One in the eye for the conspiracy theorists at West Ham who were convinced that the signing of Jean-Clair Todibo last summer was part of some INEOS inspired rule circumnavigation in which West Ham were complicit.
Todibo, you’ll recall, came to West Ham from OGC Nice who themselves share minority ownership via INEOS with Manchester United and therefore inter-player deals are forbidden under UEFAs rules.
So when a player the calibre of Todibo – who was wanted by United before UEFA stopped the transfer – arrived at West Ham last summer, the surprise gave way to cynicism that he’d be on his way to Old Trafford 12 months later as soon as his loan period ended in some kind of shady back-room deal to hold him at West Ham for a season and get around the rules that way.
Suffice to say neither the player nor West Ham have delivered for the conspiracy theorists and ‘JCT’ himself just about laid the whole story to bed today with a well fashioned article on whufc.com in which he alluded to the end of his year-long loan and the formality of his signing a four year deal asa West Ham player.
“It’s always better to be fixed on your future, so it’s great to be here another four years, and I’m really happy to now be a permanent West Ham player…
Pretty resounding then: Todibo has no plans to head off anywhere – certainly not to Old Trafford any time in the next four years.
I think the Lad has a bright future, he’s definitely comfortable on the ball. I agree he has alot to learn defensively, but he is only young and 1st season is always hard for some to adapt etc. Im looking forward to seeing him thrive this season.
Hes committed to us now W Ham it’s up to you to get the best out of him Weve failed so many times with top players
I’m taking the optimistic view that JCT will have a better season now that he has settled in and gets the Premier League, and that his signing pays off and he stays.
Good news he’s committed and hopefully focused. Like Kilman though he isn’t delivering the performances so far that the money spent justify. He needs to be fit for 90 mins physically and mentally switched on and focused. So far he hasn’t managed that.
Difficult to paint this news as a positive given the last 12 months?! IF there was a hidden agenda, It would be hard to imagine Man Utd looking at his first PL season and deciding to offer us a significant profit on £35 million outlay!! I’m sure the club would take their hand off if this was the case.
I think it’s pretty naive to think that just because a player has 4 years on his contract, that he won’t move somewhere else before said contract expires. Especially as we know that if the right bid is made, our owners will sell.