West Ham United midfielder Guido Rodriguez was hauled off before half-time during the Hammers’ 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at the London Stadium, with journalist Jacob Steinberg criticising the club’s recruitment of the Argentine.
Nicolas Jackson’s brace gave Chelsea a comfortable lead at the break, before Cole Palmer added a third just 71 seconds into the second half, sealing a convincing win for Enzo Maresca’s side.
West Ham, meanwhile, have now managed just one victory in their opening five Premier League matches, with all three of their home games ending in defeat. Julen Lopetegui is now under “massive pressure” to turn things around.
The club had made a significant number of signings over the summer, and with that level of investment, there were expectations for a stronger start under Lopetegui.
However, results have been disappointing, and Rodriguez’s struggles have encapsulated the frustration many fans feel.
Rodriguez, signed on a free transfer from Real Betis, has endured a difficult start to life in east London.
He was taken off after just 38 minutes against Chelsea, with Tomas Soucek replacing him as West Ham attempted to stem the tide.
The early substitution came as a blow for the 30-year-old, who has started every Premier League game for the Hammers so far but has yet to find his rhythm.
Steinberg, writing on X, was quick to criticise the decision to bring in Rodriguez, using the substitution to highlight West Ham’s recruitment missteps this summer.
“West Ham’s recruitment… 30yo midfielder signed on a free from La Liga struggling with pace of the PL, hooked before half time in fifth game… who could have predicted it,” Steinberg wrote.
He went on to highlight a broader issue within the West Ham squad, noting how the loss of Declan Rice has affected the team’s physicality and speed in midfield.
“Big problem for West Ham for a long time was a lack of pace and physicality in midfield. Moyes sorted it with Rice and Soucek. It’s amazing they’ve reverted to slow and ponderous since the sale of Rice. Alvarez overrated. Constantly out of position, booked too much,” he added.
Rodriguez joined West Ham after spending five years at Real Betis, where he became a key figure in the Spanish side’s midfield.
Lopetegui pushed for his acquisition, seeing the Argentine as a player who could bring experience and control to his squad.
But so far, the move has yet to pay off, with Rodriguez struggling to adapt to the pace and physical demands of the Premier League.
West Ham’s summer signings have largely failed to hit the ground running. Niclas Fullkrug, who arrived for £27.5 million, has yet to start a league game or score a goal, while £25 million winger Crysencio Summerville, who made his first start, was substituted for Michail Antonio just nine minutes into the second half.
With results continuing to disappoint, Lopetegui will need his new recruits to step up quickly if he is to ease the growing pressure at the London Stadium.