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.
.
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