West Ham United boss David Moyes has heaped praise on Chelsea, describing them as fantastic ahead of the Premier League clash on Saturday.
The Blues come into the match off the back of a 2-1 defeat against Southampton on Tuesday, while the Irons drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur.
Chelsea have earned seven points from five matches, with West Ham sitting on four with the same games played.
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With the match originally scheduled for Sunday, the clash was moved to Saturday by the Premier League due to Chelsea facing Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia on Tuesday.
Speaking ahead of the match, Moyes has admitted that travelling to Stamford Bridge will be a tough challenge for his West Ham side.
He said: ”Chelsea are always a big opponent for whoever plays them.
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“They have some really fantastic players and they are trying to put together a new team as well just now and maybe a new club in fact, if you look at the changes Chelsea have made to make over the last year or two.
“Big changes there and sometimes, changes take a bit of time.”
The Scotsman finalised by comparing his side to Chelsea, reflecting on last season’s results.
“We've had some good games at home against them, some good results, I think we lost in the 93rd-minute against them at Stamford Bridge last year.
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“It's telling us we're getting closer and I think over recent years Chelsea have been world champions, European champions, they've always had a good team.”
Thomas Tuchel is also expecting a tough match against a physical West Ham side.
The German warned his players that they must ‘toughen up’ or be left behind in the Premier League this season.
“They are what they are, a very physical team,” he said on West Ham. “I have the feeling they are a strong group with a good team spirit, a strong group together with the manager.
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“They know what they are. They have periods where they can create huge moments, momentums within minutes. They have periods where they dig in and defend deep with a lot of discipline.
“Always ready to hurt you on counter attacks with speed and physicality. Then a lot of crosses with Soucek arriving in the box for headers with set pieces where they are strong and physical.
"They struggled a little bit getting results and growing into the season. They had also some late signings, which injected a lot of quality and personality. Will be a tough derby.”
Topics: Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel, David Moyes, Football, Premier League, West Ham United
Nick Emms