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Preview: Graham Potter leads West Ham against former club Chelsea

Preview: Graham Potter leads West Ham against former club Chelsea

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There’s more optimism on one side than the other in the early knockings of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, but London derbies can skew all and reset hopes. Any chance for the Hammers?

By Karl Matchett

Firepower vs. intent

Neither West Ham United nor Chelsea managed to score in their opening match of the season, though at least the Blues managed to keep a clean sheet thanks to a lesser-remembered rule and a VAR shout in their favour. West Ham were battered by newcomers Sunderland.

Graham Potter’s coaching history expressed as win percentages and points per game

While a one-off result in isolation should never be considered too much of a problem, the worry for Hammers fans will be the issues in evidence which are holdovers from last season. After a pre-season and a transfer window under Graham Potter, they would have hoped for better. An xG of less than 0.6 against a newly promoted team isn’t ideal and conceding two big chances against them is also notable – given that the Black Cats didn’t actually score either one. It could have been worse.

Which means, an increased focus on getting the ball forward and creating chances at the other end has to be the focus. Lucas Paquetá and Jarrod Bowen together should guarantee vision, movement and technical quality, but neither one registered a key pass last time out. Potter’s side needs to be more proactive as they kick off at home.

Rotation considerations

There aren’t many more-stocked squads in the top flight than Chelsea’s – as you’d expect, given the level of spending. But for all Enzo Maresca’s recent wailing at needing another centre-back, it’s further forward where he needs to find the right blend – winning matches by outscoring teams might have to be the way forward for a while.

So when does the centre-forward debate ignite? How many chances for last week’s trio behind the No. 9 – Cole Palmer, Jamie Gittens and Pedro Neto – to gel, to have cohesion, to be a go-to combination?

Youngsters, expensive signings and new arrivals all want to earn those spots, with more still to come it appears. Maresca needs those in the side to make their mark rather than juggling potential starlets until something sticks.

Recent form

One game in there’s not much to take for the Hammers – fans would have been hoping for continuity after ending 24/25 winning two of the last three. Chelsea of course won the Club World Cup only a few weeks back, but 0-0 at home to Crystal Palace was a sluggish start.

Team news

Crysencio Summerville is back in training but won’t play after missing preseason. Otherwise West Ham are fine. Chelsea are missing Levi Colwill, Roméo Lavia and Benoît Badiashile but Nicolas Jackson is back from suspension – presumably he won’t feature regardless?

Key player

If we’re looking for early season stardust it’s about time Palmer remembered why he’s so highly-rated: his last Premier League goal in open play was in mid-January. In seven months since he has one penalty and three assists – that’s not enough a player of his quality.

Prediction

West Ham to struggle in front of goal again and leave the fans wondering when the season really starts: West Ham 0-1 Chelsea.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, physical metrics, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Graham Potter leads West Ham against former club Chelsea

There’s more optimism on one side than the other in the early knockings of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, but London derbies can skew all and reset hopes. Any chance for the Hammers?

By Karl Matchett

Firepower vs. intent

Neither West Ham United nor Chelsea managed to score in their opening match of the season, though at least the Blues managed to keep a clean sheet thanks to a lesser-remembered rule and a VAR shout in their favour. West Ham were battered by newcomers Sunderland.

Graham Potter’s coaching history expressed as win percentages and points per game

While a one-off result in isolation should never be considered too much of a problem, the worry for Hammers fans will be the issues in evidence which are holdovers from last season. After a pre-season and a transfer window under Graham Potter, they would have hoped for better. An xG of less than 0.6 against a newly promoted team isn’t ideal and conceding two big chances against them is also notable – given that the Black Cats didn’t actually score either one. It could have been worse.

Which means, an increased focus on getting the ball forward and creating chances at the other end has to be the focus. Lucas Paquetá and Jarrod Bowen together should guarantee vision, movement and technical quality, but neither one registered a key pass last time out. Potter’s side needs to be more proactive as they kick off at home.

Rotation considerations

There aren’t many more-stocked squads in the top flight than Chelsea’s – as you’d expect, given the level of spending. But for all Enzo Maresca’s recent wailing at needing another centre-back, it’s further forward where he needs to find the right blend – winning matches by outscoring teams might have to be the way forward for a while.

So when does the centre-forward debate ignite? How many chances for last week’s trio behind the No. 9 – Cole Palmer, Jamie Gittens and Pedro Neto – to gel, to have cohesion, to be a go-to combination?

Youngsters, expensive signings and new arrivals all want to earn those spots, with more still to come it appears. Maresca needs those in the side to make their mark rather than juggling potential starlets until something sticks.

Recent form

One game in there’s not much to take for the Hammers – fans would have been hoping for continuity after ending 24/25 winning two of the last three. Chelsea of course won the Club World Cup only a few weeks back, but 0-0 at home to Crystal Palace was a sluggish start.

Team news

Crysencio Summerville is back in training but won’t play after missing preseason. Otherwise West Ham are fine. Chelsea are missing Levi Colwill, Roméo Lavia and Benoît Badiashile but Nicolas Jackson is back from suspension – presumably he won’t feature regardless?

Key player

If we’re looking for early season stardust it’s about time Palmer remembered why he’s so highly-rated: his last Premier League goal in open play was in mid-January. In seven months since he has one penalty and three assists – that’s not enough a player of his quality.

Prediction

West Ham to struggle in front of goal again and leave the fans wondering when the season really starts: West Ham 0-1 Chelsea.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, physical metrics, and player ratings. Download the free app here.