Chelsea v West Ham Preview
Let me make one thing absolutely clear from the outset: I loved Leroy Rosenior. He wrote for this website, is a smashing bloke, and as a kid on the North Bank at Upton Park, he was one of my West Ham players. Proper nostalgia stuff.
His son Liam Rosenior is now in the hot seat at Chelsea, and to be fair, he’s started pretty well. That said, he’s also become something of a meme already. Press conferences clipped for social media, half-time team talks doing the rounds… it all feels a bit contrived. If I’m honest, it’s less Tony Robbins and more David Brent. Still, whatever we think of the delivery, the results are there – and Chelsea do look like a team again. Summer signing João Pedro, in particular, looked mustard against Napoli in midweek.
West Ham arrive with confidence
West Ham United will be looking to make it four wins on the spin in all competitions as we make the short trip west for a Saturday teatime derby.
Since seeing off QPR in the FA Cup, the Hammers have carried that momentum back into the league – a gritty 2–1 away win at Tottenham followed by a convincing 3–1 home victory over Sunderland. Suddenly, the mood at Rush Green feels very different.
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The midweek arrival of Adama Traoré has only added to the buzz, and attentions now turn to Stamford Bridge with a chance to claw back ground on the sides above us, including Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea form and the Rosenior effect
Chelsea come into this flying, having won four on the bounce in all competitions, including an impressive 3–2 win away at Napoli in the Champions League. Rosenior’s Brentish team talks appear to have had an immediate impact, and he’ll be eyeing another three points that could push his side into the top four.
Whatever I think of the press conference soundbites, his team are organised, aggressive, and playing with confidence – which makes this a serious test for Nuno’s side.
Team news: who’s in, who’s out?
Nuno Espírito Santo speaks to the media on Thursday and may clarify a few fitness issues.
For West Ham, Adama Traoré is eligible and available, while Łukasz Fabiański continues to be assessed after a recent back problem.
Chelsea will be without Tosin Adarabioyo, Roméo Lavia, Dário Essugo and Levi Colwill, all sidelined through injury.
Rosenior did hint that Cole Palmer could start against the Hammers: “
‘He is available to start tomorrow [against West Ham] and of course, we are really happy about that.
We want to make sure all our players are at their top level. Whether that’s Cole, Romeo Lavia, Enzo Fernandez or whoever. These are outstanding players and when they are performing at their top level, they show that.
I think the impact Cole had against Napoli was excellent and he showed really good signs on Wednesday.”
Nuno looks happy after signing Traore who is unlikely to start
Predicted West Ham XI
I don’t see Nuno tinkering here. Traoré feels like an impact option rather than a starter, and I expect the same side that did the job against Sunderland.
Position Player
GK Areola
RB Wan-Bissaka
CB Mavropanos
CB Todibo
LB Scarles
CM Fernandes
CM Souček
RM Bowen
LM Summerville
CF Pablo
CF Castellanos
Prediction: can the run continue?
Funny what two wins can do, isn’t it? Confidence is back, the work rate is there, and the Pablo–Castellanos pairing gives us a proper platform to build from.
My head says this is a tough ask at Stamford Bridge. My heart says we’re awkward enough, fit enough, and organised enough to make life uncomfortable for Chelsea.
A point would be a very good result.
A win? That would be transformative.