Returning Jean-Clair Todibo drops subtle hint on West Ham future amid exit links

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Jean-Clair Todibo and Graham Potter have both confirmed the return of the French defender to West Ham’s squad for the Brentford clash.

West Ham take on Brentford at the London Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday.

The game marks exactly six weeks to the day that Jean-Clair Todibo limped off in West Ham’s 4-1 defeat at Man City.

That proved to be the last game of Julen Lopetegui’s disastrous West Ham tenure.

It has been well publicised – and was confirmed by Lopetegui – that he and Todibo had an altercation at half-time of a shambolic 5-2 defeat against Arsenal.

It’s alleged Todibo got physical with Lopetegui during that bust-up.

The manager tried to downplay the situation at the time, saying it was ‘nothing too important’.

It was important enough, though, to see Todibo banished from the squad for a game and made to train with the Under 21s.

Todibo was one of five players who got together to try and force West Ham to sack Lopetegui at the start of December.

Todibo continues to be linked with West Ham exit

It was around that time Graham Potter was put on standby.

A month later, Lopetegui was gone and Potter was in.

Todibo was said to be relived Lopetegui had been sacked and equally gutted to be missing out on working with new Hammers boss Potter last month.

That came amid yet more incessant speculation he wanted to leave the club in the winter window.

The likes of long-term admirers Juventus and Marseille were linked with moves for the 24-year-old.

There was claim and counter claim that Todibo was desperate to get out of east London – where he was persuaded to move only after Tim Steidten flew to Nice for a one-on-one meeting.

His former Nice teammate Kepheren Thuram even urged Tobido to leave West Ham for Juve.

Getting Todibo was seen as the star capture of a busy summer window.

But things have not worked out thus far with Todibo suffering a number of injuries after being drip-fed into the team by Lopetegui.

The former Barcelona man has also blown hot and cold when he has played.

One game where he did look good was the reverse fixture against Brentford.

Now he will be back in the Hammers squad for the game against the Bees at the London Stadium.

Returning Todibo drops subtle hint on West Ham future

And returning Todibo has dropped a subtle hint on his West Ham future amid exit links.

Before and since the window closed, there has been radio silence from Todibo.

He was spotted watching his his old side Nice against the team being linked with him – Marseille – when West Ham were playing at Aston Villa.

It was unclear at the time whether Todibo was taking in the game while in France as part of his recovery.

But it certainly set tongues wagging on whether he actually wants to be at West Ham.

Since then Manchester United and Juventus have both been linked with summer moves for Todibo.

The £32m Hammers appears to have made his feelings clear about West Ham, though.

Todibo has taken to social media ahead of his return to the squad for the Brentford clash.

And what he did on the post was a very deliberate insight into his feelings.

Todibo’s very deliberate social media post

“Back to training with the team, come on!” Todibo said alongside a Hammers emoji and four pictures training with the the first team.

Crucially, though, Todibo went out of his way to tag the post as his ‘Home’.

Those are not the actions of a player who is desperate for a move away from West Ham.

You can see Todibo’s very deliberate move under his name in his Instagram post below.

The fact Todibo is going out of his way in his post to make it clear he sees West Ham as his home is hugely encouraging for the club and Potter.

Hammers supporters are excited at the prospect of Todibo and Kilman playing regularly together under the new manager.

Potter’s system and style of play should suit both players down to the ground.

Whether Todibo is deemed fit enough to start against Brentford remains to be seen.

On his big return this weekend, Potter said: “Todibo is making good progress and has got a chance of making the squad.”