It was an important win for West Ham at the weekend, with Manuel Pellegrini securing his first win as Hammers boss in a 3-1 victory over Everton. There was controversy on the bench however, as striker Lucas Perez appeared to refuse to warm up, with the 30-year-old engaged in a heated exchange goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero.
Perez did not leave the bench as Michael Antonio entering the fray instead, though after the game Pellegrini poured cold water on the notion that Perez had refused to warm up:
It is very simple. When Marko had a problem with his knee, I wanted to put Lucas on. I thought he was ready to come on but he was sitting on the bench, Antonio was ready so we were not delayed, I put Antonio on.
Perez himself took to Twitter in order to clear his name of the rumours, with his comments reinforcing his coaches' explanation:
Given the false information spread by various media that affect my image, I am forced to explain the only truth: I have never refused to warm up in my career and even less to play.
In my current club the substitutes warm up in series of three every five minutes, in continuous rotation. When Marko was injured, I was on the bench after having warmed up.
The manager called me to go out to play and when he found that it was faster to put Antonio, who at that moment was warming up in band, he changed his decision.
The images that have been misinterpreted correspond to a talk with the goalkeeper's coach, in which I never refused to warm up and explained what happened.
As a professional I accept the decision and I will continue working hard to have as many minutes as I can.
— Lucas Pérez (@LP10oficial) September 17, 2018
Perez has not seen many minutes for West Ham this season, appearing twice off the bench in the Premier League.
