West Ham United signing Max Kilman could trigger Julen Lopetegui tactical change
Dan Bardell has suggested that West Ham might be looking to play with three centre-backs next season after they completed the signing of Julen Lopetegui favourite Max Kilman.
It was confirmed by the Hammers on Saturday (6 July) that the club have completed the signing of the 27-year-old centre-back, who played under Lopetegui at Wolves, on a seven-year contract.
Fabrizio Romano reported (5 July) that the move could be worth a reported £40million, with Lopetegui getting his wish of a reunion.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell believes Kilman will be a positive signing for West Ham and could point towards a tactical change.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Bardell said: “It’s obviously a lot of money, £40million, but he’s been an established centre-half for a long time now.
“He’s obviously a player that Lopetegui knows well having worked with him before. I think in the modern market it is actually a pretty fair deal. It’s good money for Wolves but he is going to be hard to replace.
“I think this move could signal that Lopetegui wants to play three at the back. Do West Ham currently have the right profile of player to do that? Probably not so Kilman ticks a lot of boxes.“
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The Hammers are in need of centre-backs this summer having already lost Angelo Ogbonna at the end of his contract.
Add to this the potential departure of Nayef Aguerd, who has been linked with a move away all summer, West Ham could be light at the back next season.
With that being said, this hasn’t stopped Lopetegui looking to get rid of another defensive option in Kurt Zouma, who has been mooted in a swap deal for Jean Claire-Todibo [Graeme Bailey].
The Spaniard was keen to reunite with Kilman this summer having worked with him in his short stint as Wolves boss.
The Englishman will bring plenty of Premier League experience and a knowledge of the new head coach’s demands.
This will certainly help Lopetegui to get his ideas across and provide him with a good base to move up the pitch.
While £40m does represent a large outlay, bringing in a player that the new boss trusts may prove to be positive moving forward into the new campaign.
In other West Ham news, a pundit has been left stunned by a “ridiculous” Hammers transfer development.
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