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West Ham’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea has put Julen Lopetegui under intense scrutiny, with pressure already mounting. While many rational fans understand that Lopetegui will need time to implement his vision, patience is a rare commodity in today’s game, both among supporters and in the boardroom.
The media is already sharpening its knives, especially following the club’s decision to part ways with fan-favorite David Moyes. Lopetegui’s tenure began poorly as the team prepared for the Chelsea match, and their lackluster performance did little to indicate a fierce rivalry with the London club.
The Hammers were disappointing, echoing their lack of form from the previous week’s first half against Fulham, and they were fortunate not to suffer an even heavier defeat. Lopetegui must now demonstrate that he can transform West Ham into a team that plays attractive football and achieves results.
A strong performance is essential to restore belief among both fans and players in Lopetegui’s methods. In light of the Chelsea debacle, Lucas Paqueta has taken to social media to express the need for improvement, stating, “We need to improve, and we will continue to grow, believing that we can do more and better, together!”
Paqueta’s own performance has been subpar, and he is not the only one under scrutiny, as several players, including him, may soon face competition from new signings like Carlos Soler. The defeat against Chelsea was particularly alarming, with West Ham conceding an early goal and falling behind again shortly after. The team’s start to the season has been historic, marking the first time in 129 years that they’ve lost their opening three league games.
Additionally, West Ham has allowed the most shots of any team in the league, with 83—a staggering 20 more than the next worst team. Although Lopetegui is attempting to clean up the remnants of Moyes’s era, the pressure is on to produce results quickly.
The players must heed Paqueta’s call for unity as they prepare to face Liverpool at Anfield under the lights in midweek. With tensions high, the club’s future hinges on their ability to come together and improve.
