West Ham welcome Chelsea to Upton Park on Wednesday as they look to bounce back from their embarrassing defeat at home to Crystal Palace last weekend. The Hammers lost 2-0 in the corresponding fixture back in December, which sparked our decline in form since the turn of the year. We spoke to Jamie Wilkinson of Read Chelsea ahead of the game.
Where does Manchester City’s defeat to Liverpool leave Chelsea in terms of the title race? Do you consider yourselves home and hosed now or is there still work to be done?
Some thought we were going to run away with the league in November, by New Years Day it was all level. It’s never over until it’s over, but City have been hit and miss this season – I’d be very disappointed if we didn’t go on to win it from here.
Congrats on the recent Capital One Cup success, we love seeing Tottenham suffering defeats as much as anyone! Do you think this latest piece of silverware will give Chelsea a boost in the Premier League & Champions League.
Thanks. I hope so, we all have high hopes for this squad so I see this trophy as the first of many. They’ve got the taste of success now and I can only imagine they’ll be hungry for more. Mourinho’s two year trophy drought is over and it’s sent a message to the rest of the Premier League – he’s back, and he means business.
Sam Allardyce and Jose Mourinho have enjoyed some interested exchanges in recent seasons, but could you argue that Mourinho has been somewhat hypocritical in his comments of Allardyce having displayed on numerous occasions in recent seasons a more ‘negative’ style of football against top oppositions?
With Allardyce it’s 19th century football, with Mourinho it’s tactical masterclass. Both get their fair share of criticism, but in many ways they’re similar managers. Modern football managers have to be pragmatic, each game is different and especially in this country there is no ‘one size fits all’ strategy. Mourinho is a hypocrite? Water is wet!
Despite a recent dip in form, West Ham have exceeded most expectations of them this season. What do you make of their season thus far?
Diafra Sakho settled right into life in England and West Ham reaped the rewards. Stewart Downing has hit another level this season too. Some of the football you’re playing, earlier in the season especially, has been a joy to watch. I expected a solid, mid-table finish from West Ham but the quality of the football on display has been a pleasant surprise.
West Ham reportedly turned down Chelsea’s advances to sign Enner Valencia in January. What about his game do you admire most, and would he be a good fit at Stamford Bridge?
He hasn’t fully justified his price-tag just yet, but you only have to look at his record at Pachuca and on an international level for Ecuador to see that he is a very productive forward. A goal/assist every 204 minutes isn’t bad at all for a player who has only had a little while to settle in, to put that into context – Willian averages one every 405 minutes. His numbers will only get better and who knows where his future lies?
Chelsea won the reverse fixture 2-0 earlier this season, do you think you can enjoy similar success at Upton Park?
I think we will win, but not as easily as on Boxing Day. It seemed as though you were playing in gear two or three, perhaps saving your legs for the strain of the Christmas period. Our first goal was avoidable, Terry wasn’t picked up, and our second a moment of brilliance from Costa. I wouldn’t imagine we’ll get so many chances on Wednesday.
Who do you think will be Chelsea’s key man in this game?
Eden Hazard. It’s always Eden Hazard, because simply he is our best player. Whenever we’re looking a bit jaded or lackluster – he always finds that extra 10% and pulls us through. Carl Jenkinson’s going to have his work cut out!
Finally, a score prediction from you?
I’ll go for 1-0 Chelsea win, wouldn’t imagine we’ll score too many as Adrian tends to release his inner Lev Yashin when facing us. Good luck!
