JJulen Lopetegui and Max Kilman at West Ham. Credit: West Ham YouTube / Imago

Julen Lopetegui buzzing at West Ham United as Max Kilman trick missed after new developments

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

14 Nov 2024, 2:50 am

Max Kilman has been one of the strongest performers for Julen Lopetegui during a tough start to the season for West Ham.

The centre-back has started all 11 of the Hammers' Premier League matches to date, creating partnerships with Konstantinos Mavropanos and Jean-Clair Todibo since arriving in the summer.

Joining on a £40million deal from Wolves during the summer transfer window [BBC Sport], the 27-year-old was expected to hit the ground running at the London Stadium and he has not disappointed.

While Lopetegui's defence has been rocky, seeing them slip to fourteenth in the Premier League table, the blame cannot be solely on Kilman's shoulders, especially as he continues to provide calmness at the back.

Considering his rise to glory since his playing days with Maidenhead United and becoming an established Premier League defender, Lopetegui will be rather glad that England have not decided to call him up.

West Ham United defender Max Kilman misses out on England call-up

The centre-half has never been called up to the England squad, even despite impressing during his time at Molineux before earning a move to the London Stadium last summer.

Lee Carsley's squad has been hit with a plethora of injuries, seeing the likes of Levi Colwill and John Stones miss out on Nations League clashes against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.

With Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite the latest to pull out of the squad, it is not out of the question that Kilman could have earned his first England call-up, but it was not to be for the defender.

West Ham United head coach Julen Lopetegui [Credit: Imago]

Liverpool's Jarell Quansah has been chosen to fill the vacant spot, and with that meaning Kilman will be left at home during the international break, Lopetegui will be breathing a sigh of relief.

Of course, it would have been the next step in a strange career for Kilman so far, but Lopetegui will be more focused on keeping his star players fit for the Premier League campaign.

In other West Ham news, eyebrows will be raised as a Hammers-linked manager is now in the UK.

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Julen Lopetegui

West Ham

Max Kilman