When transfer deals are not getting confirmed until after midnight on transfer deadline day, it is arguably an acknowledgement that things are not necessarily going swimmingly in terms of progression both on and off the pitch.
That is true with regards to Chelsea, who have only collected seven points from a possible 15 in the top flight and were left to react quickly in the transfer market to secure the signature of Denis qZakariafrom Juventus.
However, more long-term planning went into the acquisition of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is currently sidelined with a broken jaw, and Thomas Tuchelcan have no complaints with the club’s efforts in the summer transfer window.
Nevertheless, the German must now find a way to get Chelsea back on track, particularly after their poor showing in the 2-1 defeat at Southampton on Tuesday night.
Although Tuchel was correct in his assessment that Chelsea were disjointed and easy to beat, a quick solution needs to be found or the Blues will be out of the title race with barely a month gone in the season.
David Moyes may have had similar concerns about keeping West Ham in the hunt for the top seven having witnessed his side lose three successive matches in the Premier League.
However, collecting four points from games with Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur have put a different slant on things, the Hammers now having some momentum ahead of a second London derby in the space of three days
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West Ham were terrific in the clash with Spurs, somehow failing to take advantage of the chances that they created in the second half, but it was a step in the right direction against their most illustrious rivals.
With Lucas Paqueta also through the door at the London Stadium for a club-record fee, everyone associated with West Ham will naturally be optimistic that the quality and belief is there when it comes to catapulting themselves into the top half of the table.
Both teams have recorded three wins apiece from their last six matches between the clubs, but Chelsea have prevailed in the most recent two meetings at Stamford Bridge.
