West Ham United

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter at London Stadium

West Ham have made just one change to the team that lost 3-0 at Sunderland, with Tomas Soucek coming in for Guido Rodriguez.

Meanwhile, Chelsea make three changes to the team that drew 0-0 at home to Crystal Palace last week and start Liam Delap alongside Joao Pedro up front, with Jamie Gittens dropping to the bench.

Tosin Adarabioyo returns from injury in place of Josh Acheampong and Malo Gusto comes in for Reece James.

West Ham XI: Hermansen, Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd, Wan-Bissaka, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Diouf, Paqueta, Bowen, Fullkrug

Subs: Areola, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Scarles, Rodriguez, Irving, Potts, Wilson, Marshall

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Joao Pedro, Delap

Subs: Jorgensen, James, Fofana, Acheampong, Hato, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Estevao Willian, Gittens

Sophie Brown
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham host Chelsea, with both sides looking to kick-start their campaigns after disappointing opening games.

The Hammers ended last season with two wins in their last three matches but offered few encouraging signs in their opening match of this campaign, looking lacklustre as they lost 3-0 at newly promoted Sunderland.

And it may not be a case of returning to home comforts for the Hammers, whose last win at London Stadium came back in February.

Another defeat will pile the pressure on head coach Graham Potter, whose predecessor Julen Lopetegui was sacked after 20 league matches, which is the landmark Potter will reach on Friday evening.

Anything short of a victory will mean Potter's record compares unfavourably with Lopetegui's, and the former Chelsea and Brighton boss has already had the dreaded 'vote of confidence' this week.

After winning five of their final six Premier League games last season and picking up the Club World Cup title over the summer, the 0-0 home draw with Crystal Palace on the opening weekend of this campaign was something of a comedown for Chelsea and Enzo Maresca.

The Blues have refurbished their forward line, with four new attackers – signed for a combined total of over £160m – making their debut last weekend. But neither they nor their new team-mates found the net, amassing only three shots on target.

It was the fifth time Chelsea had begun a Premier League campaign against a London rival, and the first time they had failed to win it.

They will need to get better at dealing with local rivals as they are starting the season with four consecutive derbies, with games against Fulham and Brentford following the trip to West Ham.

West Ham were as flat as anything at Sunderland, my colleague Ian Dennis on BBC Radio 5 Live called them anaemic. I'm a little bit worried for them this season.

I was at Chelsea's last game against Crystal Palace and I thought they also lacked that spark.

A lot has been made about Chelsea's new attack. Joao Pedro was quiet, Cole Palmer was quiet. There's also a stat going around that Palmer hasn't scored a league goal from open play since January.

West Ham might prove me wrong, it is a London derby after all, but I still think Chelsea will find a way to edge it.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

West Ham United have agreed to loan 27-year-old Edson Alvarez to Fenerbahce, and are tracking 25-year-old Werder Bremen midfielder Romano Schmid and 22-year-old Lens midfielder Andy Diouf. (Guardian), external

However, Inter Milan are confident of securing Diouf on a five-year contract in a deal that could be worth around 25m euros (£21.6m) to the Ligue 1 club. (La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham boss Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Chelsea at London Stadium (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news: "Everybody is fine, George Earthy trained with the group today. We had Luis Guilherme because of his shoulder before the game, so he is still missing. But apart from that, everyone is OK."

• Potter reiterated that Edson Alvarez's reported move to Fenerbahce is not yet confirmed, but the move could be on the cards simply because of the game time he is looking for and the "needs of the team".

• On the opening weekend loss: "The game wasn't a 3-0 game in my opinion. I think we do a lot right up until the first goal, we have calmed the situation down, we were in control of the game and they scored a goal out of pretty much nothing and the environment makes it really challenging. We don't react as well as we would have liked in that situation."

• Potter also insisted that the club has been handicapped due to PSR and while options are constantly being considered, he stated they "have to get more out of the squad and we will look to improve".

• On the squad's morale: "We know we have to do more in terms of results and improve our performance. The players were gutted after the game, and there was optimism and positivity, and now it is up to us to react."

• Potter said he has always understood this is "a work in progress", stressing the need to "balance expectations with reality" while continuing to work hard and push forward.

• The Hammers boss expressed confidence in the team and the players, insisting there is still much more to come. However, he admitted that results ultimately shape the narrative, and a setback like that inevitably brings negativity and criticism.

• On facing Chelsea: "It'll take a huge effort, a fantastic team performance, always a little bit of luck, but you are playing against a top team in a really good moment, so we have to perform well as a team with a balance between attack and defence, and we have to give everything."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

One simple priority. Midfield.

West Ham have been pursuing midfield reinforcements to add energy and creation all summer - and the search was given added urgency when they lost 3-0 at promoted Sunderland.

Manager Graham Potter needs results and new recruits quickly, with that midfield area a serious source of concern, leading to interest in Southampton's Mateus Fernandes and Barcelona's Marc Casado.

West Ham's alarming lack of pace in that area was brutally exposed at the Stadium of Light.

And at least two midfielders are required, one who can act as a defensive shield in a holding role and another who can give the team greater creativity.

What does Phil think other clubs need?

West Ham and Wolves are both interested in Spain midfielder Marc Casado but face a tough ask persuading the 21-year-old to leave Barcelona. (Marca - in Spanish, external)

West Ham are close to finalising a deal which will allow midfielder Edson Alvarez to join Fenerbahce on loan. (Talksport, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Jamie asked: West Ham United clearly need some legs in midfield, we are so slow! Any ideas who we could be looking for in the engine room? We need at least two signings, if not three!

Phil answered: Not sure who West Ham have in mind when it comes to their midfield, but it lacked legs and energy against Sunderland, pre-requisites at all times, and especially when you go to a newly-promoted team on the first day of the season.

West Ham were overpowered and overrun on a very chastening day for manager Graham Potter.

I am sure it was a display that increased the urgency of owners and manager to get players in – at least I hope it was.

Our West Ham fan contributor Holly Turbutt shares her concerns with the Hammers' midfield after opening defeat at Sunderland.

Find more from Holly Turbutt at West Ham Network, external

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Graham Potter's future at West Ham after an uninspiring start to the Premier League campaign.

Here are some of your comments:

Peter: I guess the record is not good, but as a long-term Hammers fan it's like being on a never-ending rollercoaster with constant ups and downs. Sacking a manager is not, in my opinion the answer. Maybe a change in ownership is an option. All I ask and expect is just don't get relegated.

Richard: Potter is a decent person but I'm not sure he can get the Hammers motivated. I would give him 15 games to prove his worth then make the inevitable decision.

Phil: Potter has been uninspiring from the start. He is wedded to a conservative defensive possession approach and team selections that ignore youth and pace for aged experience and slowness. His team shape has kept our best player (Jarrod Bowen) out of his natural best position. There is no hope or future for this squad under his tactics.

Terry: The jury is still out as far as I'm concerned, but he is definitely starting to run out of time to get results.

Dave C: He's had five wins in 20 games so I think he's going to have to have a quick improvement or he'll be gone. We didn't really have any new manager bounce when he came in.

Tony: He needs to be allowed to build his team. One game cannot be the benchmark. Sure, he needs a couple of midfielders and maybe a striker, the results pre-season were not bad. Give him more time!

Michael: I think he should have at least six games and if there is no improvement then he should go.

Ethan: Sack Graham Potter now. That performance against Sunderland shows no change from last season, showed promising pre-season signs, but they have very much evaporated. Freddie Potts must start over Guido Rodriguez. If we get in a new manager quickly, we can give them one or two more signings.

Littlelegs: Potter was always the wrong choice for the club with an aged squad, no money and Sullivan as chairman. But he was free and available, and that was the priority for the board.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Graham Potter's time in charge of West Ham has yet to really ignite.

It has not been an easy seven months since he took over from the sacked Julen Loptegui in January.

The club were 14th in the Premier League at the time - seven points above the relegation zone - and with just six league wins to their name.

Potter's initial job was to bring some belief - and results - to ensure the Hammers would not be dragged into a relegation dog-fight.

A win over Fulham in his first league game in charge followed by back-to-back wins over Arsenal then Leicester in February, alongside the struggles of the promoted sides, meant West Ham had as good as secured safety by March.

Whether players mentally stepped off the gas at that point is hard to say, but the side did not pick up another win until a victory of struggling Manchester United in May - nine games later.

They ultimately finished where Potter had taken over - 14th in the table.

Many supporters had accepted by that point that the new boss would need time to bed-in his style of play and ideas, hoping that by pre-season and the beginning of this new campaign they would be starting to see the shoots of what this Potter-led Hammers would look like.

However, just how long this new project could take to come to fruition was brought into the cold light of day on Saturday when they were soundly beaten 3-0 by promoted Sunderland.

With his record last season across all competitions, it means the former Brighton and Chelsea head coach has won just five games of his 20 in charge, giving him a win percentage of just 25% - less than at both previous Premier League clubs where he had a record of 32% and 36% respectively.

Selling Mohammed Kudus was a big blow, and the mass exodus of experienced players followed by five new signings has given Potter quite the task to knit together a potentially disjointed squad.

West Ham vice-chair Karen Brady has given the manager the club's backing, but with last season's underwhelming form and some angry fans calling for Potter to be sacked after the weekend's loss, it feels like he needs to get the side up and winning quickly - because one thing manager's do not get a lot of is time.

How are you feeling about Potter's future? Are you concerned about this start? How long do you think he will be given - or should be given - in the Hammers' hot-seat?

Get in touch with your views here

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Sunderland and West Ham.

Here are some of your comments:

Sunderland fans

Colin: Outstanding performance by the lads in red and white. We needed to start on the front foot and boy did we do that. Great win and hoping to build on that.

Terry: The performance and the goals were just brilliant. You could see what it meant to the fans and the players by the pure passion displayed by every one in the stadium. I would have LOVED to have been there! Liked the comment by the commentator likening Dan Ballard's goal to Niall Quinn!

David: A truly emotional and memorable return to the Premier League for the club and fans, with hugely encouraging performances from all of the debutants resulting in an important win. A long way to go, of course, but on this evidence there could be a lot of people outside of Wearside eating humble pie come the end of the season.

Tom: It's an incredible time to be a Sunderland supporter. I'm very pleased to see the three goalscorers were players who got the club where they are now.

Russell: I've followed Sunderland since the 1973 cup final and this season is the most confident I've been about a good start for a long, long time.

Craig: Championship play-off semis: Sunderland won't win. Final: they won't win. Get promoted: Sunderland are coming straight back down. Proving the naysayers wrong is what we what we love to do! More please.

West Ham fans

Tom: If you have a bad season, look at what was wrong and fix it. Or, in our case, just ignore it and hope for the best. This result was as inevitable. Either Potter is a poor manager or he's just being handcuffed by poor owners. It's going to be VERY hard to find three worse teams than us this season. I don't think there are.

Michael: Trouble is with our midfield - there's no energy or bite in there. To be honest, if they could shake it up between now and when the window shuts, we'd be OK. Probably need to offload four or five players and get in four or five younger and hungrier ones.

Derek: For 60 minutes we looked OK and were really troubling Sunderland. Then, like a deck of cards, we folded. I have to question Freddie Potts not starting after playing every pre-season game. Our midfield must be the slowest in the league. This needs addressing asap and we also badly need a striker.

Adrian: Same old, same old. Don't look fit enough, don't look hungry enough. Might as well keep Potter's post-match interview and play it each week. Fans deserve better.

Colin: First half was fair - the rest of the game West Ham were rubbish. Last season all over again. It's a shame for the fans becaiuse we expected more from Potter and the squad.

Rob: We've started where we finished off last season. Can't say I expected anything else when a club I've supported for over 50 years doesn't back the manager with top-class signings that never happen year in, year out. Yet another stressful season for us Hammers fans!

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's opening Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

• Tottenham 3-0 Burnley

• Wolves 0-4 Manchester City

Image source, Getty Images

• West Ham (902) became the fourth team to concede 900 away goals in the Premier League, after Everton (925), Spurs (922) and Newcastle (912), with the Hammers doing so in the fewest number of matches (556).

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham underwhelmed under Graham Potter last season, but a solid pre-season - coupled with some astute signings - had raised hopes among Hammers fans of a more successful campaign under the former Brighton boss.

The visitors were calm in possession in the first half, with captain Jarrod Bowen at the heart of their most threatening attacks - but they lacked the composure in front of goal to match their diligence in the build-up.

Summer arrival El Hadji Malick Diouf was already turning away to celebrate after steering a firm, low shot towards the far corner shortly before the half-hour mark, but Dan Ballard produced a sensational clearance to thwart the summer signing.

West Ham faded towards the end of the first half, however, and once Eliezer Mayenda had opened the scoring for Sunderland after the interval they rarely looked like working their way back into the game.

Indeed, the closest they came to a second-half goal was when Sunderland's Wilson Isidor inadvertently diverted a Hammers free-kick towards his own net, with goalkeeper Robin Roefs producing a sensational stop to preserve his clean sheet.

Things could get worse for West Ham before they get better, with Chelsea visiting the London Stadium in their next match and games against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham before mid-September.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Sunderland's performance

What did you make of West Ham's display?

Come back to this page on Sunday to find a selection of your replies

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris hands Premier League debuts to seven summer signings, as Granit Xhaka, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo Mandova, Chemsdine Talbi, Simon Adingra and goalkeeper Robin Roefs all starting.

Fellow new arrivals Enzo Le Fee, Marc Guiu, Omar Alderete are on the bench, but former Hammers defender Arthur Masuaku is not in the matchday squad.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Seelt, Ballard, Reinaldo, Sadiki, Xhaka, Diarra, Talbi, Mayenda, Adingra

Subs: Patterson, Neil, Guiu, Roberts, Rigg, Alderete, Isidor, Le Fee, Jones

West Ham manager Graham Potter hands former Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen his Hammers debut, with Alphonse Areola having to settle for a place on the bench.

El Hadji Malick Diouf also starts, while Kyle Walker-Peters and Callum Wilson are named among the substitutes.

West Ham XI: Hermansen, Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd, Wan-Bissaka, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Diouf, Bowen, Paqueta, Fullkrug

Subs: Areola, Walker-Peters, Alvarez, Wilson, Mavropanos, Soucek, Scarles, Potts, Irving

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Aston Villa v Newcastle (12:30)

• Brighton v Fulham

• Sunderland v West Ham - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Burnley - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Wolves v Manchester City (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Sunderland have made so many changes that they are unrecognisable from the team that won promotion last season.

I love their ambition but I'm not sure it will keep them up. A good start is vital to the promoted teams - and how quickly will they gel?

There are question marks over West Ham too. They were feeble at times under Graham Potter after he took charge halfway through last season and, while he could argue that wasn't his team, he cannot have the same excuse now.

This is a big season for Potter and I think it will start well. West Ham have got enough nous to deal with the atmosphere at the Stadium of Light and leave with three points.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here