There have been persistent stories of bust-ups and unrest surrounding Jean-Clair Todibo and others at West Ham.
Jean-Clair Todibo was seen as the jewel in the crown of a brilliant summer window for West Ham.
Hammers technical director Tim Steidten flew out to Nice to convince Todibo to come to the London Stadium amid interest from Juventus.
Getting the former Barca flop on a loan with an obligation to buy, triggered after five Premier League starts, was seen as a coup.
But things have not worked out so far and West Ham have no choice but to pay the £32m due to Nice in the summer.
Todibo has blown more cold than hot. When the 24-year-old has been good, though, he has looked capable of being among the Premier League’s best.
It was revealed that Julen Lopetegui and French defender Todibo had a massive bust-up at half-time of the shambolic 5-2 defeat at home to Arsenal.
Lopetegui confirmed the altercation, which allegedly got physical.
Potter stamps authority as Todibo and West Ham absentees get message
Todibo has barely been seen for West Ham since.
First it was a toe injury, then stomach then a rumoured adductor issue.
He was missing from the squad for the FA Cup game at Villa.
And reports emerged claiming he had been back in France for treatment.
Todibo was reported to be one of a group of players who told West Ham they wanted to leave if Lopetegui wasn’t sacked.
Well they got their wish and Graham Potter is the man in the Hammers hot seat now.
West Ham fans have already been massively impressed with what they have seen from Potter.
Especially given his limited options with the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Niclas Fullkrug, Michail Antonio, Crysencio Summerville and Alphonse Areola joining Todibo in the treatment room.
Now Potter has stamped his authority as Todibo and other West Ham absentees get the message.
Ahead of the win over Fulham, Hammers insider Sean Whetstone claimed Todibo’s current whereabouts was unknown.
Since arriving one week ago, Potter has been banging the drum about togetherness among his squad.
It was clearly something he had been warned needed fixing as he mentioned it before he had even met his players.
West Ham’s lack of togetherness and team spirit has been apparent for some time.
Todibo, Fullkrug, Bowen and Summerville show up after Potter’s call for togetherness
Potter has been making it clear he wants the players to see one another as family who are willing to help and work for each other.
Messages not too dissimilar to those conveyed by David Moyes when he returned to the club in 2020.
Already there has been a clear uptick in attitude, application, desire and workrate.
West Ham fans have responded to that.
And it seems the players are taking Potter’s message of togetherness on board too.
Even those who are not available to play.
As part of Potter’s drive to create a tight-knit group who have one another’s backs, the new Hammers boss has told injured players he wants to see them supporting their teammates at home games.
The response was there for eagle-eyed fans to see against Fulham.
Because Todibo, Fullkrug, Summerville and Bowen were all seen with the team for the game as they sat behind the subs in the dugout throughout.
Fans watching live on TNT Sports would have seen the quartet supporting their teammates.
It is great to see and shows Potter is already making an impact with the players off the pitch as well as on it.
Long may it continue.
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