Many voiced their doubts as to the price tag placed on Julen Lopetegui’s ‘priority signing’ of this summer: Much like EasyJet’s ‘Priority Boarding’ – many couldn’t see the point in paying a premium just to obtain a run-of-the-mill product badged up as something special.
West Ham United’s £40 million signing Max Kilman is slowly proving those dissenting voices wrong. It must be difficult starting under a new boss in a new dressing room with a forty million price tag, with most of the onlookers and the doubters just waiting for a mistake to yell ‘What a waste of forty million‘!
Kilman has gone about his business quietly, as seems his style, rather than in the fist-pumping blood and guts ‘Stuart Pearce’- type modus operandi. Leading by example, he is gradually showing, week by week, game by game, that he is more than just a big, 1.94 metre hulking centre back in the Issa Diop mode.
Yes he has provided some sterling last-ditch defensive blocks on both games so far – when we winced last year as Kurt Zouma put his body on the line, there is a reassuring solidity to Kilmans’ defensive work that instils nothing but confidence. It’s no co-incidence that his defensive partner Mavropanos seems to be growing in confidence alongside his colleague.
Max Kilman was sensational against Crystal Palace
However, there is a growth in Kilman’s stature being shown with his ball carry-out from defence that gives the team a new route forward and reminds me a little of Rio Ferdinand in his West Ham days. Most certainly Max is no ‘one trick pony’: Combined with the long range left foot cross field pass, which was evident right from pre-season for both he and Aguerd, it is clear now that Kilman is developing his game each outing.
I’m sure he is winning over doubters each week too. As West Ham enjoy their first clean sheet since January, thanks in no small part to Max Kilman, and Jarrod Bowen his first goal of the season thanks to Kilman’s through pass, it is clear that Lopetegui’s ‘priority signing’ is developing depth and extra dimensions for both himself, team results and the entertainment of our West Ham United faithful.
Value for money? Like ‘Priority Boarding’ – You get to decide that for yourself. Lopetegui certainly thinks so.
I thought both Kilman and Mavropanos were outstanding against Palace. Mav proving he has a place in the squad. Get rid of Aguerd and Zouma, Ings and Antonio can also move on, bring in Soller and Abrahams and we will be a force to reckon with in the Prem. Future looks bright
You forget Cornet. Another on the ‘get rid of’ list!
Actually, I’m beginning to doubt if we can get rid of any of them, seeing as the ones that want to go aren’t wanted and the ones that might be wanted don’t want to go! Catch 22?
Far too early to start bigging him up. Let’s see how he plays for the season.
I still think 40 million was far too much, but this is what football has become and good work by Wolves and Maidstone.
If only we could sell more players for money like that instead of giving them away because we’re desperate and be seen as a soft touch in most cases
Hopefully after the ‘clear-out’ and our new transfer policy working, we’ll get things right.
100 million for Judas Rice was silly and even then we should have asked for more like Brighton do.
Well said, Martin! Max Kilman is certainly winning me over and, after his impressive performances in the first two games, I think we have got real value for that £40 million. And, like you say, his coolness and confidence appears to be rubbing off on Mavropanos.