Graham Potter may be kicking himself after bowing to fan and media pressure over Jean-Clair Todibo in West Ham’s draw at Everton.
Jean-Clair Todibo has been a big topic of conversation at West Ham this season.
Todibo was one of the West Ham’s star summer captures.
Out of nowhere the Hammers beat Juventus to his capture and fans were excited about a new era of Todibo and Max Kilman at the back.
Things haven’t quite worked out that way, though.
The 25-year-old blew hot and cold under Julen Lopetegui, who drip-fed him into the Premier League claiming he needed to work on his physicality and fitness.
Lopetegui has since admitted he punished Todibo over a much-publicised bust-up between the pair.
Todibo’s game time has also been limited by persistent injuries.
Many fans felt Todibo’s game and Graham Potter’s style of play would complement each other well.
That certainly looked a good shout when the former Barca defender made his first start under Potter in the 1-0 win at Arsenal.
The Hammers have been much better defensively of late with him starting regularly.
Potter has annoyed fans with his use of the Todibo recently.
The West Ham boss keeps bringing the £32m man off on around 65 minutes lately.
Potter explained he was taking a cautious approach to his game time after his comeback from an injury sustained in Lopetegui’s final game.
Hammers fans have justifiably pointed out Todibo will struggle to get up to 90 minutes if he doesn’t actually even play a full game.
The Todibo situation was put to Potter ahead of the trip to Everton.
And the Englishman said Todibo’s recent injury and the fact he has been fasting for Ramadan had made him cautious about risking playing him for a full game.
It was somewhat strange then that Potter still subbed Todibo off in the 92nd minute, with just a few moments of a tense finish to the match remaining.
The problem is there may be a more sinister reason to his withdrawal this time.
A commentator dropped a deeply worrying claim about West Ham star Todibo.
Todibo seen limping off again for West Ham
As Todibo left the field at Goodison Park, commentator Ian Crocker made a very concerning observation.
“It looks like Todibo may have a problem here, he’s limping as he’s coming off,” Crocker said.
Potter and West Ham will be keeping everything crossed it was just tightness for the Frenchman after going past 90 minutes for the first time in three months.
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan caused some controversy recently when he said the fact the club must pay £32m for Todibo in the summer has “hurt us badly”.
The Hammers’ board were more convivial about Todibo when discussing his recent performances, though, saying he had ‘finally started to show how good he is’.
A penny for their thoughts now if Todibo is set to be ruled out yet again.
Hammers must hope Todibo issue is just tightness
Todibo has been ruled out of action with what’s been classified as ‘groin/hip/pelvic injury’ on three separate occasions this season.
West Ham’s obligation to buy the Frenchman from Nice kicked in after five Premier League starts – as long as the club was not relegated.
Although it has been a woeful season with only nine wins, the Hammers are in no danger of being demoted.
One of Potter’s big priorities this summer is to sign another centre-back to play alongside Todibo and Kilman in a three.
Fans have little faith in Konstantinos Mavropanos.
But with Todibo’s injury and fitness issues, West Ham may need to look at signing two centre-backs.
Or at least one and then bring back Nayef Aguerd as back-up.
