Strange Jean-Clair Todibo twist as star spotted at West Ham training before Brentford. West Ham fans are convinced Graham Potter will be the man to get the best out of summer signing Jean-Clair Todibo.
West Ham looked to have pulled off one of the signings of the summer window when they lured Jean-Clair Todibo to the London Stadium. UEFA blocked the French defender’s move to Manchester United due to multi-club ownership rules.
Juventus were then the big favourites to sign Todibo, who had made it clear Turn was his preferred destination. But Tim Steidten flew out to Nice and persuaded the 24-year-old to choose the Hammers.
It has been one of the most frustrating and peculiar transfers of recent times. West Ham finally looked to have gone out and signed two top class centre-backs in Todibo and Max Kilman.
Yet they have barely played together as Todibo was drip-fed into the team by Julen Lopetegui and has missed several spells through injury.
He was also forced to train with the Under 21s and banished from the squad after allegedly getting physical with Lopetegui during a row at half-time of the shambolic 5-2 defeat to Arsenal.
An injury in the 4-1 defeat at Man City, which saw Lopetegui’s disastrous tenure brought to an end, means Todibo has not been seen since.
Strange Todibo twist as star spotted at West Ham training. For some reason West Ham treat injuries like National Secrets and rarely release any details on them or recovery timelines.
Todibo was ruled out by club sources for eight-12 weeks. In the meantime, though, renewed speculation over a move Juventus emerged.
They say there’s no smoke without fire and word was Todibo wanted away. Given he is injured, it’s no great surprise Todibo did not leave before the deadline.
But as soon as the window closed, suddenly word emerged Todibo was set to return earlier than expect and was desperate to work under new boss Graham Potter. Relieved at Lopetegui’s sacking, it was claimed Todibo was ‘gutted’ that he was missing out on being part of the new Potter era.
Now there’s been a strange new Todibo twist as the star is spotted at West Ham training before Brentford.
West Ham majority owner David Sullivan admitted the commitment to sign Todibo for £32m was ‘hurting’ the club last month.
Hammers source suggests Todibo may not be back for Brentford. The obligation clause was triggered after five Premier League starts. So long as West Ham stay up – which looks a given – that money is due.
Todibo’s situation has been made all the more bizarre by the fact he’s been doing his recovery work in France.
He was even spotted watching his old team Nice playing Marseille while West Ham were in action at Aston Villa.
Positive news emerged when it was claimed Todibo will be back weeks earlier than expected.
It was stated Todibo would be back for this Saturday’s game against Brentford.
So there was excitement among Hammers fans when footage emerged of the former Barca centre-back at Rush Green.
Todibo was filmed walking into the training ground as West Ham’s players were asked who they thought would win the Super Bowl.
So West Ham fans finally looked set to see Todibo and Kilman playing together under Potter whenthe Bees come to the London Stadium.
