How Chelsea's New Boys Estevao, Delap and Joao Pedro Hammered West Ham
- Think Football Ideas
- Aug 26
- 2 min read
Chelsea New Signings Estevao, Delap, and Joao Pedro Shine in 5-1 Rout of West Ham
Chelsea’s visit to the London Stadium on Friday night turned into a vivid demonstration of youthful energy and tactical ingenuity, with three summer signings combining to dismantle West Ham in a 5-1 rout.
After an uninspiring draw last weekend, Enzo Maresca’s side arrived with purpose, and it was clear early that this was a different Chelsea, as they were fast, inventive, and unrelenting.
The Spark of Youth
The absence of Cole Palmer before kickoff might have seemed a setback, but it instead opened the door for a trio of newcomers to leave their mark.
Estevao injected directness into Chelsea’s attacks, with his darting runs and bold dribbles breaking West Ham’s defensive shape time and again. The Brazilian’s burst into space, culminating in key involvement in the third goal, threading a precise pass to Enzo Fernandez that left defenders grasping at air.
Meanwhile, Joao Pedro assumed the role of playmaker-in-chief, drifting between lines and orchestrating moves that kept West Ham’s defenders scrambling.
His vision and timing were crucial to Chelsea’s opening goal, and his connection with Delap ensured the Blues could exploit gaps between the lines with relentless efficiency.
Delap: The Fulcrum
Though Pedro and Estevao drew the headlines, Liam Delap’s performance illustrated the importance of off-the-ball movement. Acting as the pivot around which Chelsea’s attack revolved, Delap held defenders, created walls for runners, and allowed the team to stretch West Ham across the pitch.
His spatial awareness transformed Chelsea’s possession into high-speed, high-impact transitions, demonstrating that sometimes influence is measured not in touches but in the opportunities a player enables.
Maresca’s Tactical Mastery
Maresca’s adjustments amplified the effect of his new signings. By positioning Moises Caicedo alone at the base, Chelsea allowed two playmakers to operate freely behind Delap.
This formation restored fluidity and also enabled rapid interplay that overwhelmed West Ham’s backline. The strategy highlighted Maresca’s ability to adapt, turning a potential setback into a showcase of depth and creativity.
West Ham’s Defensive Woes
For the hosts, the afternoon was grim. A combination of disorganisation, poor marking, and slow reactions left them exposed to Chelsea’s pace and imagination.
Goals arrived from both clever positional play and basic defensive lapses, whether at corners or in open play, and by the fifth strike, the London Stadium’s stands had thinned in frustration.
Potter’s side was briefly competitive, but Chelsea’s cohesion and the clever movements of Estevao, Delap, and Joao Pedro proved insurmountable.
A Statement for the Season
This impressive display from the Blues wasn’t merely about scoring, it was about asserting intent.
Chelsea’s new signings made an immediate case for their value, blending energy, tactical intelligence, and clinical execution to produce a performance that excited supporters and sent a warning to the Premier League. This is something other sides in the top flight are still battling with.
Maresca’s men showcased how individual talent, when integrated into a coherent system, can redefine a team’s identity overnight.
In this match, Chelsea’s future looked bright, with their attacking triumvirate turning promise into concrete results and laying the groundwork for a season of high expectations.
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