The ominous sight of £40 million man Max Kilman leaving the field in obvious discomfort against Southampton highlighted just how thin West Ham’s are across the back line. Despite Lopetegui’s stated aim of having two players for each position, West Ham fielded their only two fit centre backs for the last 60 minutes. There are no reserves now.
Emergency cover is available from u21 Kaelan Casey or at a pinch from Edson Alvarez, but with two suspensions in the middle of the pitch Alvarez will be needed in midfield against Liverpool. The cupboard is bare now so Todibo and Mavropanos need wrapping up in cotton wool between games over the coming weeks whilst Kilman is injured.
Urgent recruitment is needed in the absence of loaned-out Nayef Aguerd. Like other loan decisions, these seemingly rash choices to dispatch players in August may now come back to haunt Lopetegui – how he wishes he had Aguerd to call on now. No surprise that West Ham are again linked with centre back signings in the forthcoming January window.
Former Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori, it is claimed: “Could leave Milan in January with Juventus, Napoli and at least three Premier League clubs interested, including West Ham.” ( according to footballitalianet) . 27 year old centre-back Tomori is seen as a well-priced addition at West Ham-level transfer fees of about £20 million.
The injury to Kilman will certainly focus the Hammers’ minds on their priorities in the January window. Quite how the needs for strengthening the midfield and a striker will all come out of the same modest budget is unclear: Departures are needed but nowhere is there sufficient value from fringe players to provide the £75 million for three January additions.
