Jean-Clair Todibo set for extended run in West Ham XI – sources
Jean-Clair Todibo is set for an extended run in the starting XI at West Ham in the coming weeks, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that Julen Lopetegui will look to rotate his team in a bid to find an improved run of form after disappointing results.
Having arrived at the London Stadium on loan during the summer transfer window, Todibo has yet to start a Premier League game under Lopetegui.
Instead, another new signing Max Kilman has been chosen to start alongside Konstantinos Mavropanos, and has turned in some impressive performances.
It could now be Mavropanos who drops out of the starting lineup to make way for the 24-year-old, who has been backed to strengthen the Hammers’ back line with his presence.
Todibo has started one game for West Ham, but was taken off after 45 minutes during the 1-0 EFL Cup win against Bournemouth.
Julen Lopetegui to hand Jean-Clair Todibo first West Ham league start
Much of the Hammers’ summer spending was focused on improving a shaky defence, with last season’s regulars Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd both moved on.
In their place, Todibo and Kilman arrived alongside the addition of Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back as Lopetegui oversaw an overhaul of the back line.
As a result, the players are expected to take time to gel and form partnerships in defence, with the boss now set to experiment with different pairings.
Todibo’s transfer saga was a dramatic one for the Hammers as they swooped at the last minute to hijack his move to Juventus, and he is now set to be handed an opportunity to make their efforts worth it.
At 24 years old, the Frenchman remains one of the most highly-regarded defenders in Europe, and his arrival was seen as a huge coup by the recruitment team.
Lopetegui is still looking to find his feet at West Ham after one win, a draw and two losses in their first four league games, with squad rotation now on the cards.
The centre-back’s presence in the team is expected to provide more of a solid foundation as the Hammers search for just a second clean sheet of the season.
In other news, an update has emerged on the future of West Ham-linked Joel Matip.
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