West Ham Boss Lopetegui Demands Defensive Improvement
West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui has emphasized the importance of defensive contributions from his key players to rediscover top form. A crucial midfielder was dropped for the draw against Fulham due to a sluggish start to the season, compounded by off-field issues.
The player, 27, faces four betting offense charges, which could potentially lead to a lifetime ban if found guilty. A decision is unlikely to be made until next year. Additionally, a potential transfer to his home club collapsed over the summer.
Lopetegui stressed that defensive focus is crucial to overall performance. “When he is focused on defensive work, he is a much better player,” Lopetegui said. “We’re trying to help him understand what we want from him. He’s an important player for us.”
The West Ham manager refused to put pressure solely on one player, instead emphasizing the team’s collective responsibility. “I don’t want to put this kind of responsibility on one player,” Lopetegui noted. “All the players can do better, the coaches too. Always.”
Lopetegui also expressed satisfaction with the player’s commitment and behavior. “He’s trying to work very hard, trying to understand what we want from him,” Lopetegui said. “I’m happy with his behavior, his commitment with the rest of his teammates.”
West Ham hosts Chelsea, seeking to improve their defensive record, having conceded 18.25 attempts per game, the highest in the Premier League. Lopetegui acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, “In the Premier League, it’s very difficult not to suffer shots. But it’s true that we can improve more. We’re trying to be more compact, more consistent defensively.”
The match against Chelsea presents an opportunity for West Ham to address their defensive vulnerabilities. With three defenders arriving and five departing in the summer, including last season’s captain, the team is still adjusting to its new lineup.
Lopetegui remains optimistic about his team’s prospects. “We’re trying to be more active with the ball too,” he said. “We’re working hard to improve our game, and I’m confident we’ll see positive results soon.”
The upcoming match against Chelsea will be a crucial test for West Ham’s defensive resilience.