Max Kilman was in the mix to be among the contenders for West Ham’s player of the season following his move from Wolves.
That is no great achievement this term of course given just how bad things have turned out for West Ham.
But former Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Max Kilman will not be getting anywhere close now, barring a remarkable turnaround.
Kilman became the most expensive defender in the history of West Ham when they paid Wolves £40m for his services in the summer.
Eyebrows were raised about the fee West Ham paid Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The sizeable sum was also the club’s biggest single outlay of the summer rebuild.
But when West Ham formally announced the capture of Kilman from Wolves it made sense in so many ways.
The 27-year-old London-born star was the prime defensive target of West Ham head coach – and former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss – Julen Lopetegui.
But he would become the shortest-serving permanent West Ham manager in 130 years.
Kilman will be around a lot longer having signed a seven-year contract at the London Stadium.
Signing the captain of a Premier League rival at a prime age of their career is rare for clubs like West Ham. It is usually the preserve of Europe’s elite.
They certainly don’t come cheap, especially when they are English.
Some top clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea and Napoli were all linked with the ball-carrying centre-back before West Ham signed him.
Wolves fans were spot on about Kilman’s move to West Ham
Many Hammers fans raised doubts about Kilman’s quality and the size of the fee.
The way he started the season, standing out even when West Ham were struggling for performances and results, made a mockery of his doubters.
It now seems Wolves fans were spot on about Kilman’s move to West Ham but it’s not a lost cause.
Many Wolves fans actually celebrated the sale of their captain for £40m to West Ham.
The inference from many Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters was that Kilman was overrated and the Hammers had overpaid.
Hammers News even spoke to a top Wolves expert and journalist to address fears over Kilman in the wake of the move.
Tom Procter told Hammers News that there had been criticism from Wolves fans towards Kilman. But he felt much of it had been ‘harsh and over the top’.
On selling their skipper to the Hammers, Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs even spoke out to warn ungrateful fans they will miss Kilman.
Hammers clearly overpaid for £40m Kilman
The common theme in criticism of Kilman was that he was too weak, a liability and could only be trusted if paired with a more dominant partner.
It was noted by Wolverhampton Wanderers’ fans that Kilman really came into his own when Craig Dawson arrived from West Ham.
With Kilman as part of a new-look West Ham defence, the team has continued to concede goals at an alarming rate.
Only three teams have shipped more this season.
The Irons concede two goals per game on average. They are on course to break their unwelcome Premier League record for goals conceded in a season – with 74 against them last term.
West Ham fans had been raving about Kilman earlier this season.
But his performances have fallen off a cliff.
And it is now indisputable that Wolves fans were right in their assessment of Kilman.
Why Kilman is not a lost cause for Hammers
He has looked far too weak and a liability at times – as was the case in West Ham’s latest defeat, 2-0 to Palace on Saturday.
It it far from being a lost cause, though.
Because Kilman has showed Wolves fans were also right about the quiet former futsal star being at his best alongside a more dominant central defensive partner.
West Ham royalty Bobby Moore would struggle to look good alongside Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Let alone Kilman.
But there have been glimpses – only fleeting ones – that when Jean-Clair Todibo is fit and focused, Kilman can thrive.
Todibo is undoubtedly a more dominant presence defensively.
The Frenchman has had a strange first season disrupted by lack of fitness, injuries and an altercation with Lopetegui.
He will be out injured for the foreseeable future.
But the hope is that Graham Potter will be able to get the best out him given how comfortable he is on the ball.
Todibo or dominant new partner will be key to Kilman’s success
That – or signing another dominant central defender to replace Mavropanos – will be key to making it work for Kilman at West Ham.
It’s clear the Hammers have overpaid – possibly by as much as £15-20m – for the ex Welling and Maidenhead player.
His concentration levels and marking have been horrendous in recent months.
Kilman has attracted a lot of criticism for his performance against Palace.
The way he backed off for one of the goals has seen him likened to disastrous former Hammers defenders Roger Johnson and Gary Breen.
Kilman is very much a confidence player. And on paper he should fit a Potter team perfectly with his attributes.
He needs a dominant partner to play alongside and build a relationship with on a consistent basis.
Whether that’s Todibo long term remains to be seen.
But whatever happens there, a new central defender must arrive to replace Mavropanos, without a shadow of a doubt.
Once his defensive partner is sorted, West Ham will start seeing the true Kilman and a return on their investment.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
