West Ham United are set to host Chelsea in a crucial Premier League clash at the London Stadium on Saturday. Both teams are desperate for a positive result, and the pressure is mounting on West Ham’s Julen Lopetegui and Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca to deliver.
Chelsea are facing several selection issues, with up to six key players expected to miss the match.
However, given the size and depth of their squad, the Blues are still capable of fielding a strong side. That said, some players’ absence will inevitably be felt, particularly in a fixture of this magnitude.
For West Ham, the news is more encouraging. They’ve received a significant boost with the revelation that Emerson Palmieri’s injury, picked up last weekend, is not as serious as initially feared. This will come as a relief to Lopetegui, who is hoping his side can capitalise on Chelsea’s troubles.
Chelsea, however, were dealt a blow today as they confirmed some bad news ahead of the match.
Blues fans were initially buoyed by the sight of Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia participating in training this week, sparking hopes that both could be fit to face West Ham.
But those hopes have since been dashed. Chelsea released a statement on their official X account, revealing that Gusto and Lavia are still undergoing modified training sessions, meaning neither is likely to feature at the weekend.
The statement read: “Romeo Lavia and Malo Gusto continued their rehabilitation on Tuesday with another modified session as they continue their recovery from injury.” With the match only days away, it is highly improbable that either will be fit in time to play.
Chelsea’s injury concerns are further compounded by the appointment of Stuart Attwell as the lead VAR official for the game. Attwell’s involvement in past Chelsea fixtures has not always gone down well with the club’s supporters, adding another layer of anxiety for the Blues ahead of the match.
For West Ham, this is a pivotal fixture. Their start to the 2024/25 season has been underwhelming, with just four points from their opening four games.
However, considering they’ve already faced two of last season’s top four and competed in two fiercely contested London derbies, it’s not a disastrous beginning.
That said, a defeat to Chelsea would undoubtedly alter the perception of their start to the season, while a victory could significantly boost morale. Chelsea may be a formidable opponent, but with several key players unavailable, West Ham might just have the upper hand this weekend.
If Lopetegui’s side can seize the opportunity and produce their best performance, they have every chance of coming away with a vital win. As the Hammers prepare for a tough test, all eyes will be on how they respond to the challenge Chelsea presents.