What Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has just done will give West Ham a huge boost for the east vs west London derby.
West Ham welcome rivals Chelsea to the London Stadium on Saturday for what is set to be a huge game for both teams.
It is putting it politely to say West Ham and Chelsea have fallen below expectations in the Premier League this season.
The Hammers and the Blues have frankly been abysmal in the league leading to speculation over the future of both their managers.
So there is plenty riding on this particular London derby.
There are some signs West Ham might be slowly but surely turning a corner in their battle for survival under David Moyes. And they recorded a 1-1 draw at Champions League hopefuls Newcastle last time out which was a positive result.
Meanwhile Chelsea can’t win away and are under increasing pressure with their mammoth £600m spend weighing heavy on Graham Potter in mid-table – a full 10 points off Newcastle in fourth.
Chelsea are clearly at the start of a major rebuild while West Ham themselves have undergone a huge turnover of 24 players since the summer.
The actions of the new Chelsea hierarchy have raised eyebrows across the football world.
And what Chelsea owner Boehly has just done will give West Ham a huge boost for the derby clash.
With a ridiculously swollen squad packed full of top quality players and egos, Potter is already struggling to foster a harmony, chemistry and team spirit at Chelsea.
So the last thing he needed before a big game against fierce old rivals West Ham was the owner publicly throwing one of his big money signings under the bus.
Wing-back Marc Cucurella has struggled since his eye-watering £60million summer move to Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel. West Ham had actually shown an interest in the Spaniard during his time at Brighton but were blown out of the water when Man City and Chelsea entered the running and made his transfer nothing short of farcical.
As well as being made something of a scapegoat for frustrated Chelsea fans this season, it has been revealed recently Cucureall is dealing with personal problems too.
Things got worse for the Spaniard this week when Chelsea co-owner Boehly ‘liked’ a tweet of a Football.London article stating Cucurella was simply not good enough to play for the Blues (Evening Standard).
He then appeared to double down on the Spaniard by liking a tweet describing Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen as a ‘starboy’ after he won the Championship player of the month award on loan at Burnley.
Make no mistake, the owner’s actions will not have gone down well with Chelsea’s players.
They will not have taken kindly to seeing a teammate treated in such a way and will be wondering if they will be next should they not perform.
It piles the pressure on the squad ahead of the trip to the London Stadium and West Ham will be hugely encouraged.
Team spirit is so crucial to any successful team. And Boehly appears to have rolled a hand grenade into the Chelsea changing room.
West Ham will now be hoping they can take advantage and do their survival hopes the world of good in the process.
MORE WEST HAM NEWS
West Ham would’ve ‘battered’ Rangers in Europa League final says former Prem star.
‘No love lost’ Potter stokes fire ahead of West Ham vs Chelsea – at least someone knows.
Moyes delivers glum injury update for Chelsea after Zouma rumours.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
