Presuming Graham Potter plans to roll out his new three-at-the-back system when the Premier League campaign kicks off, this will suit West Ham United defender Jean-Clair Todibo pretty nicely.
The former Barcelona youngster endured a difficult debut season in English football.
Hammers legend Tony Gale described Todibo’s defending as ‘lazy’ during the 3-1 victory over Ipswich Town in May. Troy Deeney, never one to pull his punches, was equally brutal in his assessment as the £36 million signing put up about as much resistance as a gazebo in a hurricane.
Deeney labelled Todibo a ‘disgrace’ when Nathan Broadhead waltzed past him and lashed past Alphonse Areola at Portman Road. So, of the many, many West Ham United players who head into the 2025/26 season with a point to prove, the big-money acquisition from OGC Nice will have more eyes upon him than most.
Yet, speaking to one-time Hammers centre-back Anton Ferdinand in the latest edition of Taxi Talks, Todibo explains in substantial detail Potter’s seemingly permanent shift towards a 3-4-2-1 system.
A system which could be to his eternal benefit.
Jean-Clair Todibo explains Graham Potter’s system at West Ham United
During those pre-season clashes with Manchester United, Everton and Bournemouth in the USA, Potter has set his team up with three central defenders and two wing-backs pushed high and wide.
Konstantinos Mavropanos, Nayef Aguerd and Max Kilman impressed during the 2-1 triumph over Everton in Chicago last week. While the former dealt well with the threat of David Moyes’ new £27 million striker Thierno Barry in his ‘central centre-defensive’ role, Aguerd and Kilman relished the freedom to cover the channels and push up into midfield.
Todibo, a modern, ball-playing defender influenced by his Barcelona past, is another who looks better suited to a back-three than a traditional flat-back-four.
“I am someone who can adapt a lot,” Todibo begins. “I don’t care a lot; Back five, back four, it’s the same [for me].
“It’s different on the pitch, for sure. The way you defend is different. Sometimes, with five at the back, with three centre-backs, you ask the right or left centre-back to go really high. So, you are not in your comfort zone.
“When you do this, you ask for the lads to shuffle a lot. It asks of you a lot of effort, a lot of questions, because also the opponent’s position is going to make you think a lot; ‘[Do] I have to drop, or to stay?’
“Sometimes, you are in between two positions. But this is also [about] working to make a connection. The [defensive] line has to be really connected if you want to play as a five.”
Hammers’ three-at-the-back formation could make ‘Potter-ball’ a reality
Todibo has struggled particularly up against mobile, quick-footed forwards since crossing the Channel from France into England.
But with Potter determined to put his own stamp on this West Ham side and replicate the patient, possession football he introduced at Brighton, a three-at-the-back system should maximise Todibo’s line-breaking talents and his composure on the ball.
“[Defending in] a four is easier. It looks more difficult but it’s easier without the ball. When you have the ball, a lot of teams start to create with three at the back,” Todibo adds.
“Sometimes, in a line of four, you put the [number] six between the two centre-backs. Then, the full-backs will start to go a bit higher, and the wingers will start to come inside and create more space.
“So, it’s a lot of tactics, something I love.”
With Kilman and Aguerd both natural left-footers, Todibo will hope to nail down the right-sided spot in Potter’s back three over the coming months.
Potter has been impressed by Todibo’s growing understanding with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jarrod Bowen on the flank; The Frenchman often the trigger for quick breaks with his intelligent, probing passes up the pitch.
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