It is the end of the David Moyes era for West Ham United as the players and team hit new lows in defeat at Chelsea.
West Ham have taken some abysmal hammerings this season.
And another was added to the list as Chelsea dismantled them 5-0 without even getting out of first gear.
It could and should have been seven or eight. Make no mistake, this was a new low for the Hammers and David Moyes.
A manager who prides himself on being solid defensively, his West Ham team have been anything but in the Premier League for two seasons now.
The Hammers have conceded more goals than any team outside the Premier League bottom three.
They have not kept a clean sheet in the league for 15 games – that’s nearly half a season.
This dismal hiding at a team supposed to be one of West Ham’s fiercest rivals was an embarrassment from start to finish.
Blame game will begin but this one is on the players
It does at least give David Sullivan and co real clarity over Moyes’ future. He is not the man to take this team forward.
But then fans will be asking the same question of the owners themselves.
On the pitch, though, West Ham’s players must take their share of the blame today.
Fatigue could be used as an excuse after West Ham’s many other hidings this season given the club’s European exertions.
But West Ham had eight days to recover and prepare for this match. Chelsea had 66 hours.
This was Moyes’ first choice XI bar Konstantinos Mavropanos.
And frankly they let him and the club down at Stamford Bridge.
Our Hammers News player ratings are in and it’s the end of an era for West Ham as seven put in 1/10 displays against Chelsea.
West Ham player ratings as seven put in 1/10 displays
Jarrod Bowen, Alphonse Areola – who could do little about the actual goals so bad was West Ham’s defending in front of him – and possibly Mohammed Kudus are the only players who can look themselves in the mirror tonight.
The worst thing about the drubbing is the fact Chelsea really did not have to play well to achieve it.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side barely broke a sweat.
The blame game will begin now. Some will blame the owners for unsettling the first team, some will blame Moyes as his archaic, risk averse tactics were once again brutally exposed.
But this one is on the players.
If you are a West Ham player and you can’t get yourself up for a game against Chelsea then there is something seriously wrong.
This is no knee-jerk reaction. Because we have been here far too many times in the last two Premier League seasons.
Moyes came in back in 2020 declaring he wanted to rid West Ham of their flakiness and soft underbelly.
As he prepares to depart four-and-a-half years later it is back with a vengeance.
Flaky old Hammers are back
The size of the task facing Sullivan and Tim Steidten this summer cannot be underestimated.
This brittle “squad” is already the smallest in the league. It is also the second oldest.
It’s 22 players will become 16 with six of the current crop out of contract.
None of those players should have their contracts renewed if West Ham are serious about improving and progressing.
The likes of Lucas Paqueta, Nayef Aguerd, Maxwel Cornet and Danny Ings will also surely be sold.
That leaves West Ham with 12 players. So unless the new manager plans to bring five or six young players into the first team next season, the Hammers need to sign AT LEAST 10 players this summer.
Based on this meek surrender at Stamford Bridge – where players were literally strolling around the pitch going through the motions – that really is the minimum requirement.
West Ham’s away end was empty long before full-time. And that’s all this display deserved.
West Ham player ratings vs Chelsea:
Areola, 6/10: It may sound strange but he was one of West Ham’s best players on the day. Without him the score would have been a whole lot worse as he made several saves.
Coufal, 1/10: Showing his age once again. A great servant who always tries his best but he simply must be upgraded. He made Mykhailo Mudryk look like Thierry Henry.
Zouma, 1/10: Captain? Really? Showed no leadership yet again and if he remains at the club this summer must surely only be a squad player next term. Watch his lack of effort chasing Nicholas Jackson back for Chelsea’s fifth. Pathetic.
Ogbonna, 1/10: We all love Angelo. He has been a great servant and should have played more this season. But the Premier League is full of young, vibrant teams like Chelsea’s now. And the Italian is surely at the end of his stay with the club.
Emerson, 1/10: Awful performance the likes of which were a regular occurrence in his first eight months with West Ham. Showed zero intensity or tenacity, made to look silly by Cole Palmer and Nodi Madueke. At fault for several of the goals.
Alvarez, 1/10: Hailed as one of the players of the season but Alvarez – not helped by Moyes’ tactics – offered next to no shield for the back four. Subbed at half-time but could have been any number of West Ham’s players in truth.
Soucek, 1/10: Could never accuse Soucek of not trying. But he offered very little and was cumbersome on the ball. He was also second to too many balls, allowing Chelsea too much control in the middle of the park. Gave the ball away for Chelsea’s fifth.
Paqueta, 1/10: If I could give him a zero I would. If you want to see a player going through the motions just watch Paqueta in the last few weeks. Took it to new levels against Chelsea. Went down injured all of a sudden. But simply looked like he didn’t fancy it. Surely on his way this summer if Man City will still want him given his recent performances.
Kudus, 5/10: Didn’t contribute anything meaningful but at least showed a bit of desire and tenacity. Kept looking for the ball and trying to make something happen. Hogged it too much – a feature of his game recently – but who can blame him given the performances of those around him.
Bowen, 6/10: Gave his all as usual and somewhat remarkably hit the bar three times at Stamford Bridge. Had the first gone in at 1-0 then it may have changed things. But that’s a very big and unlikely if on the basis of what unfolded.
Antonio, 3/10: Bizarrely didn’t challenge Thiago Silva’ headed assist at the back post for one of Chelsea’s goals. Gave the ball away far too easily on occasion too. Antonio tried, but like so many of this West Ham team simply must be upgraded this summer if the club has any ambition whatsoever. He is 35 next season and it’s games like this where it shows.
SUBS:
Ward-Prowse, 3/10: Made little to no impact. Sent one free-kick wide.
Cresswell, 4/10: Had a bit about him when he came on but did nothing of note.
Ings, 3/10: Ran around but did nothing.