He lost the ball 20 times: West Ham may have to drop 5/10 ace after Chelsea. West Ham United have lost their first three home games of a league season for the first time ever, after losing 3-0 to Chelsea at the London Stadium. This is also the first time Chelsea have beaten the Hammers at their ground since 2021, when Thomas Tuchel’s side defeated them 1-0.
Nicolas Jackson started proceedings early with a goal in the fourth minute, before adding a second in the 18th, putting Chelsea 2-0 up going into half-time. The Blues came straight out of the gates quickly in the second half, scoring two minutes after the break to make it 3-0, and put the game to bed. West Ham now sit 14th in the Premier League after five games played, winning once, drawing once, and losing three times.
Changes could be afoot, therefore, one of which should see Guido Rodriguez dropped
Guido Rodriguez’s performance in numbers
Rodriguez was taken off after just 33 minutes played, as West Ham struggled to lay a glove on Chelsea in the middle of the park. Julen Lopetegui made the decision to bring Tomas Soucek on in midfield to add some power and physicality with the summer signing being the one to make way.
The Argentinian had just 29 touches, made 21 of his 25 passes, made two tackles, and won 2/3 ground duels in his 33 minutes. However, Lopetegui knew he had to make a change, and someone had to make way.
That said, he wasn’t the only culprit during the Hammers’ defeat to Chelsea.
Lucas Paqueta’s performance in numbers
Handed a 5/10 match rating by 90min at the conclusion of the game, Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta had a notable off day, losing the ball a staggering 20 times, according to Sofascore, which was more than anyone else on the pitch.
Paqueta also only won 2/6 ground duels, had a 76% passing accuracy (making 32 of his 42 passes), made zero successful crosses out of four attempts, and didn’t make a single tackle or interception all game.
Paqueta is playing in a slightly different role this season under Lopetegui, as he is required to drop deeper to receive the ball, mostly due to West Ham’s lack of progressors in central midfield. This has seen the Brazilian’s passes into the final third per 90 increase, whilst his key passes have decreased.
The 27-year-old midfielder is an excellent technician, who excels with a progressive passing toolset, and the ability to slice through opposition defences.
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta
However, his tendency to do this, is better utilised in a “free” role, closer to goal, and where, if he does lose the ball, it doesn’t cause immediate danger to the team in transition.
Paqueta is one of West Ham’s most talented players, but Lopetegui has a job on his hands, to provide the team with the correct balance, with ball security in the middle of the park to hold possession, and game changers in the final third, to help the team create chances and score goals.
It could just be that he has to do that without Paqueta starting, with players like Carlos Soler and Tomas Soucek banging at the manager’s door for a start.
