Declan Rice is the cause of our defeat why ordinary Chelsea can beat us 5-0-David Moyes blamed Declan Rice after West Ham’s 5-0 defeat to Chelsea!
Following a substantial 5-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday, West Ham United’s manager, David Moyes, pointed to the absence of Declan Rice as a significant factor contributing to the team’s poor performance in away games this season. During the match, Chelsea established a comfortable lead with goals from Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, and Noni Madueke by halftime, and Nicolas Jackson later compounded West Ham’s misery by further extending Chelsea’s advantage.
This season has been particularly challenging for West Ham on the road, with the team having lost five out of six away fixtures across all competitions. Moreover, this defeat at Stamford Bridge marks the sixth instance this season that West Ham has conceded four or more goals in an away game.
Moyes has expressed concern over the defense, suggesting that the departure of Declan Rice—who moved to Arsenal last summer following a £105 million transfer deal—has left a significant void. The team has struggled defensively, conceding a total of 70 goals so far in the Premier League, which is the most a team coached by Moyes has ever allowed in a single season.
In Moyes’ view, Rice’s role was pivotal, not just as a player but as a protective barrier in front of the back four, significantly reducing the number of direct threats to the goal. Without Rice, Moyes feels that the team lacks the necessary shield to fend off opposing attacks effectively.
Addressing the situation, Moyes emphasized the importance of resilience and mental toughness, qualities he typically instills in his teams. Despite the disappointing results, he maintains that the squad is fundamentally strong but needs to work on minimizing the impact of bad days, especially during away games.
Moyes also highlighted the potential within the team, pointing out that even in defeat, there were moments when West Ham could have changed the course of the game against Chelsea. He cited instances such as hitting the crossbar three times and missing a crucial scoring opportunity, which could have altered the outcome.
Reflecting on a recent draw with Liverpool, Moyes reminded everyone of the team’s capabilities and the thin margins that often decide the fate of football matches. Despite the current struggles, he plans to discuss the future direction with the club’s board at the end of the season, amidst ongoing speculation about his managerial position.
In summary, Moyes attributes the team’s defensive struggles and poor away record primarily to the absence of Declan Rice, and while acknowledging the challenges, he is focused on instilling resilience and improving performances to turn around the team’s fortunes.
