Ben Johnson replaces Thilo Kehrer in one David Moyes change – West Ham predicted XI v Chelsea
David Moyes is expected to make just the one change to his West Ham starting line-up against Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime [11 February].
The Hammers host their London rivals at the London Stadium in what is sure to be another engrossing contest against their £320million-built neighbours.
Moyes’ side are showing signs of improvement of late and claimed a creditable draw away at high-flying Newcastle United last weekend thanks to a Lucas Paqueta first-half equaliser.
The East Londoners will be aiming to claim a much-needed and impressive win to continue their mini-renaissance which has seen them go three games unbeaten in all competitions after what’s been a rather difficult campaign so far.
And Moyes is certainly going to be forced into one change to his starting lineup from the team which started at St James’ park last weekend, and that will be involving academy product Ben Johnson who is most likely to fill in at right centre-back following the injury blow to summer acquisition Thilo Kehrer, who is reportedly out for up to three weeks.
The versatile academy star will be handed the chance to make an impression alongside the impressive Nayef Aguerd and Angelo Ogbonna at the back, two players who are so far proving huge differences in the club’s recent upturn in results.
The three-man defence will almost certainly be flanked by Vladimir Coufal and Emerson who also impressed last time out against Newcastle United.
In the midfield pivot in Moyes’ reserved approach, the ever-impressive Declan Rice is a certainty alongside last weekend’s goal-hero Lucas Paqueta who was back to something of his fluent best against the Magpies apart from his goal.
However, the former Everton manager may have a decision to make as to who starts in attack alongside Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen.
Said Benrahma put in another drab performance last weekend despite the result, and there is a case to argue he will be incredibly lucky to be involved from the off against Chelsea on Saturday.
There’s been much clamour for his inclusion in recent weeks, following starts from the bench earlier in the campaign and the 3-goal Algerian international is so far failing to prove to Moyes that he deserves the opportunities, with the likes of Pablo Fornals waiting for his shot on the bench. There’s no better chance to impress for Benrahma than against derby rivals Chelsea.
Danny Ings is also waiting for his first start as a Hammers player, following his January move but Antonio is currently showing flashes of his best self and will certainly start alongside the improving Jarrod Bowen and Benrahma.
It’s unclear whether Gianluca Scamacca will be ready for this contest following an injury spell out, but the forward was pictured in training at Rush Green on Monday so a return to the team could be a welcome boost to Moyes’ attacking weaponry in what is a crucial run of Premier League games coming up following their encounter against Chelsea.