West Ham United’s Manuel Lanzini (R) in action with Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero (L) during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, Britain, 19 September 2015. PHOTO/AFP
LONDON, October 22- West Ham boss Slaven Bilic believes now is a good time to face Chelsea ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash at Upton Park.
Jose Mourinho’s men have struggled for form this season and are languishing down in 12th in the standings, having won just three of their nine games thus far.
The Hammers, meanwhile, have orchestrated good wins away to Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, and Bilic is feeling confident ahead of the game this weekend.
“This is a good time to play Chelsea, but they need to have a few good results,” Bilic said in his pre-match press conference. “Chelsea looked sharp against [Dynamo] Kiev and I watched the game [a 0-0 Champions League draw]. I was not happy afterwards because they looked really good as a team.
“It is a big challenge for us and a big test. It is not me against [Jose] Mourinho, it is West Ham against Chelsea. They are the champions and he is the best manager around. I am looking forward to it.
“I know Mourinho’s team are always hungry and no-one expected them to be where they are now. Sometimes that happens in football. I have watched all their games. If there was something major wrong he would be the first to change it. I see them finishing in top four.”
