Julen Lopetegui must axe Jean Clair-Todibo after his mistake caused West Ham United to concede their third goal of the game against Tottenham on Saturday.
The away fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium were shocked by Todibo after his poor defensive work caused a scuffed shot from Son Heung-min to trickle into the back of the net after bouncing off the feet of the Frenchman and Alphonse Areola.
It was Todibo’s mistake but unfortunately for his fellow countryman, Areola, he had the last touch on the ball and was awarded with the own goal.
Todibo was brought in over the summer for around £34million [Florian Plettenberg, 9 August] and there’s no denying that the Frenchman has been a strong addition to Julen Lopetegui’s squad this term.
However, due to the form Konstantinos Mavropanos currently finds himself in, it feels as if the Spaniard has no choice but to axe the Frenchman from his starting XI against Manchester United.
Jean Clair-Todibo should be axed by West Ham United
Todibo and Max Kilman are likely the duo that West Ham fans want commanding their defensive line.
Aside from their 4-1 win over Ipswich before the international break, however, the centre-backs haven’t yet managed to work alongside one another very cohesively.
Defensive reinforcement was no doubt needed after their poor performances last term which saw them end the season with the fourth-worst defensive record in the league but, at the moment, Mavropanos might be the better option over Todibo.
The Greek international had a stellar time with his country over the international break with national media describing his performance against Ireland on 13 October as “magical”.
Mavropanos was part of the Hammers’ poor defence last term but over the last couple of weeks, it has felt like he’s turned things around, or is at least trying to.
The reintegration of the 26-year-old would only be a small change but it could be one that makes all the difference.
These are all ifs, buts and maybes of course but after their 4-1 defeat to Spurs, there’s no denying that things need to change at the London Stadium soon otherwise things could go from bad to worse for Lopetegui.
