West Ham’s 34-Year-Old Summer Signing Just Made Himself Undroppable

By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)

Surely Joël Veltman has to start against Watford this weekend.

I’ve got a huge amount of sympathy for Kyle Walker-Peters because he’s the man I think Veltman should replace, but KWP hasn’t enjoyed the best start to the Championship season and the squad is there for a reason.

That’s particularly frustrating because Walker-Peters was excellent against Portsmouth earlier this month. Unfortunately, he hasn’t maintained that level in the league.

Veltman, meanwhile, absolutely oozed class during West Ham’s 4-1 win at Southampton.

Nuno had already given Veltman the nod ahead of Walker-Peters at St Mary’s, and the Dutchman grabbed his opportunity with both hands.

In a team packed with youngsters, the 34-year-old provided leadership and helped coach those around him through what could have been a difficult away cup tie.

His positioning and defending were excellent, but it was his reading of the game that really stood out.

At times he looked a class above anybody else on the pitch.

Veltman Showed Everything

There was a real quality to his performance because we saw pretty much everything.

Veltman defended incredibly well, got stuck in when required and showed he’s more than capable of the darker, dirtier side of the game.

But he also demonstrated there’s absolutely nothing wrong with his fitness.

For West Ham’s third goal, Veltman outmanoeuvred his marker following Airidas Golambeckis’ ball down the line, drove into the Southampton penalty area and cut the ball back perfectly for Taty Castellanos to score.

That’s impressive energy from somebody supposedly in the twilight years of his career.

It’s also exactly the sort of experience West Ham hoped they were getting when Nuno moved for Veltman on a free transfer this summer. His ability to play both right-back and centre-back was part of the attraction, but his leadership could prove every bit as valuable.

Places Have To Be Earned

Walker-Peters will undoubtedly have better games for West Ham, but places have to be earned and retained on merit.

There is competition for his position now and that’s precisely how a squad should work.

For me, he’s earned earned the shirt.

I’d start Veltman against Watford.