Transfer window dominoes is, I think the unofficial term for it: The unintended consequences of transfers elsewhere impacting on other sides as replacements are frantically sought by clubs letting their prized assets leave. Especially frenetic mid-season.
Failing to secure Marc Guehiu in the summer, Liverpool are reported as planning another January’ swoop’ for the Crystal Palace defender to patch up their unreliable back line. And in an ‘exclusive’ this morning, footballinsider247.com claim that the Eagles have already set their sights on West Ham’s Maximilian Kilman as a potential replacement should they have to part with Guehi.
Which will be a massive conflict of decision making at West Ham if a bid does come forth: Kilman has never justified his £40 million price tag and for large parts of his career under Lopetegui and Potter has underperformed. The quiet man in the heart of West Ham[‘s defence looks to have stepped up under Espírito Santo – but it is too early to tell whether his performance will be better under West Ham’s new Portuguese coach.
Nuno is a big Kilman fan – but will he resist a January move?
Reportedly a big Kilman proponent, will Nuno want to weaken his defence with a sale in January? Certainly the Irons would need to shop for other centre backs in January, being unwilling to further weaken the squad with a Kilman departure unless a replacement is found.
If the irons can recoup anything like the £40 million they paid it would be a compelling deal form a financial point of view, and so a fascinating conundrum and potential flash point between Sullivan the money man and Espírito Santo the coach.
Don’t think he’s justified his price tag yet, but he’s on a long contract and if we could bring in two (CB and CF) it shouldn’t be given a second thought.
I suspect Sullivan may be on the back foot a bit at the moment. If, and it’s still a big if, Kilman becomes a key part of a much improved defensive set up then can”t see him forcing Nuno to sell him to say fund a new striker in Jan. Think he will want to keep Nuno sweet for now to avoid more relegation fears and even more problems with the fan base. Unless Nuno wants to deal, don’t think it will happen. Early days yet, but promoting coaches, giving young players a chance, dropping JWP, giving us a much better defensive structure are all positive signs. Think we may have stumbled on a good fit for a change.