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There is massive striker relief for West Ham United and a blow for Chelsea ahead of the big London derby clash this weekend.
West Ham head to Stamford Bridge to face Thomas Tuchel’s side in a very rare Saturday 3pm kick-off.
After a slow start the Hammers have shown signs of improvement, following up their first win and goal of the season at Aston Villa with a 1-1 draw against Spurs in midweek.
Chelsea are, like West Ham, going through an intense period of squad transition having seen a raft of departures and arrivals following a hectic transfer window in east and west London.
And it has shown in the form and performances of both West Ham and Chelsea so far.
The Blues, who sold Emerson to the Hammers for £13m last month, lost 3-0 to Leeds last week before narrowly beating Leicester and then losing 2-1 to Southampton.
Observers have highlighted the lack of forward options as one of Chelsea’s big problems so far.
Tuchel moved to solve that issue with the deadline day signing of Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang from Barcelona.
But there is massive striker relief for West Ham and a blow for Chelsea ahead of big London derby clash.
Because despite arriving in time to be registered for the West Ham game, Aubameyang will not be in the Chelsea squad for the game.
Aubameyang sustained a jaw injury during a disgusting burglary at his home in Barcelona and has been ruled out for the next two to three weeks (Sky Sports).
And although he looked absolutely fine as he smiled for the cameras at his Chelsea unveiling, doctors have advised he should avoid competitive, contact action for that period.
Given the former Arsenal man’s amazing record playing under Tuchel at Dortmund, it is a huge relief for Moyes and West Ham that they will not face the striker this weekend.
And West Ham will be hoping for a double striker boost by having their own new forward, £35m Gianluca Scamacca, available.
Hammers fans have been seriously excited about what they have seen from Scamacca so far. But they were disappointed when the Italian was ruled out of the Spurs game through illness.
Moyes has revealed what’s happened to Scamacca’s gums and throat ahead of Chelsea after West Ham doctors tried to get the forward back fit with a course of antibiotics.
But it remains to be seen whether this game comes too soon.
West Ham would be foolish to underestimate their fierce rivals Chelsea, though, of course – with or without Aubameyang.
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