Chelsea made the trip to the London Stadium to face West Ham on 23 August 2025, and what began so very well for the hosts quickly descended into a tactical meltdown within a matter of minutes. Lucas Paquetá’s sixth-minute gem had set the Hammers fans dreaming. But Chelsea’s pacey young superstars and astute movement soon dismantled that advantage with clinical efficiency.
Chelsea’s strategy from that point was simple: press the centre, drag the defence out, and overwhelm the flanks. Younger, pacey forwards made runs down the channels, taking defenders out of position and opening up space. This strategy was the foundation of an overall display that ripped the West Ham shape to shreds.
Chelsea Formation Fluidity: Bold Midfield Overhaul
Enzo Maresca’s versatility was appreciated. Cole Palmer having suffered an injury in training, Chelsea substituted a 3-3-1-3 with a formation in which Moises Caicedo operated in front of the back three, with a playmaking trio of Enzo Fernández, Joao Pedro, and Estevao behind Liam Delap.
This intimidating unit allowed **the Blues**to employ not only one but two No. 10s with attacking inclinations. Joao Pedro played between backlines, dictating the game. Estevao was raw directness, running into the box at speed and causing issues for the defense. Delap did, though, play as a holding player and opened up space in the box.
Set-Piece Collapse: West Ham’s Defensive Collapse
Chelsea scored in quick succession as West Ham’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed. Three of the five were from corners, poor positioning and poor marking laid bare. Errant goalkeeping from inexperienced signing Mads Hermansen was compounded to their detriment. Hermansen, in just his second appearance since signing for the club, was guilty of both his errant presence and lack of awareness in defending until the ball had passed the goal line. This was to leave bare the lack of solidity and mental acuteness at the back of West Ham.
Marc Cucurella won possession more times than any other player in the first half vs. West Ham (5).
He also provided the assist for Chelsea's first goal. 🅰️ pic.twitter.com/kjNR6JFFSo
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) August 22, 2025
Chelsea Midfield Mayhem: Outmuscles Young Experience
Chelsea’s average age of 24 for their starting XI was instructive. That speed and tempo overwhelmed the slow, but experienced, West Ham midfield whose average age had been 27.4 years.
Caicedo and Fernandez could both have found space to play, linking with pacey strikers like Estêvão and Neto. They were that quick that they created space, and West Ham’s pace-setters could not keep up.
The Broader Context: What It Means for Both Parties
For Chelsea, this one-sided win was worth more than three points. It was a message. Their tactical adaptability, depth when required to shift at the last minute, and ruthless effectiveness is a warning that they very well might be title contenders, after all.
West Ham are in crisis, however. The humiliating home loss, after a previous 3–0 loss at Sunderland the week before, created doomsday newspaper front-page headlines of “scandalous defending” and even the spectre of early relegation. Manager Graham Potter is under examination, with fans and pundits demanding answers and signings.
Enzo Maresca’s players adjusted with haste, pressed up, and revealed every vulnerability in the home team’s shape. Delap’s pace and Joao Pedro and Estevao’s dynamism had defenders nervous throughout the night. The victory was more a statement from a Chelsea team that was getting into its rhythm than a battle. For West Ham, the loss is more a symptom of deeper issues regarding structure and morale. For Chelsea, perhaps it is a turning point, that this young vibrant squad is ready to chase much greater heights.
Author’s Insight
Chelsea’s visit to the London Stadium was the story of two moods. West Ham supporters were ecstatic when Lucas Paqueta opened the scoring, but the day’s mood at the final whistle was one of fury as their own players were jeered. The Hammers, undone by defensive errors and a lack of discipline, were no match for Chelsea’s gritty young players and tactical acumen.