Mauricio Pochettino’s concerning first defeat as manager shows Chelsea’s journey back to the top won’t be plain sailing.
A host of problems were highlighted from within the rebuild of another turbulent summer where 12 internationals have left and nearly £400million spent to replace them.
The Blues were marginally the better team in the first half, with Carney Chukwuemeka equalising after Nayef Aguerd’s opener, but were outplayed in the second 45 minutes.
Michail Antonio and Lucas Paqueta sealed the victory as the Premier League’s two most expensive ever players, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, suffered moments to forget.
Enzo missed a first-half penalty and Caicedo, who made his debut at the London Stadium, gave away a late spot kick in injury time.
Nizaar Kinsella picked out three talking points at the London Stadium...
Jackson and Sterling are good but where’s the threat?
Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling were both dangerous in their build-up play but the question over where Chelsea’s goals are going to come from continues to be poised.
Chelsea have spent nearly £400m in this transfer window and almost £1billion across the last three but still lack goal scorers.
It is a weakness in the squad building despite the impressive play from both Sterling and Jackson around the box.
Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Mason Burstow all came off the bench but Chelsea only score once against 10-man West Ham.
It is not good enough and you have to think this ownership might yet sign more players, including another striker.
New season, same injury issues
Chukwuemeka’s first Chelsea, and senior, goal was tainted by injury as he came off just before half-time in significant pain.
It could be another major issue extending Chelsea’s injury list to eight players, the third highest in the Premier League.
A spate of injuries disrupted Chelsea last season and could again prove an issue this year.
It’s a huge conundrum to solve for Pochettino as the club can’t put such a bad run down to pure bad luck.
Defensive balance not right
Reece James’s absence was sorely felt at the back as Malo Gusto, a capable replacement, made his first start for the club. Although the 20-year-old wasn’t poor, he failed to deliver any major impact on the game, particularly in forward areas.
Meanwhile, Levi Colwill looked uncomfortable at left-back and Axel Disasi couldn’t follow up his impressive goalscoring display against Liverpool, while Thiago Silva wasn’t his usual dominant self.
Chelsea also struggled at set plays against the league masters, who have just added James Ward-Prowse to their already impressive arsenal.
