Max Kilman faces West Ham United axe after what’s happened during international break
Max Kilman could lose his starting place at West Ham United after teammate Konstantinos Mavropanos impressed on international duty with Greece.
Greek media waxed lyrical over the defender’s performance in the 2-0 win against Ireland on Sunday [13 October], days after he was lauded as a “world beater” for his display in the 2-1 win against England at Wembley.
Kilman has started every Premier League match under Julen Lopetegui since his £40million move from Wolves this summer, but still has work to do to fully justify his hefty price tag in East London.
Fellow summer signing Jean-Clair Todibo has displaced Mavropanos in the starting lineup in recent weeks but, following his resurgence with Greece, it could be the Englishman who is sacrificed to make room for the in-form defender.
Max Kilman needs to justify big-money price tag for West Ham United
Lopetegui has thus far placed his trust in Kilman to lead the backline but after two wins in the opening seven Premier League matches, it could be time to flip the script at the London Stadium.
Kilman’s words could come back to bite him after he raved about teammate Todibo after the monumental 4-1 win against Ipswich Town before the international break.
The 27-year-old should perhaps focus on his own displays. He and Emerson Palmieri are the only two defenders to start every Premier League match for the Irons and are vulnerable to rotation with Lopetegui needing to put more points on the board fast.
Mavropanos was subject to harsh treatment by the boss, with his removal from the starting eleven coming after he was scapegoated for the 3-0 loss to Chelsea.
However, Kilman produced a subjectively worse performance in the 5-1 loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, and yet kept his place in the side.
With crucial games against Tottenham and Manchester United ahead, Lopetegui has to get his selection spot on – not least in the heart of defence.
Lopetegui must pick his side based on form and Mavropanos is the most in-form centre-back at the club right now. It is therefore an easy decision to make.
In other West Ham news, Lucas Paqueta has been ‘requested’ to leave the Irons amid an ‘unusual’ ploy from a Real Madrid star.
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