West Ham have a superstar on their hands but the shadow of Manchester United looms large over the euphoria surrounding him.
It says a lot about the progress West Ham have made in recent years and Man United’s decline that more Hammers players would probably get in a combined XI right now.
What Manchester United would give for stars like Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus.
The Red Devils even reportedly enquired about signing West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez – who like Kudus played under Erik ten Hag at Ajax – in the summer.
Now it’s clear the Hammers have another top star on their hands.
But keeping him out of Man United’s hands in the future may be difficult.
West Ham technical director was hailed for a transfer masterclass overt he summer.
And the jewel in the crown was beating Juventus to the signing of Jean-Clair Todibo.
Hammers fans were understandably giddy at the capture.
It was a transfer saga which lasted nearly two months and looked dead in the water for the Hammers at one stage.
But Steidten took flight to Nice for one-on-one talks with Todibo and he agreed to join on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy once he starts just five Premier League games.
Ironically, should he stay fit, Todibo will be one game off triggering that permanent move if he starts against Spurs and then Manchester United after the international break.
And it is the Old Trafford club who are very much the elephant in the room when it comes to Todibo.
Man United will be just as excited as the West Ham after star announces his arrival.
Man United will be just as excited as West Ham by star’s “arrival”
In West Ham’s 4-1 win over Ipswich everybody got to see what all the fuss has been about when it comes to the 24-year-old Frenchman.
Many Hammers fans have been bemused by Julen Lopetegui’s decision to drip-feed Todibo into the Premier League.
While other managers throw their new signings straight into the mix so they can get adapt to the pace and physicality of the English game, Lopetegui has opted to bring the former Barcelona man along slowly.
If Todibo’s performance at the weekend is the reward for that patience then it was certainly worth the wait.
Todibo is a black belt in Judo and his strength and power shone through at the London Stadium as he and Max Kilman laid the foundation for a much-needed convincing West Ham win.
Todibo’s reading of the game, strength, composure in possession and passing was top drawer.
He made some wonderfully timed interceptions that had shades of Rio Ferdinand when he was establishing himself as one of the top young defenders in Europe.
The centre-back’s performance went beyond stats. It was a display which made a statement that Todibo will be among the Premier League’s elite defenders. He oozed class and has all the attributes needed.
Better still he looks like a natural leader too.
There was no lack of irony that on the same weekend Man United were left relying on soon-to-be 37-year-old Jonny Evans as their best defender.
The fact of the matter is, Todibo would be at Man United right now if it were not for UEFA’s strict multi-club ownership rules.
INEOS’ involvement at Nice and Manchester United meant Sir Jim Ratcliffe – by his own admission – was blocked from signing Todibo in the summer.
My how they could do with him.
Red Devils are elephant in the room over new hero Todibo
That opened the door for West Ham who smartly sensed an opportunity and pounced.
But the consequence of that is Hammers fans may have to accept Todibo’s stay in east London could be short-lived.
It has been suggested that Todibo is essentially being “parked” at West Ham so that Man United can then sign him from them at a later date.
It’s a theory that’s not without credibility. After all why would INEOS sanction the move to West Ham for a player they clearly wanted at Man United?
There may not be anything officially written into the deal for obvious reasons given the rules in place.
But it would not be beyond the realms of possibility that a gentleman’s agreement might be in place that Manchester United can sign Todibo from West Ham for a set price at a future date, if he proves a success in the Premier League.
Deals of that nature have been commonplace in Spain and Italy for decades.
West Ham may well be happy with such an arrangement of course if it means they get a quality player in for a couple of years with a guaranteed profit at the end of it.
That’s why Man United would have been just as enthused as West Ham at Todibo announcing his “arrival” in the Premier League in style at the weekend.
Whatever happens long-term this has been a very shrewd bit of business and a real coup for the Hammers.
But with Man United potentially the puppet masters behind the scenes, the Irons may have to just enjoy him while they can.
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