West Ham United midfielder Guido Rodriguez was substituted before half-time during the Hammers’ 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at the London Stadium, with journalist Jacob Steinberg criticising the east London club’s recruitment of the player.
A brace from Nicolas Jackson gave the Blues a commanding lead at the break, before Cole Palmer secured the points for the travelling team on the counter-attack just 71 seconds into the second period, as Enzo Maresca’s outfit ran out comfortable winners.
The result leaves the Irons with just one win from their opening five Premier League games, with Julen Lopetegui’s side losing all three of their home games thus far and the Spaniard now under “massive pressure”.
Given the substantial number of incoming players and the seismic investment in Lopetegui’s squad that took place over the summer, the club’s hierarchy likely expected a better start under the Spaniard.
Rodriguez, who arrived on a free transfer from Real Betis, has struggled so far in a claret and blue shirt, and was left humiliated after being replaced by Tomas Soucek just 38 minutes into the game.
Guido Rodriguez Signing Criticised
The midfielder was released by Betis
Spending five years at Betis, Rodriguez departed the Spanish side this summer after his contract expired with the club. Seeking a challenge in a new league, the Argentine joined West Ham after Lopetegui pushed for the acquisition of the player on a free transfer.
It’s fair to say that the former Real Madrid manager’s insistence on adding the 30-year-old to his ranks hasn’t been justified yet. Starting all five Premier League games for the Hammers so far, Rodriguez has looked laboured on the ball and has failed to adapt to the pace and intensity of the English game.
Writing on X, The Guardian journalist Steinberg lamented West Ham’s business this summer, using the former Betis man’s embarrassing substitution to chastise the club’s recruitment:
“West Ham’s recruitment… 30yo midfielder signed on a free from La Liga struggling with pace of the PL, hooked before half time in fifth game… who could have predicted it.
“Big problem for West Ham for a long time was a lack of pace and physicality in midfield. Moyes sorted it with Rice and Soucek. It’s amazing they’ve reverted to slow and ponderous since the sale of Rice. Alvarez overrated. Constantly out of position, booked too much.”
The Irons signed nine players this summer, with Rodriguez not the only new addition who has struggled to settle in and hit the ground running. £27.5 million arrival Niclas Fullkrug has yet to start a league game or find the back of the net, while £25 million Crysencio Summerville started his first game, but was removed from the pitch for Michail Antonio nine minutes after the interval.