Jean Clair Todibo is undoubtedly set for some first-team action when West Ham travel to Liverpool on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup.
Given the performances of the Hammers’ defence, particularly Konstantinos Mavropanos, there has been a growing demand for Todibo to be selected to start for West Ham. While this puts a certain amount of pressure on the French defender, it certainly feels like the time to try something different.
However, it’s important that the form of the Barcelona centre-back isn’t just thrown to the lions against a formidable Liverpool front line, albeit a rotated one. Playing away at Anfield is a difficult task under any circumstances, and whoever plays in defense is likely to struggle.
Todibo started in the previous round against Bournemouth and was far from convincing. The 24-year-old was substituted early in the game and has reportedly been told that he is not tough enough for Premier League football.
Nonetheless, it’s crucial that he is given a chance to prove himself, not just against Liverpool, but also in the following game away to Brentford. The loanee has an obligation to buy clause of £3 million and was coveted by Manchester United and Juventus, making him a signing that West Ham cannot afford to miss.
I am somewhat concerned that a poor showing on Wednesday night in the League Cup could result in Mavropanos being reinstated to the starting lineup for the Premier League fixture against Brentford.
I’m not suggesting for a moment that Todibo is the answer to all of West Ham’s problems, but Julen Lopetegui needs to start building a defense, and the club’s long-term strategy is clearly cantered around a Max Kilman and Jean Clair Todibo partnership, so we might as well start now.
I am now reading that Steidten and J-Lo are not on the same page – one of the reasons for moving on from Moyes was his wasting money in the transfer market – Vlasic, Scamacca and Aguerd were all expensive buys that didn’t quite work out – now we have Guillherme who can’t even get on the bench, Todibo who is not tough enough, Rodriguez who can’t run and Fullkrug who was meant to hit the ground running – also remember that the much maligned Mavropanos was also a Steidten buy
I hope that we are not in for a long hard season
COYI
Liverpool are into five games in a ridiculously short amount of time with this one being their least important – They will rotate big time is our chance.
Our problem against Chelsea was the way that the team was played through not individuals who were left exposed. That will have been the after match focus that will not have been missed.
If Todibo is genuinely thought to be not tough enough for premier league football then he will not be given the five starts that obligates us to pay what was it £34M I can’t see that, he’s six foot three and like an outhouse, tough enough should be second nature.