Julen Lopetegui makes significant Todibo call ahead of West Ham clash v Nottingham Forest
Julen Lopetegui is ready to make Jean-Clair Todibo a key member of his squad, with the defender set to start for West Ham against Nottingham Forest, according to GIVEMESPORT.
The online news outlet reported on Tuesday (29 October) that Lopetegui is now convinced the 24-year-old deserves to be one of the first names on the team sheet after being forced into a “significant U-turn”.
Todibo is on loan at the Irons, but the club have an obligation to buy the centre-back if they avoid relegation this season.
The Frenchman came on as a second-half substitute against Manchester United at the weekend and played his part in a 2-1 victory.
Jean Clair-Todibo a game-changer at West Ham
The West Ham faithful have high hopes for the former Barcelona star, but the defender has yet to deliver consistent performances for the team.
It isn’t just Todibo who has been struggling, though, with the entire squad lacking sharpness and quality since Lopetegui’s appointment.
The Spaniard could’ve had a night to forget against Manchester United on 27 October in the Premier League after a torrid first half from the team, but his changes after the break changed the momentum of the fixture.
Todibo was one of the substitutes who came on right after half-time in the 2-1 win over the Red Devils, as summer signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka shone against his former club.
The Hammers have invested heavily in their backline in recent years, with Konstantinos Mavropanos signing in 2023 and Max Kilman being one of the number of defensive additions made in the summer.
Todibo and Kilman sounds good on paper, with both of them having shown their qualities at the highest levels, but it remains to be seen whether the duo can form a solid partnership for the Irons.
In other West Ham news, Gabby Agbonlahor makes an admission about Lopetegui after the Manchester United win.
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