---
title: "Opposition View: Chelsea vs West Ham"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2016/08/13/opposition-view-chelsea-vs-west-ham/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Louis Parr"
section: "Matchday"
published: "2016-08-13T08:57:10Z"
modified: "2016-08-13T08:57:10Z"
---

# Opposition View: Chelsea vs West Ham

West Ham open their season next Monday with an eagerly awaited London derby against Chelsea, and ahead of the game, we’ve spoken to [ReadChelsea](https://readchelsea.com/) head editor, [Ryan Darby](https://twitter.com/RyanDarby_), to get the opposition’s viewpoint of the game.

**How has Chelsea’s pre-season gone?**

*It was a mixed one for us. We got off to a fairly slow start, but who doesn’t? We spent time in Austria, the US and Germany as we can seemingly never have enough tours!*

*On the whole, the football was good. We got two new signings integrated into the squad and have much more of an idea about what’s to come.*

*In an ideal world, we’d have loved to get a couple of defenders through the door and get them involved in the squad.*

**What’s your impression of Antonio Conte?**

*So far, he seems the perfect fit for Chelsea. He’s so passionate on the touchline but personifies calmness in his press conferences.*

*He has given a lot of our players a reality check with double training sessions and demanding tactics, which they needed. Hopefully, as he learns more about the league and our players, we’ll see the best of him.*

![Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readwestham.com/readwestham/2016/08/578065196.jpg)

**Conte is known for his differing formations and astute tactics, how do you think Chelsea will line up on Monday?**

*In pre-season, it’s either been a variation of 4-2-4 or 4-3-3. So either way, it’s likely to be attacking. Both formations look threatening and as we’ve yet to sign another forward, he may favour 4-3-3.*

*The 4-3-3 could see Oscar sit deep alongside new signing, N’Golo Kante and either Nemanja Matic or Cesc Fabregas.*

**A lot of Chelsea fans seem to think your defence needs strengthening, is that where your weakness is?**

*Completely. There is a very high chance that we’ll start a new season with the near enough same back four that started Jose Mourinho’s first season in charge back in 2013!*

*Branislav Ivanovic is ageing and John Terry is still widely our stand out defender, even in what is expected to be his last season.*

*With Kurt Zouma injured, we only have two fit senior central defenders in Gary Cahill and Terry. I’m sure we’ll strengthen though, I hope.*

**Who do you think your key player will be?**

*Eden Hazard.*

*I said this every week last season, hoping he’d turn his form around; he didn’t. But in pre-season, he’s looked sharp, fit and hungry, all of what he wasn’t last season.*

*A good Euros has helped him and he could start in his preferred central role.*

![Clive Rose/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readwestham.com/readwestham/2016/08/458226248.jpg)

**How do you think West Ham will fare this season?**

*Moving to the new stadium will take its toll, but that comes with the territory. It’ll definitely take time to adjust but you’ve bought well and look ready for a new campaign.*

*Bilic has added quality as well as quantity, Feghouli on a free transfer is particularly daylight robbery!*

**Score prediction:**

*Tough opening game, 1-1.*