Last updated on August 23, 2025
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London derbies are never forgiving, and the Blues will be under the microscope again.
Image credit: Soccer Facts
There’s a quiet urgency building around Chelsea as they prepare to face West Ham at the London Stadium this Friday.
The season is barely underway, but both teams already bear the weight of underwhelming starts: Chelsea limped to a goalless draw with Crystal Palace; West Ham suffered a heavy home defeat to Sunderland .
This next match feels like early clarity — a chance to gain momentum, to settle nerves, and to show real intent.
With defensive options stretched and familiar faces returning to the fold, the Blues are eager to shift the season’s narrative before it truly gets going.
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The State of Play
It’s not been the start Hammers fans were hoping for.
A 3–0 defeat at Sunderland on opening weekend exposed worrying cracks—defensive lapses, lack of cutting edge, and questions around Graham Potter’s tactical setup.
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Already, the pressure is mounting. Facing his former club only adds spice to the occasion.
Chelsea, fresh from a Club World Cup triumph, stumbled out of the gates with a frustrating 0–0 draw against Crystal Palace.
For Enzo Maresca’s men, the performance lacked urgency, and with expectations sky-high this season, fans are demanding a response.
London derbies are never forgiving, and the Blues will be under the microscope again.
Team News
- West Ham: Crysencio Summerville (thigh) and Luis Guilherme (shoulder) are sidelined—two big misses for creativity and pace.
- Chelsea: Defensive problems continue with Levi Colwill (ACL), Benoît Badiashile, and Tosin Adarabioyo unavailable. Romeo Lavia also misses out in midfield.
Tactical Preview
Chelsea is likely to adopt a measured approach, balancing defensive caution with controlled attacking bursts.
Maresca’s strategy may focus on exploiting West Ham’s vulnerabilities on the flanks while maintaining a solid central spine.
West Ham will aim to press high and challenge Chelsea early, though gaps in their forward line may limit sustained threats.
The midfield battle will be key: whichever side dominates there could dictate the tempo.
Potential Line-up
West Ham
Areola; Wan-Bissaka,Todibo,Aguerd,Kilman,Diouf,Ward-Prowse,Potts,Paqueta,Bowen
Fullkrug
Chelsea
- Goalkeeper: Robert Sánchez
- Right Back: Gusto
- Center Backs: Hato (or Chalobah)
- Left Back: Cucurella
- Defensive Midfielders: Moisés Caicedo, Dário Essugo
- Right Wing: EstevĂŁo Willian
- Attacking Midfield: Cole Palmer
- Left Wing: Jamie Gittens
- Striker: JoĂŁo Pedro (or Liam Delap)
This clash between West Ham and Chelsea feels like more than just another early-season fixture — it’s a test of where both sides stand in their respective journeys.
Chelsea, under Maresca, are still finding fluency in attack, and their biggest challenge remains turning dominance into goals.
Without a clinical edge, they risk letting opponents off the hook.
If Chelsea can be more decisive in the final third, their quality should tell.
But if wastefulness creeps in again, Leeds have enough spirit to punish them.
