‘Did you see him?’ – Jason Cundy baffled by what he saw Lopetegui do in West Ham loss v Chelsea
Julen Lopetegui’s conduct on the sidelines left former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy baffled as West Ham United suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, 21 September. The loss only compounded the growing pressure on the Hammers’ manager, who has been under scrutiny due to the team’s lackluster performances.
Cundy, speaking alongside Jamie O’Hara on *TalkSPORT* (21 September, 5:40 PM), expressed his surprise at Lopetegui’s seemingly passive demeanor during the match. As West Ham were being soundly beaten, Cundy couldn’t help but notice the Spaniard’s complete lack of visible urgency or animation from the dugout. “Lopetegui, on the touchline—did you see him?” Cundy remarked in disbelief. “He just stood there, arms folded, didn’t move the entire game.”
West Ham were on the back foot from the start, conceding within the first three minutes as Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson capitalized on a disorganized defense. The Blues doubled their lead shortly after in a similar fashion, and Cole Palmer sealed the game early in the second half. The Irons’ defense looked fragile throughout the match, and Cundy was left astonished by Lopetegui’s lack of response or tactical adjustments.
### Pressure Mounting on Julen Lopetegui at West Ham
The defeat has only intensified the growing pressure on Lopetegui, who now faces serious questions about his leadership and tactical approach at West Ham. Despite being backed heavily in the transfer market, with over £130 million spent on new players, the Spaniard’s team has yet to deliver the desired results. His lack of visible engagement during the match has raised concerns among fans and pundits alike, especially considering the ease with which Chelsea tore through the West Ham defense.
Lopetegui, who was brought in to spearhead a major overhaul at the London Stadium, cannot argue that he hasn’t been given the necessary tools to succeed. The club invested heavily in reshaping the squad, bringing in several new signings in hopes of turning their fortunes around. Yet, despite these acquisitions, the team has failed to gel on the pitch, and their defensive frailties have been laid bare on multiple occasions.
One of the puzzling decisions Lopetegui made in the Chelsea match was his team selection. While he finally gave former Leeds winger Crysencio Summerville his first Premier League start, other choices left many scratching their heads. Chief among them was the continued inclusion of Konstantinos Mavropanos, who has struggled to adapt to life at West Ham. The Greek defender was arguably at fault for all three of Chelsea’s goals, yet Lopetegui persisted with him over new signing Jean-Clair Todibo, a decision that backfired spectacularly.
Despite the mounting issues on the pitch, Lopetegui offered little in the way of a response. Throughout the game, Chelsea repeatedly sliced through West Ham’s porous defense, but no instructions or motivational gestures came from the touchline. For a team desperate for leadership in such a critical match, Lopetegui’s lack of energy and tactical intervention stood out.
### Future in Doubt
The lack of a rallying cry from the touchline during such a one-sided match has only deepened concerns about Lopetegui’s future at the club. With over £130 million spent on new players, the West Ham hierarchy may soon start to question whether their significant financial outlay would be better served under a different manager. While Lopetegui arrived with a solid reputation, his tenure in East London has been far from smooth, and the patience of the club’s owners may be wearing thin.
For Lopetegui, the clock is ticking. Unless he can quickly find a way to turn things around and inject some life into his squad, he could find himself on borrowed time. West Ham’s ambitions are clear, and they cannot afford to linger in the bottom half of the table for long. If the Spaniard cannot inspire his players to perform, the club’s leadership may be forced to make a difficult decision regarding his future.