Chelsea take on West Ham at the London Stadium as Mauricio Pochettino goes in search of his first three points of the season having landed Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo this week

Moises Caicedo during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground (Image: Darren Walsh)×

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Chelsea head to West Ham on Sunday searching for their first Premier League win of the Mauricio Pochettino era. The Blues boss has new reinforcements after the opening weekend’s draw with Liverpool as the west London side look to finalise their squad before the end of the transfer window.

Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia joined Chelsea’s ranks this week in transfers that could total £173million as the club strengthen their midfield, a priority they set out with this summer. Though, Lewis Hall now looks set to depart Stamford Bridge for Newcastle with the 18-year-old on the verge of a loan move to the north east.

Pochettino was pleased with what he saw against Liverpool last weekend however, as the west London side continue to progress in the first seven weeks of the former PSG boss’ coaching.

football.london takes a look at the changes that Pochettino could make for the trip to West Ham.

Moises Caicedo debut

When you sign for a deal worth a possible £115million, an immediate impact is expected. Enzo Fernandez delivered upon his arrival in January, and Caicedo is likely to be expected to do the same. It’s the position the Blues have been looking to reinforce all summer, particularly after a number of midfield sales in the form of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante.

Conor Gallagher performed well at the base of midfield against Liverpool, but it is not his natural role, and that will leave Caicedo with a prime opportunity to enter the side should he have impressed in training. His s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁set is set to mesh well with Fernandez, who should be given more freedom to enter more advanced positions with the Ecuador international in place behind him.

The duo are set to complement each other well, with data from Soccerment’s xvalue.ai Stats, Caicedo’s strengths in aerial duels and ground duels, offset Fernandez’s lower profile in those departments, while the World Cup winner’s progressive passing and carries offer talent where Caicedo is less prominent.

Moises Caicedo x Enzo Fernandez comparison dial (Image: xvalue.ai)

Change in shape

While Pochettino will suggest that there was no change in shape against Liverpool, it would be no surprise to see Chelsea return to two recognised central defenders instead of three against West Ham.

The Blues spent most of their pre-season operating with a more traditional back four, even with Ben Chilwell still having duties high up the pitch and in the centre of midfield, as he did against the Reds. However, those duties may be slightly diminished with no Trent Alexander-Arnold to track into the middle of the pitch.

A more recogniseable 4-2-3-1 is likely going to be apparent against the Irons, with Levi Colwill and Thiago Silva to continue with some long range passing responsibilities, while Fernandez and Caicedo could drop into the back three to carry the ball out from the back, perhaps even Lavia should he make his debut at any point during the match.

Mykhailo Mudryk to come in

The slight change in shape will allow Chelsea to have two wingers playing off of Nicolas Jackson on Sunday. Raheem Sterling is likely to continue on the right of the pitch, with Christopher Nkunku’s continued absence ensuring there is a place up for grabs on the opposite flank.

Mykhailo Mudryk showed plenty of promise during pre-season in combination with Jackson and in making an impact from the left side, perhaps leaving him favourite to come into the side. The Ukraine international will face competition from Ian Maatsen who also proved his value in the position however. The former Burnley loanee has shown the versatility to operate across forward positions and could tuck in, with Chilwell taking on duties to keep the pitch wide.

Malo Gusto in, Reece James out

It seems Chelsea are going to have to deal without Reece James this weekend due to injury. A bitter blow for the recently-named captain, who was replaced in the opening weekend of the Premier League season so as to not risk any issues.

Malo Gusto entered the fray on that occasion but Pochettino also has the likes of Disasi and Caicedo who have operated in the position previously. Gusto has not looked out of place in his appearances so far and could be in line for his first start however.

Soucre: football.london