Glenn Hoddle Slams West Ham’s Emerson Palmieri for Subpar Performance Against Chelsea
Former England manager Glenn Hoddle has strongly criticized West Ham defender Emerson Palmieri for his underwhelming performance in the 5-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday. Hoddle’s scathing remarks came as Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea secured their second consecutive Premier League win, dominating West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
Hoddle, analyzing the match for Premier League Productions, was unimpressed with West Ham’s lackluster display, particularly their defensive shortcomings. “They don’t seem worried,” he observed. “They appear to be a side that only wants to play when they have possession, as if getting the ball is the easiest part of the game.”
Hoddle specifically targeted Emerson Palmieri, criticizing his sluggish start to the second half. “Emerson is still in the dressing room,” he quipped. “He hasn’t switched on three minutes into the second half. He has emerged from the changing room tunnel, and his condition is appalling.”
Hoddle’s comments were echoed by former West Ham striker Jermain Defoe, who lambasted the team’s defensive performance under manager David Moyes. “I believe that performance does not reflect West Ham as a football club,” Defoe stated. “When you play for West Ham and you can’t really compete with the other teams in terms of how you play, and your performance doesn’t reflect West Ham, you have to work hard first and foremost.”
Defoe also questioned Moyes’ defensive tactics, given his reputation as a defensive-minded coach. “You’d like to believe that if you’re a defensive-minded coach, you don’t surrender many goals,” Defoe said. “Against a strong Chelsea team, but if you look at Chelsea over the previous decade, you wouldn’t say it’s a Chelsea team where you can go and allow five goals.”
Hoddle’s and Defoe’s criticisms highlight West Ham’s need to improve their defensive solidity and overall work rate to compete with top-tier teams like Chelsea.
