OPINION
While no one is guaranteed a place in the starting XI at West Ham, there are some players where only exceptional circumstances will mean Manuel Pellegrini drops the axe.
Lukasz Fabianski appears to be one, with Adrian firmly playing second fiddle to the summer signing, while star striker Marko Arnautovic is probably the only other player you could say was almost undroppable from the first team.
However, the Austrian giant appears to be facing a fight to recover from an injury blow for the match against Chelsea, with Pellegrini’s latest update on the attacking powerhouse revealing that he has had to undertake some treatment to his knee.
Speaking to football.london, he said: “Marko finished with a problem in his knee, he had treatment, we will see if he will be fit for Sunday.”
It does not sound like good news for the forward and the Hammers faithful will be praying for a miracle, hoping that he can make a speedy recovery, for if not, do they really stand any chance against the Blues?
Maurizio Sarri’s side have looked dominant in nearly all their top flight games this season and the only chance the Hammers have of defeating them is with their top stars firing on all cylinders – which seems unlikely considering the state of Arnautovic right now.
At best, with the treatment and lack of training, it seems as though he is destined for a place on the bench, while at worst he misses out completely.
Lucas Perez is not going to cause any sort of fear in the hearts of the Chelsea defence if he is chosen to start, and the Irons almost need Arnautovic to be fit in a bid to win that mental battle before kick off.