Enzo Maresca is convinced that the transfer speculation has influenced the shape of Chelsea in recent weeks, because they want to turn things around against West Ham on Monday.
Chelsea was tipped as title candidates in mid -December, but since she defeated Brentford on December 15, they have only won one of their last seven games in the Premier League to fall to sixth place in the table.
At the start of the weekend they stay only one point behind the top four, but they could slide the table off the table, depending on other results, and Maresca admitted that it was no coincidence that his team was a rough plaster around it Transfer window hit.
“100% [it affects them]. 100% for me. But not only we, all teams, because ultimately, [the players] His people, “said Maresca.
“Even if they say,” No, I'm professional, I'm focused on this, “if they are talking about you and different clubs, then the focus is not 100%. This can be something [to explain the drop in form].
“The other who I think probably loses wes [Fofana]. So these can be reasons why [the form] Is different, but the good thing is that we still play a good game, we still create opportunities, the big difference for me has been in the box. “
Full focus on Monday evening. pic.twitter.com/b4hbdwk8na
– Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) January 30, 2025
In the meantime, Graham Potter returns to Stamford Bridge as opposite manager since he was fired as Chelsea manager in April 2023.
West Ham has only won one of their matches since his arrival (3-2 V Fulham), but had bad luck not to take their first way victory under him in a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last weekend.
“I'm looking forward to it. I have been back there as an expert, but now I go back as a head coach at another team,” said Potter.
“I had some good times in Chelsea and some special nights against AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. In general, the results were not ideal during my time at the club, but I never had a problem with everyone at Chelsea .
“I wish them the best as a club, and I am grateful for my time there because it is part of my journey. I am here and there I am happy with it.”
Players to watch
Chelsea – Nicolas Jackson
Nicolas Jackson scored 11 goals in his last 14 Premier League London Derby matches, with this total of 11 most players in London in the past two seasons.
West Ham – Mohammed Kudus
Mohammed Kudus has completed the most dribbles of each player in the Premier League this season (57). He completed 6+ dribbles in three Premier League matches in 2024-25, with only Jeremy Doku from Manchester City more often (four).
The boss who looks at @topps_uk training shots pic.twitter.com/zjs0ixcznf
– West Ham United (@westham) January 31, 2025
Match forecast: Chelsea Win
Chelsea won their last two Premier League meetings with West Ham with a total score of 8-0-they last won three in a row against the Hammers between 2010 and 2011.
West Ham has only won one of their last 18 Premier League matches against Chelsea (D4 L13) and lost the last four in a row since a 1-0 win in November 2019.
Since Christmas, Chelsea has scored the opening goal in five of their six Premier League matches, but only won one of those (D2 L2), with only Spurs (11) who drop more points of winning positions then The blues (10).
However, the blues have lost three of their last six Premier League matches (W1 D2), as much as they had lost in their previous 32 combined (W19 D10 L3). In this time frame (December 26) the blues are 15th in the Premier League form table.
West Ham admitted nine Premier League goals this season in the first 10 minutes of matches, two more than any other side and their most in one campaign. In the meantime, Chelsea scored five goals in the first 10 minutes, with only Brentford scored more (six).
Opta wins probability
Chelsea – 62.1%
Drawing – 20.1%
West Ham – 17.9%
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