Chris Sutton has taken another dig at West Ham United and their new manager, Julen Lopetegui, following the club’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.
The loss at the London Stadium on Saturday (21 September) extended the Hammers’ disappointing start to the Premier League season, and Sutton wasted no time in offering his sharp critique.
Supporters had been optimistic about a fresh, attacking brand of football under Lopetegui, especially following David Moyes’ exit.
However, Sutton, never shy of offering an opinion, was quick to mock what fans had hoped would be the “new” West Ham. Posting on X shortly after the match, Sutton wryly commented: “The new West Ham way…”
Talk of Lopetegui’s future is already beginning to circulate, with some questioning whether the former Sevilla boss might not last long at the London Stadium.
Last season, Moyes’ pragmatic, defensive approach was widely criticised for straying too far from the so-called “West Ham way.”
Yet, after the latest defeat, some supporters may be looking back at those days with a hint of nostalgia, particularly given the disjointed performance on Saturday.
Against Chelsea, the Hammers appeared completely out of sorts, with no clear strategy in attack or defence.
Chelsea, who have also had their share of struggles under Enzo Maresca this season, managed to expose West Ham’s weaknesses with relative ease.
For Lopetegui, it’s clear that significant changes are required if he is to get the fans on his side and avoid plunging into a relegation battle.
At the start of the season, the ambition was to push for European places. Instead, the Hammers now face the prospect of another fight for survival unless they turn things around quickly.
While there is still time for Lopetegui to make his mark, the early signs are not promising, and patience may soon wear thin.
For now, fans will be hoping that the poor performances so far are just teething issues as the players adapt to the new manager’s style.
However, with the international break approaching, a win in the next fixture has become crucial to steady the ship.