When West Ham United signed Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice in 2024, they thought they were getting a dependable centre-half with the ball-playing skills to aid the transition towards a more possession-based gameplan post-David Moyes.
It is fair to say, barring the odd standout performance against Fulham, Bournemouth and Manchester City, that £35 million gamble has not paid off.
Todibo seems certain to leave the London Stadium, especially after that very public falling out with Nuno Espirito Santo. Todibo’s attitude was nothing short of ‘disgraceful’, former West Ham United striker Dean Ashton said, when storming off down the tunnel at St James’ Park.
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You will not find many making similar complaints about Dylan Lawlor; the young Cardiff City defender who, according to The Athletic, has emerged as an option ahead of West Ham’s defensive rebuild.
Capped six times by Wales before his 21st birthday, Lawlor’s rapid rise owes as much to a maturity beyond his years as it does an extremely impressive skillset. A skillset capped by a passing range that would impress even ex-Barcelona man Todibo.
West Ham United linked with Cardiff City defender Dylan Lawlor
Danny Gabbidon, 2006’s Hammer of the Year, knows more than most about life as a West Ham centre-back.
Speaking to BBC Sport Wales in April, Gabbidon admitted he was worried about Cardiff’s ability to keep hold of young Lawlor beyond the summer. But if the Caerphilly-born colossus was to swap one of Gabbidon’s former clubs for another, you’d imagine that would ease the 46-year-old’s frustrations somewhat.
“He’s a talent, the boy,” said Gabbidon, an FA Cup finalist and promotion winner under Alan Pardew. “I think the biggest thing that’s impressed me about him, having met him a couple of times, is his attitude and his application and his professionalism.”
In an age where centre-backs are as coveted for their passing as they are their positioning, it is no surprise to see Lawlor attract interest from higher up the pyramid.
Gabbidon was renowned for his composure in possession as well during his own playing days. Former centre-back partner James Collins likened him to Rio Ferdinand. And ‘Gabbs’ can see shades of himself in Cardiff’s number 48.
“He makes the game look really easy at times. And defending, you don’t see many young centre-backs that play with his level of maturity, so young,” Gabbidon added. “It reminds me a little bit of myself.
“He’s had a fantastic breakthrough season and he’s only just getting started. There’s so much more to come from him. He’s a super talented player.”
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Craig Bellamy full of praise for six-time Wales international
Lawlor would become a social media sensation back in February. In a 4-0 win away to Doncaster, he charged from one end of the pitch to the other before sliding home, breezing past numerous home players along the way.
Just one month later, he produced what Wales boss and ex-West Ham striker Craig Bellamy described as an ‘outstanding’ performance on the international stage; keeping the legendary Edin Dzeko quiet in a heartbreaking World Cup play-off defeat by Bosnia.
“I liked how robust he was and how he could stand up to a challenge, which is always difficult for young players coming in,” Bellamy told the BBC.
“We know his ability with the ball, it’s clear for everyone to see. Give him the ball and he can develop and commit the game but, off the ball and in duels, I thought he was really exceptional against some really big, physical players.
“He was outstanding.”
In April, Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman insisted he had ‘zero intention’ of letting Lawlor leave after promotion back to the Championship was secured.
But after Gabbidon predicted that ‘there is going to be a lot of big clubs’ taking an interest, West Ham’s admiration for the Welsh wonderkid should really test Cardiff’s mettle.
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