Transfer speculation '100%' affected Chelsea's form, says Maresca

Enzo Maresca is convinced transfer speculation has affected Chelsea's form in recent weeks as they look to turn things around against West Ham on Monday.

Chelsea were tipped as title contenders in mid-December, but since beating Brentford on December 15, they have won just one of their last seven matches in the Premier League to drop to sixth in the table.

At the start of the weekend, they remain just one point behind the top four, but they could slip down the table depending on other results, and Maresca admitted it was no coincidence that his team hit a rough patch around the transfer window.

"100% [it affects them]. 100% for me. But not only us, all the teams, because in the end, [the players] are human beings," Maresca said.

"Even if they say, 'No, I'm professional, I'm focused on this,' if they are talking about you and different clubs, then the focus is not 100%. This can be something [to explain the drop in form].

"The other one I think is probably losing Wes [Fofana]. So, these could be reasons why [the form] is different, but the good thing is that we still play a good game, we still create chances, the big difference for me has been inside the box."

Graham Potter, meanwhile, returns to Stamford Bridge as an opposing manager for the first time since he was sacked as Chelsea manager in April 2023.

West Ham have won just one of their games since his arrival (3-2 v Fulham) but were unlucky not to record their first away victory under him in a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last weekend.

"I'm looking forward to it. I've been back there as a pundit, but now I'm going back as a head coach with another team," Potter said.

"I had some good times at Chelsea and some special nights against the likes of AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Overall, the results weren't ideal during my time at the club, but I've never had a problem with anyone at Chelsea.

"I wish them well as a club, and I'm thankful for my time there because it's part of my journey. I'm here now, and I'm delighted about that."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chelsea – Nicolas Jackson

Nicolas Jackson has scored 11 goals in his last 14 Premier League London derby matches, with this total of 11 the most of any player in London derbies across the last two seasons.

West Ham – Mohammed Kudus

Mohammed Kudus has completed the most dribbles of any player in the Premier League this season (57). He has completed 6+ dribbles in three Premier League games in 2024-25, with only Manchester City's Jeremy Doku doing so more often (four).

MATCH PREDICTION: CHELSEA WIN

Chelsea have won their last two Premier League meetings with West Ham by an aggregate score of 8-0 – they last won three in a row against the Hammers between 2010 and 2011.

West Ham have won just one of their last 18 Premier League away games against Chelsea (D4 L13), losing the last four in a row since a 1-0 win in November 2019.

Since Christmas, Chelsea have scored the opening goal in five of their six Premier League games but have only won one of those (D2 L2), with only Spurs (11) dropping more points from winning positions across that time than the Blues (10).

The Blues, however, have lost three of their last six Premier League games (W1 D2), as many as they had lost in their previous 32 combined (W19 D10 L3). In this timeframe (December 26 onwards), the Blues are 15th in the Premier League form table.

West Ham have conceded nine Premier League goals in the opening 10 minutes of matches this season, two more than any other side and their most in a single campaign. Chelsea, meanwhile, have scored five goals in the first 10 minutes, with only Brentford scoring more (six).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chelsea – 62.1%

Draw – 20.1%

West Ham – 17.9%