Chelsea host West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel and co have picked up seven points from their first 15 available in the Premier League this term, and now the transfer window is closed, the Chelsea head coach wants full focus and commitment on improving their early season form which has been sub-standard.
Chelsea come into Saturday’s London derby at Stamford Bridge off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Southampton and they will need to improve if they want to maintain their unbeaten start at home in 2022-23.
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Thomas Tuchel will have Reece James (illness) and Conor Gallagher (suspension) back available for selection at the weekend, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be in contention despite suffering a hamstring injury against Southampton in midweek.
“Both (James and Loftus-Cheek) are back in training and available,” said Tuchel on Friday in his pre-match press conference. “It’s only N’Golo out. Everybody else is in training. A group of 19 players. It will be with Auba and Denis Zakaria, will be 21 players plus goalkeepers.”
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will play no part due to a broken jaw, while Denis Zakaria’s work permit has yet to be sorted.
“At the moment he cannot train,” added Tuchel on Aubameyang. “We have to make sure he gets a mask to protect his jaw. Then we can start to try with a mask next week.”
On Zakaria, Tuchel said: “My latest information is that we need to work on the work permit. He will not be in the squad for Saturday. That is too close. We hope for Tuesday and then for Fulham.”
Tuchel is expecting a tough battle from the Hammers, and has told his side to step up otherwise they face the risk of dropping more points.
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“We need to step up. We have like how many games to go in the Premier League? If we don’t get tough we will get punished. This is not what we want. We will show a reaction that we can do this. It’s proven we can do it with this group.
"We need to find that spirit, find the right spirit and attitude throughout the matches. This includes me, my staff and the team. We are now at the moment using the momentum that we know who is in the squad. From now on we will show a new face and have to show a new face and toughness.”
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For Moyes and the visitors, they know exactly what awaits them on Saturday: "Chelsea are always a big opponent for whoever plays them. They have some really fantastic players, they're maybe a new club now with the changes they have had to make over the last two years.”
Bragging rights are at stake and both sides will be keen to kick start their season with all three points in west London on Saturday afternoon.
When is the match?
It will take place on Saturday 3rd September at 3pm (UK) time.
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Where is the match?
The Premier League match will be held at Stamford Bridge, London.
How can I watch the match?
The fixture will not be available to watch live in the United Kingdom.
For those in the United States, the game can be watched on Peacock Premium.
Topics: Chelsea, West Ham United, Premier League
Matthew Debono