Dance king Paquetá is hoping to see David Moyes showing off his moves if West Ham United win the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The No11 has been increasingly in step with his Hammers teammates in recent weeks, producing a succession of impressive performances in Premier League victories over Nottingham Forest, Southampton, AFC Bournemouth and Manchester United.
Paquetá celebrated goals against Bournemouth and Liverpool with a trademark Brazilian funk carioca dance – joined by Nayef Aguerd – and witnessed Moyes lead the squad in a chorus of country/dance crossover Cotton Eye Joe following the wins over the Cherries and Red Devils.
“Ah yes, it's a good song!” he laughed, when asked what he made of the Club’s now traditional dressing room celebration. “We know it well here but I'm still learning! I'm glad to have the fans by our side and to be able to celebrate when we win.”
“He (Moyes) promised he'll dance if we win the Conference League. I hope we can win it because I want to see him dance!”
Paquetá himself has had plenty of reasons to dust off his dancing shoes in recent weeks, with his form improving and influence on the team growing now he is, in his own words. ‘100 per cent adapted’ to the intensity of English football.
“I think I've been playing well,” he said, with confidence rather than arrogance. “I'm getting better each game and I'm helping the team more. I hope every time I step out onto the pitch is my new best game. That's what I want: to do - my best each match.”
The 25-year-old was at his best in Sunday’s win over Manchester United, outshining compatriot Casemiro in midfield and helping the Hammers secure three big points in their bid to secure Premier League safety.
Now, with that close to being secured, Paquetá is looking forward to Thursday’s UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final first-leg tie with AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands at London Stadium.
The midfielder’s Europa League hopes were ironically ended by the Irons last season, when his Olympique Lyonnais were eliminated by the Londoners at the quarter-final stage, but this time he hopes to go all the way and lift the Conference League trophy.
“It was a great match, Manchester United are a great team,” he observed. “I really like to play these kinds of matches against the big teams. We played really well, we defended and we attacked Manchester United too. I feel we deserved the win and that's why we got the three points.
“Our goal on Sunday was to get the three points and we managed that. Now we're in a semi-final and have the chance to reach a final and win a trophy which is special. We need to do our best to achieve that.”
