Lucas Paqueta, it is fair to say, is not enjoying the fairytale return he would have hoped for after leaving West Ham United for his beloved Flamengo on transfer deadline day.
The glass slipper has shattered, leaving Lucas Paqueta’s reputation limping and bloodied.
Flamengo’s prodigal son missed a sitter on his first game back in the 2-0 Supercopa defeat by Corinthians. He blazed over at 1-0 down, and saw the opposition go racing down the other end to seal the victory mere moments later.
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I’m not going to lie, I’m underwhelmed…
Credit: Getty Images/Rob Newell – CameraSport
The closest the former West Ham United playmaker came to stamping his authority on his first Brazilian Serie A outing since 2018, meanwhile, came when he picked up a fourth minute booking in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Internacional.
Flamengo, as a result, are already performing below expectations alongside fellow slow-starters Cruzeiro. Neither have tasted a win so far in 2026.
Speaking of Cruzeiro, they have just ruled out a return to Brazil for another player who spent the first half of the campaign at the London Stadium; Igor Julio.
Sign up for free here to tell us how you feel about Lucas Paqueta!Cruzeiro rule out signing former West Ham United loanee Igor Julio
Igor is back at Brighton and Hove Albion after his season-long loan deal was terminated ahead of schedule last month. The big Brazilian only started one Premier League match under Nuno Espirito Santo.
Nuno took to giving Igor’s minutes to Ezra Mayers, too; the Hammers boss feeling that time would better be spent developing the talents of a homegrown 18-year-old rather than a temporary acquisition owned by a top-flight adversary.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Igor is unlikely to have much of a role to play back at Brighton either.
Escape routes can still be found – the Turkish transfer window remains open for another few hours, while clubs in Australia and Mexico can sign players until later this month – but approaches for the former Red Bull Salzburg and Fiorentina defender are few and far between.
Palmeiras reportedly held talks with Igor Julio’s camp a couple of weeks ago. Little has happened since in that regard. The aforementioned Cruzeiro have also now ruled out a swoop for the 27-year-old from Minas Gerais.
“We believe the squad is complete,” Bruno Spindel, Cruzeiro’s football executive, tells HGPlay on YouTube. “We don’t plan on bringing in more players.
But obviously, we’re always keeping an eye on the market, because in football you live it hour by hour, day by day,”
“There was no interest in Igor Julio.”
Who should replace Todibo on Saturday?! 🤔
Keep in mind that Axel Disasi hasn’t played in months 😬
Credit: Getty Images/Rob Newell – CameraSport/Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC Axel Disasi could make his debut at Burnley with Jean-Clair Todibo out
Unless another Brazilian outfit takes an interest, or there is a very late offer from Turkey, Australia or Mexico, Igor is at risk of ending the 2025/26 campaign with only one league start to his name.
That is still one more than Axel Disasi, though.
Chelsea misfit Disasi was unveiled at West Ham after a delayed deadline day transfer. He could make his debut – and his first league appearance since last April – with Jean-Clair Todibo suspended for Saturday’s trip to second-bottom Burnley.
Disasi promises to bring ‘aggression’ and ‘dominance’ to Nuno’s backline. Two attributes the Hammers have lacked for much of a miserable domestic campaign.
“I think it was the right move for me because, as everyone knows from my situation, I needed to get some minutes,” explains Disasi, who escapes the Stamford Bridge ‘bomb squad’.
“The club gave me the opportunity to show my quality on the pitch. I spoke with all the people here, and I feel that they really wanted me. So, that’s why I’m here today, and I can’t wait to get going.
“I just want to bring my personality and my character on the pitch. I like to be dominant and aggressive, but at the same time, outside the pitch, I’m someone who can laugh with the guys and make jokes.
“I just want to bring myself and make sure that we achieve our goals.
“I would say that I’m aggressive and dominant. I love to attack as well with the ball when I have the space. I love to attack. I will just try to bring this to the team and show my character on the pitch and off the pitch.”
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