It’s common knowledge, now that our Premier League status has finally been confirmed, that central defender Jean-Clair Todibo will be our first paid for addition of this summer transfer window.
Our original loan option for the Nice defender included the obligation to buy if we survived the drop. Now we have been assured of that, Graham Potter’s budget for new faces, already under the threat that he can’t spend without selling first - according to a ‘top source’ commenting on his unofficial site and quoting FFP rules as the reason - is being trimmed by the previously promised £35m heading across the channel to his previous club Nice.It’s a deal apparently agreed with our former Head Coach Julen Lopetegui and Technical Director Tim Steidten – before they both outstayed their respective welcomes. It’s not an insignificant amount of money, even in these times of inflated prices, to spend on one player. Especially someone who has had his issues and challenges since arriving at the London Stadium.
So to be saddled with a heft slice of his budget from the get-go isn’t possibly the ideal scenario for Potter, who knows full well what he does and who he brings in during what bizarrely will be two transfer window dates (June 1st to June 10th then June 16th to 1st September) will be vital for not only his future but for the club’s future after a season to forget for so many reason.
But there could be an interesting sub-plot developing. We’ve been conveniently informed by the same said ‘top source’ (no prizes for guessing who) that West Ham are open to ‘flipping’ the 25-year-old Frenchman when his deal officially becomes permanent.
Italian giants Juventus and Manchester United were in the running for a loan deal for Todibo before it was agreed with West Ham. But both clubs are said to remain interested in the twice-capped Frenchman – this time on a permanent basis – and there could be a profit in it for us if a deal was done. And we all know our Chairman enjoys that word ‘profit’.
Todibo’s arrival originally went down well with some sections of our easily excited fanbase. A sexy foreign name is frequently attractive to them. But it’s fair to say the jury is still out on him, his ability and what he brings to the table. Is he what we need right now? Is he what Graham Potter really wants going forward?
Asked prior to the Brighton game about Todibo’s situation our Head Coach was understandably diplomatic in his response. “I think it was a bit tough for him at the start. He arrived late to pre-season then had injury problems. There was quite a lot of change last summer…but I’ve enjoyed working with JC.”
But does Potter want to continue working with him? Is there likely to be pressure from those in high places to now cash in on Todibo and move him on? Not long ago there were whispers filtering out that the club were becoming ‘increasingly uneasy with the player’s requests to be substituted’.
We were told apparently medical staff at the training ground were baffled by that, believing he should have reached peak fitness by now. There have also been suggestions following his much publicised dressing room bust up with previous head coach Lopetegui Jean-Clair wasn’t the easiest person to handle.
We did of course, a few seasons ago, sign another defender following an agreed loan spell – a certain Craig Dawson. David Moyes was heavily criticised at the time for bringing in a 32-year-old who was seen as something of a journeyman, having previously served a number of different, less glamourous clubs.
We paid Watford around £2.5 million for Dawson and what an absolute bargain he turned out to be. ‘Ballon d’Awson’ as he was affectionately nicknamed became a cult hero. His tenacious defending and vital goal-scoring meant he wrote his name in West Ham folklaw.
Todibo is costing us 15 times what Dawson cost. Would we be getting value for our money – or should Potter be looking elsewhere – putting the profit we make to better use?
We are said to be interested in Burnley’s 25-year-old defender CJ Egan-Riley. A product of the Manchester City youth scheme who has had a superb season at the heart of a water-tight Burnley defence – a defence Scott Parker crafted as the backbone to the Claret’s promotion winning side. Plus Egan-Riley is a free agent in the summer – and the word ‘free’ is one Sullivan likes just as much as ‘profit’. Potter’s strength is said to be in working with and moulding younger players – so the Burnley man fits the bill.
We’ve also been linked with Brighton’s Adam Webster, who Potter previously worked with on the south coast. Webster is now 30 – not old by any means for a central defender – and has just over a year remaining on his contract which would make any possible transfer fee well within our reach. He has bags of Premier League experience, and like Dawson is a no nonsense defender in the old fashioned style. Both are worthy options surely.
From what we’ve seen of Todibo this season does he represent value for money? Is he the type of defender we need? His fitness is clearly an issue, but is his style to be trusted in the Premier League? Not for me I have to say. He takes too many risks for my liking. Confidence in your ability is one thing but taking un-necessary risks in dangerous areas is another.
Todibo likes a trick or two with the ball at his feet and that’s not always what’s best for the team. Tricks are great – but need to be further up the pitch for me. His reading of the game isn’t the best either. Max Kilman has been the central figure at the back this season with Mavropanos and Todibo vying to be his partner in a back four. But let’s be honest, when Mavropanos is the option is that really very much of a challenge?
If the ‘informed’ rumours are right and we’d be open to flipping Jean-Clair Todibo, making a profit into the bargain, then putting that money to better use elsewhere, adding more pace and dynamism to midfield maybe, wouldn’t that be the sensible thing to do?
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