Chelsea news LIVE updates

Courtois new deal

21.25: Thibaut Courtois has claimed he sees no reason why he will not sign a new deal with Chelsea, despite family reasons luring him back to Madrid.

“My private situation is always gnawing a little bit, but for the rest I'm feeling very good at Chelsea,” he said.

“I don't see any reason why I won't sign a new deal. I just want to consider all options. Everything has to be right.

“It's not the right moment to make hastily decisions. Not for Chelsea, not for me. Within a couple of months we will sit around the table again and talk openly.

“There's no pressure, apart from the media. The clubs knows that too. Basically I want an agreement before the end of the season. Normally with Chelsea."

Chelsea out of the title race

17.44: Antonio Conte admits the title race is over.

The Blues boss saw his side rocked by West Ham and sentenced to their fourth defeat of the season.

And Conte has thrown in the towel after just 16 games.

They are 11 points behind Manchester City who have a game in hand - against Manchester United tomorrow.

And the Italian insists four defeats is too much to fight back from.

“We have to consider these four games that we lose after 16 games,” Conte said.

“When you lose four games my experience, my previous experience tells me that it’s impossible to fight for the title.

“In 16 games to lose four games it means the target must be another.”

Cahill speaks

15.00: Gary Cahill admits Chelsea were off the pace in their defeat to West Ham.

"We were well off it, we allowed them to get the early goal, we have been tight at the back recently and that was a poor one to concede,” he said.

"We just didn't play our stuff. It's frustrating. We were just not at the races - for whatever reason that is. It's disappointing to come off and feel like that.

"I'm not one to make excuses. We do have loads of games - but if we played to our levels today we get something out of the game. But we didn't.

"West Ham of course deserve credit, but we didn't create as much as we can do.

"This was a huge game for us. We needed to win this game. We have to reflect and try and freshen up."

David Luiz on his way

14.15: David Luiz is almost certain to leave Chelsea in January.

That is according to Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson.

Luiz is currently out with a knee injury but he had already lost his place in the team following a row with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.

The Brazil international was dropped last month after clashing with Conte ahead of their 1-0 win over Manchester United.

After that match, Conte said Luiz needed to work harder to regain his spot in the team.

But since then Luiz has made just one start with Andreas Christensen given a run in the side.

On Friday, Conte was again reluctant to discuss Luiz saying: “I think now this is not the right moment to speak about this.

“Now there is a lot of games before the transfer window. 

“Now I think is not the right moment to speak about this. Now this is not important.”

Joe Cole on Fabregas

12.20: Cesc Fabregas is one of a kind.

That is according to former Chelsea star Joe Cole.

Fabregas has been lighting up Stamford Bridge this term and been laying goals on a plate for Alvaro Morata.

“In Cesc Fabregas you’ve got a diamond,” Cole said on Sky Sports.

“There aint no one else like him in the Premier League - maybe David Silva - you get legs around him, you get him on the ball in good areas, get him to turn and then Morata running in behind, Hazard getting onto the ballad he’s been used so well.

“I think he’s got another five or six years in him at the top, because he’s not a sprinter is he?”

Paul Merson prediction

12.00: Chelsea sre far superior to West Ham and will take all the points from the London Stadium, according to Paul Merson.

Chelsea travel across to east London this afternoon to take on the Hammers.

The Blues will go level with second-placed Manchester United with three points and put pressure on them and Manchester City.

West Ham meanwhile are trying to stay afloat and will go level with fourth-bottom West Brom with a win but will remain in the bottom three on goal difference.

But Merson doesn’t seem them getting anything and thinks they will be concentrating on other battles.

“These aren't the games that matter for West Ham,” Merson told Sky Sports. 

“I know it is a London derby and they don't like each other. I don't expect them to get anything from this, but if you lose to Arsenal and Chelsea it isn't too bad.

“It is the games against Stoke, Newcastle and Bournemouth that matter most. Chelsea are a superior football team by far. West Ham's battles are still to come.

“Chelsea have turned a corner, and have some good fixtures coming up, so I expect them to be putting pressure on Manchester City.”

West Ham vs Chelsea

11.30: Chelsea are in action against West Ham in the Premier League today.

Follow the game live here: West Ham vs Chelsea LIVE

West Ham team news hint

10:05: A West Ham insider has dropped a hint of the team that will face Chelsea today on Twitter.

Reliable source of Hammers news, Twitter user @ExWHUemployee, was asked if there was any hints on the line-up ahead of the London Stadium clash.

He confirmed changes would be made and gave a hint that Adrian may keep his place in the team ahead of Michael Vaughan.

@ExWHUemployee said: "There are a few changes to the team. One player is injured, a couple have returned from injury and go into the team.

"I said I wanted Adrian, Rice and Sakho to start next game-1 of them does. Whatever is happening off the pitch got to support those on it like I’m sure we will."

Sensational David Luiz claim

09:10: Real Madrid have moved a step closer to signing Chelsea star David Luiz on loan, it has been claimed

Spanish website Don Balon are reporting the former PSG star is edging closer towards a sensational loan move to Madrid with his future at Stamford Bridge up in the air.

It is said the Blues are willing to let the centre-back leave the club.

His decision to question Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has not gone down well, particularly given how they have bounced back from a torrid run of results to challenge for the league title.

Chelsea team for West Ham match

08:50: Chelsea face West Ham today - so who will start for the Blues?

We have a handy gallery above to take you through the predicted side.

Ballon d'Or for Kante?

08:10: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is adamant N’Golo Kante would get his hands on the Ballon d’Or if the coaches were allowed to vote.

“Honestly I don't know if N'Golo Kante can win the Ballon d'Or in his life because of the characteristics of this player,” he said.

“But for me, he is the Ballon d'Or. For a coach Kante has to win, for every coach.”

Moyes' Hazard admission

08:00: David Moyes has made an admission ahead of West Ham’s clash with Chelsea this afternoon.

The Scot claims he would have Eden Hazard man-marked at the London Stadium today - so dangerous is the Belgian magician.

But Moyes says he can’t - because none of his players are good enough.

Moyes admitted: “There are occasions when I would consider man-marking. Hazard is a player who would definitely come into that category.

“I’ve done it in the past with other players like David Silva at Manchester City.

“The problem is I don’t know if I’ve got someone who is the type of player to be a man-marker."