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CHELSEA v West Ham: Preview

Date: Monday 3rd February 2025

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Kick-off: 20:00 GMT

Tonight’s game sees the return of Graham Potter to Stamford Bridge as we take on West Ham with him newly installed as their manager. Whilst our former manager’s new side drew 1-1 against Aston Villa last time out, our current manager stood and watched us follow the usual script as we went a goal up against City but went on to lose anyway.

Man City and Newcastle both lost at the weekend, so you’d imagine there might be some expectation of us taking the opportunity to get ourselves back into the top four but I wouldn’t hold out too much hope of that.  

Maresca seems no more than a bystander in ‘the project’, watching on whilst they sell everything but the silverware, ridding the club of anything resembling experience, in favour of being the only Premier League side not to have given a single minute to a player aged 30 or older this season. Not that there’s anything wrong with players under 30, obviously, as long as you’re a bit picky about the quality. Whilst there is much criticism for Nicolas Jackson, his 11 goals in 14 London derbies is the most of any top-flight player since he joined Chelsea at the start of last season, at the other end of the pitch meanwhile, Robert Sanchez has made five mistakes leading to a goal in the League so far this season, and yet he continues to get 90 minutes every week.

So, if he picks him yet again tonight, it won’t be a happy birthday to me.

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MANAGER’S VIEWS

Going into tonight’s game, Enzo Maresca, says “They [West Ham] are very aggressive. I have watched the four games with Graham in charge and they try to be very aggressive – even in the last game against Aston Villa. So it will be a tough game like always and in terms of our tactical approach, we have two days to prepare the game and we will see.

We need a response and need a good performance to win the game but not because it’s after the Manchester City game. It’s because we always try to do the same and for sure it could be a good match and a good moment to get three points, especially at home.”

West Ham manager, Graham Potter, meanwhile, says “I didn’t want to lose my job. But at the same time I look back now and maybe it’s the best thing that happened to me. Maybe the next 10-20 years is going to be great because of the experience I’ve had. I just look at it as a learning experience. I’ve got no bad feelings towards Chelsea, I’ve still got a lot of good relationships with the people there.

But I’m just looking forward to the journey I’m on now with West Ham at this great club and getting that connection with the supporters, working with the team and building something that we’re really excited about and proud about here.”

SQUAD NEWS

For Chelsea, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Mykhaylo remain out. If ever a player looks like he needs time out, its Robert Sanchez but Maresca is likely to remain bloody minded enough to forfeit another game with him wandering around the goal like a tourist.

For West Ham, Lucas Paqueta (groin) faces a fitness test, ND Crysencio Summerville (hamstring) is doubtful. Jarrod Bowen (foot) could return, and Konstantinos Mavropanos is available again after suspension.

TEAMS

CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson

WEST HAM (Possible line-up): Areola; Coufal, Kilman, Mavropanos; Wan-Bissaka, Soucek, Alvarez, Emerson; Paqueta, Kudus; Bowen

LAST SEASON

Chelsea 5-0 West Ham (5th May 2024)

CURRENT FORM (PL)

Chelsea: LLDDWD

West Ham: WLLWLD

OTHER STUFF

  • Chelsea have won the past two Premier League meetings.
  • Chelsea have won 31 Premier League matches against West Ham.
  • West Ham’s only win in their last 18 top-flight games at Stamford Bridge was in 2019.
  • Chelsea have followed a run of five straight top-flight victories with one win in their subsequent seven.
  • Chelsea have scored the opening goal in five of their past six league games but have gone on to win only one of those.
  • West Ham have won just two of their past eight league games.
  • West Ham have conceded nine goals in the opening 10 minutes of matches this season.

PREDICTION

Sportsmole: Chelsea 3-1 West Ham

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