Julen Lopetegui has been facing growing calls to bring Jean-Clair Todibo into the West Ham team and now they may get louder.
When West Ham signed Jean-Clair Todibo it made a statement of intent across Europe.
The French centre-back was arguably West Ham’s biggest capture of a brilliant summer window.
Todibo was genuinely wanted by both Manchester United and Juventus in the summer.
But INEOS’s involvement with Nice and Man United saw UEFA block the Red Devils from signing him due to strict multi-club ownership rules.
Todibo then looked a dead cert to sign for Italian giants Juventus.
But West Ham technical director Tim Steidten had other ideas.
The German flew out to Nice and, true to form when Steidten takes to his jet, West Ham got their man.
Beating Juve to the defender raised eyebrows across Europe and was a real show of intent from the Irons.
West Ham fans frustrated with Lopetegui over Todibo
After a disrupted pre-season, Todibo has only made one start for West Ham so far in a win over Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup.
He looked somewhat rusty in that game. But the club’s fans saw enough to serenade Todibo with the William Saliba chant.
Many of them feel Konstantinos Mavropanos should make way for Todibo in the starting line-up.
The fact Todibo has not gone straight into the West Ham team despite being the headline signing, coupled with his inauspicious debut in the cup, has given rise to some conspiracy theories.
It was suggested West Ham may have cold feet about signing Todibo – who is on loan with an obligation clause – for big money after getting a close look at him.
Fabrizio Romano recently put those theories to bed, insisting it is still inevitable West Ham sign Todibo permanently.
The international break looked like it had come at the perfect time for Todibo and Julen Lopetegui.
UEFA post insane footage of new West Ham star Todibo
Giving both player and manager two weeks of training to work on fitness and tactics.
But when Lopetegui named his team for Fulham, Todibo was once again on the bench.
Mavropanos – by no means terrible this season – retained his place but went on to make a mistake for the Fulham goal.
The situation has left many scratching their heads.
Footage of Todibo in training this week makes it doubtful he will start against Chelsea either.
The 24-year-old comes off second best in a few situations and still a touch rusty. So fans will be questioning why he wasn’t just thrown in the team from the start to find his match fitness and form.
Time will tell whether Lopetegui has taken the right approach.
But now UEFA have posted insane footage of new West Ham star Todibo and it piles pressure on Lopetegui.
UEFA’s official Europa Conference League account has taken to X to share a video of Todibo looking absolutely sublime.
The montage shows off his array of talents as he sweeps up in defence, makes tackles and interceptions and carries the ball forward with great skill.
It’s a sight to behold.
“Jean-Clair Todibo sweeping up,” UEFA Conference League posted alongside the video.
Video piles pressure on Lopetegui to play Todibo
The footage will only spark further questions as to why Lopetegui doesn’t have this man in the West Ham starting XI yet.
Had Todibo been blooded from the start, he’d be nearing top match fitness by now.
Instead he’s effectively played one half of football while the rest of the league gets up and running to top speed.
As a result it makes it increasingly difficult to give Todibo his head.
It’s a problem Lopetegui has created for himself.
But if this is what West Ham can expect from him in the claret and blue, it’s clear the former Barcelona man needs to be in the team as soon as possible.
Especially as he must make five Premier League starts in order to make his Hammers move permanent.
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