Typically, two games into a Premier League season is far too early for widespread pessimism. However, observing West Ham`s recent performances makes it challenging to avoid anticipating the worst. Many at the London Stadium seemed to share this bleak outlook, bracing for defeat well before the match officially began.
Their pre-match gloom was quickly justified. Not long ago, West Ham would have fiercely defended an early lead, such as Lucas Paqueta`s powerful sixth-minute goal. Even stronger Chelsea teams would have struggled to break them down. Yet, Enzo Maresca`s Chelsea, despite losing Cole Palmer to injury during warm-up, effortlessly took control, securing a dominant 5-1 victory that should trigger serious concerns throughout West Ham.
This club, which has previously experienced relegation despite feeling `too good to go down,` must now face the stark reality that this squad is highly capable of sinking to dangerous lows in the top tier. Regardless of whether they played a back five or four, their defensive line appeared utterly disjointed. The London Stadium pitch, already large due to the surrounding running track, felt even more expansive as Estevao made his debut, finding ample space to impress.
Chelsea players found acres of space across the field. This passive defense culminated in a ludicrous moment where Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, just five yards apart, exchanged ten unchallenged passes, with no West Ham player even attempting to close them down. While a cautious approach can work if the box is defended with discipline, this passivity permeated even the most critical areas. West Ham displayed a severe lack of aggression and organization. While ownership and the sporting hierarchy, who have squandered the Declan Rice transfer funds, bear significant responsibility for the club`s current predicament, manager Graham Potter must also be held accountable for the team`s abysmal spirit and structural breakdowns.
Their defensive frailties were particularly evident from corners. Previously, set pieces were a strength for West Ham, often leading to physical dominance. Yet, just fifteen minutes into the game, while holding a lead, Marc Cucurella reached a near-post delivery ahead of any West Ham defender. His precise flick-on allowed Joao Pedro to score his first Premier League goal, signaling a promising start for him. Niclas Füllkrug`s superb volley briefly offered hope, but it was disallowed by VAR for an offside. Further defensive lapses saw Aaron Wan-Bissaka beaten first by Pedro Neto and then by Enzo Fernandez, who both delivered low crosses for goals. While it might seem like a rare poor outing for one of the league`s top defensive right-backs, the overall performance suggested far more profound issues that cannot be easily dismissed.
The players failed to execute fundamental defensive tasks; opponents freely ran off their markers, and second and third balls consistently fell to Chelsea players, with Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah further capitalizing from corners. Many fans, having sought brief halftime solace, decided they had seen enough and left early. Some even exited through alternative means following a concerning clash between stewards and a small group of angry supporters, setting an alarming precedent for the coming months. Niclas Füllkrug had lamented in April that the team `just sink` after taking the lead, and this performance ranked among the most embarrassing capitulations.
As Chelsea`s goals continued in the second half, their fans chanted, `You`re going down,` a sentiment that felt more prophetic than provocative. Just two years prior, this West Ham team combined formidable resolve with creative flair to secure European silverware. Tonight, their primary strategy for advancing the ball appeared limited to Paqueta dropping deep and lofting passes towards Füllkrug.
The warning signs were evident last season when West Ham recorded the worst non-penalty expected goal difference among teams that avoided relegation. A team lacking creativity has not yet replaced Mohamed Kudus, and Callum Wilson doesn`t seem to be the solution to their decade-long struggle for a prolific No. 9. When Potter mentioned past transfer decisions causing him issues, one might recall Jean Clair-Todibo, whom West Ham were reportedly compelled to sign for nearly $50 million after an initial loan last summer. The only positive aspects of their summer business were El Hadji Malick Diouf`s energetic performance on the left flank and Hermansen`s debut, which, despite a shaky start, wasn`t much worse than some of his Leicester appearances.
On the touchline, a despondent Potter observed the unfolding disaster. Having carefully considered his return to management after Chelsea, he may have found himself in an even tougher situation. Troubling realities seemed to be dawning on him, though West Ham supporters had anticipated them long ago.
