West Ham vs Chelsea Preview
By: Olumide Akinyemi (Onside Footy Chief Editor) Twitter: OluWenzo Instagram: olu_herodotus
Another weekend of drama looms for Chelsea fans as they prepare for a short trip to West Ham, following what has been a mixed week for Enzo Maresca’s side. With internal wranglings at the boardroom level temporarily set aside, the Italian can focus on securing a positive result at the notoriously challenging London Stadium.
In their last outing against Bournemouth, Chelsea had to dig deep. While the performance didn’t instill much confidence in the starting front three, substitutes Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku combined to deliver a crucial three points. However, this has reignited the long-standing debate surrounding Nkunku’s best position. Is he a traditional striker—a true number nine, or is he better suited as a false nine or a supporting striker?
Unfortunately, the statistics don’t seem to favor Nkunku as an out-and-out forward. In his most prolific season to date, the 2021/2022 Bundesliga campaign, Nkunku netted 20 goals with an average of 0.66 goals per 90 minutes, playing in a deeper role behind Yussuf Poulsen in Leipzig’s attack.
Enzo Maresca, a meticulous tactician, is likely well aware of Nkunku’s numbers. But Chelsea’s pressing issue remains—who will consistently provide goals? So far, neither Nkunku nor Nicolas Jackson has solved this problem. There may be some lingering regret over missing out on Victor Osimhen before the transfer window closed, though that thought was seemingly dismissed when Jackson was handed a long-term contract extension.
Chelsea’s recent strategy of offering lengthy contracts may be part of a broader plan for sustained success, protecting their assets for the long term under Todd Boehly’s leadership. Maresca seemed to hint at this in his recent press conference, revealing that his objectives this season do not necessarily include securing a top-four finish. While this might align with the owners’ vision, for a fan base accustomed to the relentless success of the Roman Abramovich era, the prospect of another season without Champions League football could be difficult to accept.
Despite heavy spending over the last three transfer windows, Chelsea has only managed 12th and 6th place finishes, leading to concerns that a culture of mediocrity could be taking hold at Stamford Bridge. Maresca knows full well that if things take a turn for the worse, he will ultimately be the fall guy. There’s no better time to kickstart Chelsea’s resurgence than at West Ham, in what could be a turning point.
Should Maresca stick with Jackson up front or start Nkunku? The answer may lie with summer loanee Jadon Sancho. If the Manchester United winger can establish a strong partnership with Jackson, it could unlock the Senegalese forward’s full potential. West Ham, under new manager Julen Lopetegui, has endured a tough start to the season but managed a late draw against Fulham in their last outing, while Chelsea secured their second league win with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bournemouth.
Although Chelsea suffered defeat at the London Stadium last season, they will be confident heading into this weekend’s clash. The Blues have triumphed over West Ham 30 times in 56 Premier League meetings, including that humiliating 5-0 defeat for the Hammers under Mauricio Pochettino last season.
TEAM NEWS
West Ham: Julen Lopetegui has doubts over former Chelsea man Emerson Palmieri and Niclas Fullkrug. Emerson is 50-50 but Fullkrug is likely to be kept waiting for his full Premier League debut due to fitness concerns.
Chelsea: Right-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto remain sidelined by injury, meaning Axel Disasi is expected to continue in that role. Romeo Lavia may not be fit enough to play having struggled with a hamstring issue but he is closing in on a return to matchday availability.
Jadon Sancho was instrumental in Chelsea nicking a late winner at Bournemouth, setting up Christopher Nkunku’s strike after replacing Pedro Neto at half-time. The England winger could displace either the Portuguese or Noni Maduekwe in the starting line-up
PREDICTION:
It’s been a tough start to life for West Ham under Lopetegui but expect them to put up a stiff resistance against a Chelsea side who are yet to find their rythmn under Enzo Maresca.
This will be close and as such a draw is a likely possibility for these two London clubs.
West Ham 1 Chelsea 1
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