Chelsea vs West Ham Premier League match preview
Chelsea team news
The bad news for the Blues does not end with just an embarrassing defeat to Arsenal. Tuchel’s side has a whole host of players injured at this moment. Of course, the injury list starts with Ben Chilwell, who will be out for the remainder of the season. Callum Hudson-Odoi is still struggling with his Achilles and might not make his highly anticipated return to the squad on Sunday.
The two players Chelsea missed desperately against the Gunners were Mateo Kovacic and Antonio Rudiger, both of whom are expected to miss out at the weekend. It may be a last minute decision on the status of the German centerback, however, as the manager stated that it will be a close call for the West Ham game. However, risking the defender might be the wrong call. A player who might not even be a Chelsea player next season, Andreas Christensen, is also doubtful for the London Derby after he was substituted during halftime against Arsenal. Midfielder Ross Barkley, who has recently recovered from COVID-19, is also a question mark after only making the bench midweek.
After the appalling defensive display against Arsenal, Tuchel may choose to change the formation given the lack of depth at the back. The German manager may play four at the back this time out with Trevoh Chalobah hopefully getting his chance after almost every other defender has shown that they don’t deserve to play in recent weeks.
West Ham team news
The injury situation doesn’t look too good for West Ham either. The Irons are only left with one fit central defender right now. Craig Dawson is the lone fit centreback as Issa Diop sustained an injury against Burnley, which means that he now joins the likes of Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna on the sidelines. Other than that, there are no other injury problems for the east Londoners.
Nevertheless, for the upcoming match against in-city rivals, Moyes may have to make a few changes. The manager will be desperate not to break up the midfield partnership of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, but he may be left with no choice and forced to play Rice at centerback on Sunday. Aaron Cresswell has also played at centreback this season for Moyes, but only in a back three, so it’s unclear whether the gaffer will be willing to put him there in a four-man defense.