One West Ham player was happy after Chelsea defeat at least – ‘It feels amazing’

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West Ham United were well beaten by Chelsea in the Premier League at the London Stadium on Saturday.

And despite numerous messages of disappointment coming out of the London Stadium, one West Ham player was very happy indeed on a personal level.

Julen Lopetegui was immensely frustrated with his side’s performance during the 3-0 Premier League defeat to Chelsea, and he even apologised to the Hammers fans after the game.

West Ham were never in the game from the first whistle right up to the last.

It was a really poor display from the Hammers players, one devoid of any kind of courage, fight, hunger or quality.

Chelsea were far superior to us, but the most worrying thing about the game was that it looked like the players didn’t actually know what they were supposed to be doing.

There doesn’t seem to be any clear direction or footballing philosophy when West Ham take to the pitch right now.

Sure, it’s still very early days of Lopetegui reign at the London Stadium, but something needs to change very quickly indeed.

Saturday was an awful day for the Hammers. I’m just hoping that it will be a big turning point in our season.

That said, one West Ham player was more than happy with his afternoon’s work…

Andy Irving delighted after West Ham lost to Chelsea

West Ham signed Andy Irving from SK Austria Klagenfurt on transfer deadline day back in the summer of 2023.

The 24-year-old was immediately loaned back to the Austrian outfit, but returned to the London Stadium earlier this summer.

Andy Irving was heavily linked with a move away from West Ham in the summer, but Julen Lopetegui allegedly really wanted to keep him at the London Stadium.

He actually looked decent at times during pre-season, but had to wait until Saturday just gone before he was given his first taste of Premier League football.

Lopetegui brought Irving on in place of Lucas Paqueta in the 72nd minute against Chelsea.

And the Scot highlighted his delight at being given his Premier League debut for the Hammers, when speaking to WHUFC.com.

“It feels amazing to have made my debut,” he said. “Since I signed for the Club the biggest thing for me was playing in the Premier League for West Ham, so I’m really happy that I’ve been able to do that and that my hard work has paid off.“

Good luck to him, it must have been a great feeling for him on Saturday.

However, whether he’s given more chances to prove himself during games where the outcome is still hanging in the balance remains to be seen.

Does Andy Irving really have a future at West Ham?

I’m sorry to sound harsh, but I just don’t think that the 24-year-old is of the required standard to play Premier League football.

He is a decent footballer, and he knocks the ball around with efficiency.

However, I’m just not sure that Irving actually offers anything that one of our youth players couldn’t give us.

The Scottish midfielder lacks any kind of physicality, and doesn’t break the lines with his passing.

I just feel like you need something special to be a success in the Premier League. West Ham midfielder Andy Irving doesn’t have that little bit of extra quality needed as far as I’m concerned.

I would be absolutely shocked if the former Hearts man is still at the London Stadium beyond the end of next summer’s transfer window.