Though often not a competitive fixture in recent years, with Chelsea often coming out on top since the arrival of Roman Abramovich, the rivalry between West Ham and Chelsea is one of the most highly fought in the Premier League.
Animosity between fans of both clubs has once again been on the rise in recent seasons, and with so many tough fought battles between the clubs over the years, that certainly comes as no surprise.
On Monday evening, we could yet see another classic bout between the London neighbours, with Chelsea gearing up to take on West Ham at the London Stadium.
With so much riding on the game for both clubs, especially for Chelsea, the game could prove to be as vital as the second clash between the pair in the 2002/2003 season, where Paolo Di Canio managed to bag a second-half winner for the Hammers, with what was his final goal at the Bolyen Ground.
Though it hasn’t happened very often, West Ham managed to do the double over the Blues that season, and victory in the second game gave the relegation battlers hope of survival after a calamitous season. Unfortunately for them, they were unable to recover from what was a very poor season in the top flight, with relegation following a week later.
Nonetheless, the game remains a significant fixture in the minds of West Ham fans, and those that played on that day came close to helping to secure a miraculous recovery for the Hammers. Ahead of the next meeting between the clubs, we thought that it would make sense to harp back to that fateful day at the Boleyn Ground, and find out just what West Ham’s players are up to today.
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GK – David James
David James would go on to have a pretty successful career in football, with the goalkeeper leaving the Hammers in 2004.
Spells with Man City and Portsmouth, among others, alongside a lengthy career with the English national side would follow his time at the Boleyn Ground, eventually retiring in 2014.
Following retirement, he had a brief spell in coaching, serving a role for sides in India and Iceland alongside a spell with Luton Town.
Nowadays, James remains a regular feature on our screens, with the 46-year-old regularly appearing on BT Sport.
RB – Glen Johnson
Glen Johnson was one of the players that chose to leave West Ham following their relegation at the end of the season, with the Englishman moving across London to sign for Chelsea, who had just had a change in ownership.
His spell at Chelsea undoubtedly saw his most successful period with regards to trophies, picking up a Premier League and League Cup medal, but spells at both Liverpool and Portsmouth also involved success in domestic competition.
Johnson is one of the few players within this side still actively playing, with the now 32-year-old plying his trade for Stoke City in the Premier League.
CB – Tomas Repka
Notorious for his temper, Tomas Repka was an an impressive defender during his West Ham days.
He faded into obscurity somewhat following his departure from the Hammers, moving to Sparta Prague before finishing out his career in the Czech Republic.
After briefly trying his hand at coaching, it would appear as though Repka has moved away from football, with very little information around confirming what he is up to now.
CB – Christian Dailly
Another fine defender in this back line, Christian Dailly stayed contracted with the Hammers until 2007, before trying his hand with the likes of Rangers and Charlton.
Following his retirement, he took the typical route of looking to earn his coaching badges, but in an interview with the Scottish Herald in 2014, he revealed that he is now an Athletics coach.
LB – Rufus Brevett
Rufus Brevett retired in 2007 after moving to Oxford United.
Since then, he has remained keenly involved with football, managing Arlesey Town FC between 2013 and 2014, whilst also becoming a regular coach in the North Oxfordshire Academy.
Currently, he is the manager of Hansworth Villa in the Combined Counties League Premier Division.
CM – Steve Lomas
Steve Lomas spent the majority of his career with West Ham before leaving in 2005 and retiring a few years later.
He has subsequently gotten into coaching and management, enjoying spells as manager of St Neots Town and St Johnstone, with a managerial role at Millwall his latest major job.
He is also a pundit and reporter, regularly commenting on ongoing stories for the likes of TalkSport.
CM – Joe Cole
Like Glen Johnson, highly-rated Joe Cole moved to Chelsea following West Ham’s relegation in 2003.
He enjoyed a very succesful period at Chelsea, most notably winning 3 Premier League trophies and making it to the final of the UEFA Champions League.
He subsequently had spells at Liverpool and Lille before returning to West Ham in 2013.
Currently, he is residing in Tampa, where he plays for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the United Soccer League.
CM – Trevor Sinclair
Trevor Sinclair left West Ham in 2003, before embarking on spells with Manchester City and Cardiff City before retiring in 2008. He then returned for a brief spell with Lancaster City in 2014.
His brief spell playing for Lancaster City involved a singular substitute appearance, with Sinclair the assistant manager of the club at the time.
He is now a regular in the media, often featuring as a pundit.
FWD – Jermain Defoe
Jermain Defoe had a fairly nomadic career following his departure in 2004, with the forward playing for the likes of Tottenham, Portsmouth, Tottenham again and Toronto FC.
He now plays for Sunderland in the Premier League, where he has regained his form and is performing far better than anyone had expected upon his return to England. He is 34-years-old, but is showing no sign of slowing down.
FWD – Les Ferdinand
Les Ferdinand only enjoyed a solitary season at West Ham, leaving in the summer of 2003.
Officially retiring at just shy of 40-years-old, Ferdinand now works at former club Queens Park Rangers, where he is currently the Director of Football, a post that he has held since 2015.
FWD – Frederic Kanoute
Frederic Kanoute enjoyed the best spell of his career, but between 2003 and 2005 – he was a big part of proceedings at West Ham United. He eventually retired from the game in 2013.
Since retiring from the game, he has remained involved – with the 39-year-old now coaching. As of 2015, he was reportedly working with youth players at Sevilla.
SUB – Paolo Di Canio
Though he didn’t start the game, you can’t mention this fixture without discussing the enigmatic West Ham hero Paulo Di Canio. Scorer of the winning goal on the day – his last goal for the club at the famous Boleyn Ground – it has been impossible to ignore Di Canio since he retired in 2008.
He has had a couple of controversial spells in management with both Swindon Town and Sunderland, with his heavy-handed approach drawing criticism.
Often under the microscope, Di Canio was suspended from punditry duties in 2016 by Sky Italia after a controversial tattoo was revealed.
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