West Ham were absolutely played off the park in an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League which could have been by more.
It’s a new season, new manager, a host of new players and an apparent new philosophy but the same old West Ham.
Chelsea brutally exposed glaring weaknesses in the West Ham team which have been prevalent in every game.
The Hammers had two wins, two defeats and a draw from their opening five games under Julen Lopetegui.
But it has been noted just how much the team has ridden its luck in every match.
Chelsea played the game at walking pace at times before cutting through the Hammers like a hot knife through butter.
The score could and should have been far worse as West Ham showed an alarming lack of passion, intensity and commitment.
And this against one of the club’s biggest rivals.
Lopetegui’s strange tactics, with Edson Alvarez operating as a libero grande centre-back despite having next to no pace, were undone within three minutes.
West Ham’s best player subbed off in Lopetegui disaster-class
If Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has been a figure of fun in the Premier League, West Ham made him look like the original Ronaldo at the London Stadium.
He twice exposed West Ham’s high line to put the Blues 2-0 up.
Whatever Lopetegui said at half-time clearly had little impact because Cole Palmer made it 3-0 just four minutes into the second half.
The game then descended into match of pre-season intensity.
There were no discernible patterns of play, cohesion or evidence of progress under the manager.
West Ham fans know it will take time for Lopetegui to knit this new-look squad together.
But it has been a very underwhelming start and he was tactically embarrassed by Enzo Maresca.
Lopetegui subbed off Guido Rodriguez in the first half. But the reality is that was merely an admission from the manager he had got this miserably wrong.
The most puzzling of all his decisions came in the second half.
West Ham’s best player was subbed off in a Lopetegui disaster-class.
And the Spaniard was left under no illusions of the task at hand as he was roundly booed for withdrawing Crysencio Summerville.
Fans have been calling for the Dutchman to start. And he did not disappoint as he was the only West Ham player – perhaps along with Mohammed Kudus – who looked in any way, shape or form a threat.
Here’s our West Ham player ratings for the dismal defeat at home to Chelsea, the club’s three consecutive home Premier League loss under the new boss.
Cry-ing shame over Summerville as Lopetegui is jeered
Areola – 6/10: Alphonse Areola is the undisputed number one. But he allowed Jackson to nutmeg him from a tight angle for the first goal. His distribution was not great either. Areola did make two stops which kept the score down.
Wan-Bissaka – 5/10: Against a better side Aaron Wan-Bissaka perhaps showed why Man United felt he was lacking going forward. Unfortunately against Chelsea, he was also caught too far up the pitch to make much-needed recovery tackles as Lopetegui played him more like a wingback. There’s no doubt he’s one of West Ham’s better players but not Wan-Bissaka’s best day at the office.
Mavropanos – 3/10: Arguably at fault – or at least partially to blame – for all three goals. Konstantinos Mavropanos is another many fans wanted to see dropped for Jean-Clair Todibo. Especially after his error for Fulham’s goal last week. He did little to justify his place again. Those calls for Todibo will now grow even louder.
Kilman – 4/10: His worst game yet not helped by the bizarre tactics of the manager to have Alvarez dropping into centre-back when West Ham had the ball. It seemed to throw Kilman – who has been brilliant so far – out of kilter. He gave the ball away too often and was also poor at the back. But he wasn’t helped by those in front of him.
Emerson – 6.5/10: One of West Ham’s better performers on a dismal day. Was linking up well with Summerville on the left. Chelsea did not have much joy on Emerson’s side which shows what a good job he did.
Rodriguez’s first half hooking was on Hammers boss
Rodriguez – 3.5/10: Being subbed off in the first half would normally mean a lower rating for Rodriguez. He was poor but had been no worse than anyone else. So it is on Lopetegui that he felt he had got things so wrong he had to bring him off. There were hopes Rodriguez and Alvarez could forge a great partnership given they’ve played together at Club America. Against Chelsea they looked like they’d never even met. The Blues waltzed through the middle of the park with ease.
Alvarez – 4/10: Many are starting to question what Alvarez actually does. One week he looks like the player West Ham need to build the team around, the next he’s anonymous. Poor and sauntered off when subbed with West Ham losing the game.
Paqueta – 5/10: Tried to make things happen but another underwhelming performance where he either picked the wrong passes, gave the ball away or held on to it for too long.
Kudus – 7/10: Mohammed Kudus was West Ham’s best player along with Summerville, a constant threat when he has the ball. He has done everything but score this season and it looks like that’s starting to weigh heavy on his shoulders. Did not get the ball anywhere near enough in the first half.
Summerville – 7.5/10: Unlucky not to get a penalty for the Hammers, Summerville showed why fans have been championing his cause for a start. Very effective and super sharp. Says everything about his performance that Lopetegui was jeered by West Ham fans for taking him off in the second half.
Bowen – 6.5/10: Always trying his best and working hard for the team. But this was a rare off day for captain Jarrod Bowen. His balls into the box were unusually poor and when he did get a chance to score he blazed his shot over. Further proof that Bowen won’t be the answer up front. Certainly not long term.
SUBS:
Soucek – 6.5/10: One of West Ham’s better performers when he replaced Rodriguez. Had a shot on target and won some important headers at both ends to stop and set up attacks.
Antonio – 6/10: Many West Ham fans got what they wanted as Antonio was dropped. Came on and showed a better attitude than he did at Fulham. Got in some good positions but takes far too long to shoot or pass in key moments and when he does it’s all too telegraphed.
Soler, Irving and Cresswell – 6/10: Not really on long enough to make a huge impression Soler looked tidy and Irving managed a shot at goal too.
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