First Team Squad
Player profile and performance records.
Max Kilman (Defender)
Max Kilman
Chelsea, EnglandPosition: Defender
Born: 23rd May 1997 (Chelsea, England)
Signed: 6th Jul 2024 (£40,000,000)
Contract: 7 years (signed July 2024)
Previous Club: Wolves
KUMB Awards: None.
A former England futsal international, Kilman is one or a decreasing band of pros whose pathway to professional stardom came via the lower leagues.
Having began his career with Alan Devonshire at Maidenhead, Kilman secured a life-changing move to Wolves for an undisclosed fee in 2018.
And since then he has gone on to make nearly 130 appearances for the Molineux-based club, many under new Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui who had made Kilman his number one summer defensive target upon becoming the club's new manager.
Ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season, Kilman changed his squad number from #26 to #3.
vs Arsenal
0-1: Saturday, 9th MayDid not play.
vs Leeds United
2-2: Sunday, 5th April(Played 90 minutes)
Giving him a kind, pity 6/10 says more about where he is than anything else. It was a reasonably controlled performance, but he was possibly lucky not to be punished for his follow-through on Stach as he attempted to block his shot in the box, and forced the midfielder off injured. Should Leeds struggle from here, that may be his best contribution for the club. The lunge for the penalty is another example of the lack of attention in his defending. He actually could have easily won the ball, but went over it to wipe out his man.
vs Manchester City
1-1: Saturday, 14th MarchDid not play.
vs Burton Albion
1-0: Saturday, 14th February(Played 120 minutes)
Fine in defence, but a couple moments where his passing forward should have been much better.
vs Burnley
2-0: Saturday, 7th FebruaryDid not play.
vs Chelsea
2-3: Saturday, 31st January(Played 24 minutes, sub)
(Pablo 66') Very unlucky with the second goal, probably fouled, and stepped out of defence well a few times. But he should be closer to Joao Pedro on the winner.
vs Sunderland
3-1: Saturday, 24th January(Summerville 90+') On for the final few moments to waste time.
vs Sunderland
3-1: Saturday, 24th January(Summerville 90+') On for the final few moments to waste time.
vs Tottenham Hotspur
2-1: Saturday, 17th January(Played 0 minutes, sub)
(Fernandes '90+6) A time-wasting substitute for the final few moments.
vs Nottingham Forest
1-2: Tuesday, 6th JanuaryDid not play.
vs Nottingham Forest
1-2: Tuesday, 6th JanuaryDid not play.
vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
0-3: Saturday, 3rd January(Played 90 minutes)
Terrible. Bullied by Arokadare at times, plus, a weak clearance that led to the penalty. Wrongly booed by both sections of the support, that would not have helped, but a truly shocking performance from a more experienced member of the side.
vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
0-3: Saturday, 3rd January(Played 90 minutes)
If we're going for cowardly, Kilman would stand head and shoulders above the rest, except I expect he's crouched behind the sofa instead. His mind is completely at sea, indecision screaming as he hit that cross up into the air with his thigh. Lost headers he could have won because he can't command. Every game he plays is a risk.
vs Brighton & Hove Albion
2-2: Tuesday, 30th December(Played 90 minutes)
Safe to say, it hasn?EUR(TM)t worked out. Responsible for one, possibly both, of Brighton?EUR(TM)s goals. Also, the defenders and goalkeepers around him seem to perform worse when he is playing. That was apparent again yesterday.
vs Brighton & Hove Albion
2-2: Tuesday, 30th December(Played 90 minutes)
Whilst it is understandable that he might have felt he needed to do something desperately as Minteh stormed across the box, a lack of composure ultimately ended up in a penalty Brighton scored. It was a bad challenge, never close to winning it, and exposed a lack of skill and a panicked mind.
vs Fulham
0-1: Saturday, 27th December(Played 90 minutes)
Better than his performances early on in the season but nothing special from the ??40 million pound man.
vs Manchester City
0-3: Saturday, 20th December(Played 90 minutes)
Weak, ineffective and half-hearted. It's often like watching Matty Upson in the latter stages of his West Ham career.
vs Brighton & Hove Albion
1-1: Saturday, 6th December(Played 90 minutes)
A little sloppy on a couple occasions, but otherwise solid and did a very good job on Welbeck.
vs Manchester United
1-1: Wednesday, 3rd December(Played 3 minutes, sub)
(Wilson 87') On to shore up the defence for the final, few moments.
vs Liverpool
0-2: Saturday, 29th NovemberDid not play.
vs AFC Bournemouth
2-2: Saturday, 22nd November(Played 90 minutes)
Not a bad performance, and the penalty was him throwing himself across to cover the mistakes of others, but he was turned too easily a couple of times in the box.
vs Burnley
3-2: Saturday, 8th November(Played 90 minutes)
Too lax on the first goal, needed to be finding his striker after the nod down and making him his, and his passive defending has been his issue this year. Recovered, but should have done better. Nice to see him carrying the ball forward again.
vs Newcastle United
3-1: Saturday, 1st November(Played 90 minutes)
He was turned once far too easily by Joelinton, but was otherwise much improved and showed himself to have a physical presence, the presence he should have at his size.
vs Leeds United
1-2: Saturday, 25th October(Played 90 minutes)
The lesser of two evils at centre back, but by no means absolved. He makes at least one good contribution a game, but is meek, weak, and easily beaten in the air.
vs Brentford
0-2: Saturday, 18th October(Played 90 minutes)
One brave header saved a goal, but was then ruined by how hapless he looked dealing with Thiago. That first goal should not have happened, he was there to stop the ball through and missed it.
vs Arsenal
0-2: Saturday, 4th October(Played 90 minutes)
Did well against Gyokeres, recovering well when left behind for that early second half chance, and started to showcase that ability to move forward with the ball. It might be that a manager he trusts, who trusts him, is the confidence boost needed to bring his game back to where it should be.
vs Everton
1-1: Monday, 29th September(Played 90 minutes)
Looked more assured, and with our centre back options as they are, just Nuno being able to get Kilman more confident could make a huge difference. Won't be against Beto every week, though.
vs Crystal Palace
1-2: Saturday, 20th September(Played 90 minutes)
Guehi bullied him and managed to win a header that should have been Kilman's. He was never a superstar, but Kilman has got worse as a defender at West Ham. Todibo may feel he is taking the blame for problems that haven't disappeared since he was dropped.
vs Tottenham Hotspur
0-3: Saturday, 13th September(Played 90 minutes)
The defence was better on corners, but still looked panicked, and then a clear sign of a lack of leadership back there was exposed on the opening goal.
vs Nottingham Forest
3-0: Sunday, 31st August(Played 90 minutes)
Passed well and defended well, bar one moment where Wood reads the ball quicker than he does. A good boost of confidence in playing a back four, which could be what he plays in more for the next few weeks.
vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
2-3: Tuesday, 26th August(Played 20 minutes, sub)
(Aguerd 70') Not sure it was necessarily his fault, but it does not look good for the centre back to come on and then concede twice as the defence suddenly fell to pieces.
vs Chelsea
1-5: Friday, 22nd August(Played 90 minutes)
Marshalling a very poor defence, he's the least of the problems in that back three, but still a problem. Needs someone to come in and take charge, yet it's left to him as the other two are so weak.
vs Sunderland
0-3: Saturday, 16th August(Played 90 minutes)
Somebody needs to command at the back, and it's a shame that Aguerd coming back in is not the defender to take that responsibility off Kilman. He could have stayed with Mayenda for the first goal, but Aguerd should have done much better. His own individual work wasn't bad.
vs AFC Bournemouth
2-0: Sunday, 3rd August(Played 90 minutes)
Will not look back at this first season at the club with much fondness, but he has shown enough to suggest there is more to come. He has become a bit of a target due to his price tag, but he's had a solid, if unspectacular season and looks far from the problem of this team's defensive work. The block at the end of today's game to keep it 3-1 was fantastic.
vs Everton
2-1: Wednesday, 30th July(Played 90 minutes)
Will not look back at this first season at the club with much fondness, but he has shown enough to suggest there is more to come. He has become a bit of a target due to his price tag, but he's had a solid, if unspectacular season and looks far from the problem of this team's defensive work. The block at the end of today's game to keep it 3-1 was fantastic.
vs Manchester United
1-2: Saturday, 26th July(Played 90 minutes)
Will not look back at this first season at the club with much fondness, but he has shown enough to suggest there is more to come. He has become a bit of a target due to his price tag, but he's had a solid, if unspectacular season and looks far from the problem of this team's defensive work. The block at the end of today's game to keep it 3-1 was fantastic.
vs Ipswich Town
3-1: Sunday, 25th May(Played 90 minutes)
Will not look back at this first season at the club with much fondness, but he has shown enough to suggest there is more to come. He has become a bit of a target due to his price tag, but he's had a solid, if unspectacular season and looks far from the problem of this team's defensive work. The block at the end of today's game to keep it 3-1 was fantastic.
vs Nottingham Forest
1-2: Sunday, 18th May(Played 90 minutes)
The end of a very difficult first season for Kilman, who has struggled to live with that ??40m+ price tag.
vs Manchester United
2-0: Sunday, 11th May(Played 90 minutes)
Contained Hojlund in open play, used the ball well and showed desire to step forward.
vs Tottenham Hotspur
1-1: Saturday, 3rd May(Played 90 minutes)
After his error for the first goal, he did a fantastic job on Richarlison and marked him out of the game.
vs Brighton & Hove Albion
2-3: Saturday, 26th April(Played 90 minutes)
Some good forward work, including a lovely cross for Soucek, and looks better in the left-sided role in a three.
vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
0-1: Tuesday, 1st April(Played 90 minutes)
Does not dominate the middle of the defence in that role, and whilst he's better on the ball than Mavropanos, he probably is going to need to be better at picking a forward pass.
vs Newcastle United
0-1: Saturday, 8th March(Played 90 minutes)
In a better world, Kilman is either allowed to head clear or gets given the clear foul against him.
vs Leicester City
2-0: Tuesday, 25th February(Played 90 minutes)
Did win some very key headers in the rare moments he was tested, and used the ball well.
vs Brentford
0-1: Saturday, 15th February(Played 90 minutes)
Too meek again today, and far too many loose passes forward, long balls that were hard to control or far short of the player he aimed for.
vs Chelsea
1-2: Monday, 3rd February(Played 90 minutes)
Kilman had been written off by a good few this season as a meek, mild-mannered defender in need of a real organiser with him. The last two games, with full backs either side of him in the centre of defence, he has proven himself capable of leading. Maybe disorganisation from above was a bigger issue?
vs Aston Villa
1-1: Saturday, 25th January(Played 90 minutes)
Having struggled badly for 2-3 months, this was a great performance from the centre back. His early interventions were impressive, his passing was crisp and progressive, and he looked back to the settled defender who started the season well.
vs Fulham
3-2: Tuesday, 14th January(Played 90 minutes)
Still less than commanding in the penalty area. The problem is West Ham appear to have two centre halfs - or three, if you count the absent Todibo - that would look better alongside a senior partner.
vs Southampton
1-0: Thursday, 26th December(Played 19 minutes)
Sustained what appeared to be a collar bone/shoulder injury which he was unable to shake off. A major doubt for this weekend's visit of Liverpool as a result.
vs AFC Bournemouth
1-1: Saturday, 14th December(Played 90 minutes)
The defence looked better for most of the game than it has since Newcastle, and Kilman made some key blocks in front of goal to save goals.
vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
2-1: Saturday, 7th December(Played 90 minutes)
Solid and composed, seemed comfortable in his knowledge of how to stop his former teammates.
vs Leicester City
1-3: Tuesday, 3rd December(Played 90 minutes)
Not much better, the good form from the early season now all gone as Kilman is brought down to the level of this football club, unable to escape the carnage.
vs Arsenal
2-5: Saturday, 30th November(Played 90 minutes)
Individual mistakes, a shambolic back line he should be leading, five goals conceded. Not his finest hour.
vs Newcastle United
2-0: Saturday, 23rd November(Played 90 minutes)
Calm and solid, Isak had brief moments but was marshalled better than many have this season.
vs Everton
0-0: Saturday, 9th November(Played 90 minutes)
Much the same, with Kilman particularly impressive in the air.
vs Manchester United
2-1: Saturday, 26th October(Played 90 minutes)
A rock, but he is going to need to do better at seeing runs into the box and reacting, especially on crosses.
vs Tottenham Hotspur
1-4: Saturday, 19th October(Played 90 minutes)
As above. He had his moments, strong in the air, but let down by a team that had no shape.
vs Ipswich Town
4-1: Saturday, 5th October(Played 90 minutes)
Delap tried to test Todibo, and it failed. Kilman had an easier, more controlled game.
vs Brentford
1-1: Saturday, 28th September(Played 90 minutes)
What a good defender he is. It will be a shock if Kilman doesn't end up Hammer of the Year, that's how much better his start of the season has been over others.
vs Liverpool
1-5: Wednesday, 25th September(Played 90 minutes)
vs Chelsea
0-3: Saturday, 21st September(Played 90 minutes)
Whilst lacking the blame others deserve from the goals, where was the commanding centre back? Where is the player seeing what's happening and plugging gaps? Alvarez gets turned and nobody reacts. It's rudderless.
vs Fulham
1-1: Saturday, 14th September(Played 90 minutes)
Relatively fine performance, the defence actually protecting Areola reasonably well outside of Mavropanos.
vs Manchester City
1-3: Saturday, 31st August(Played 90 minutes)
May look at Haaland's second a lot more critically than this report has. Could he have been out to him to stop the shot? It looked more like a case of the quality being so high you just have to accept it.
vs AFC Bournemouth
1-0: Wednesday, 28th August(Played 90 minutes)
Another good performance. Looks like a leader, and looks a player who has been overlooked for England honours too long. Has all the defensive tools and looks composed on the ball.
vs Crystal Palace
2-0: Saturday, 24th August(Played 90 minutes)
Just every bit the defender West Ham needed. With all the goals conceded last season - we may have all tried to forget the 5-2 defeat here in April - it was suddenly a summer about solid defenders and ripping up what we had back there. And whilst that was right, the need for a centre back who could pass out from the back, and drive out with the ball, was still there from Moyes's time at the club. Even his best side was missing that, and whilst Aguerd didn't quite kick on and become that, Kilman looks a safe bet to be that guy. He was magnificent in his basics as a defender and his forward play.
vs Aston Villa
1-2: Saturday, 17th August(Played 90 minutes)
As the game went on, he seemed to grab the authority that someone at the back needed to have and performed.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.
Max Kilman did not play for West Ham during this season.