When Jean-Clair Todibo arrived on loan from Nice, I’ll admit that it felt like we might have pulled off a bit of a coup, and I know I wasn’t the only one. A classy, cultured centre-back with Barcelona on his CV? Yes please. And this wasn’t some last-minute bargain bin “Sully Special” punt — there was pedigree here.
The clips on YouTube showed a confident ball-playing defender, and I started imagining the kind of composed presence we’ve sorely lacked when the ball’s at our feet and Kurt Zouma’s knees are held together by a prayer and a packet of ice. But as the season draws to a close – thank goodness – and with that ‘obligation to buy’ clause now triggered by our survival, I find myself stuck in the same loop we all know well: Do I trust what I’m seeing, or am I just projecting hope onto yet another player who might not be it?
Technical Grace Under Graham Potter
Let’s start with the good: Todibo is clearly a naturally gifted player. His technique is obvious, and under Graham Potter – who’s shortly to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest pre-season ever – he’s looked a bit more assured. You can see what he’s trying to be — the cool-headed, progressive defender who can carry the ball and pick a pass. He’s not erratic, he’s not error-prone, and he doesn’t look terrified when someone runs at him. That alone puts him ahead of a few names we’ve had at centre-half over the last decade.
The Sticking Point: Pace and Presence
But — and this is the sticking point — something’s not quite convincing. For a start, he’s not quick – either through choice or design. Sometimes, I get the sense he’s a bit casual. In the Premier League, where pace and aggression go hand in hand, that’s a worry. To my eye, he also doesn’t look dominant in the air, which is a bit like hiring a plumber who’s not great with pipes.
The Elephant in the Physio Room
And then there’s the elephant in the physio room: his fitness. The 3-2 defeat to Brighton marked his 23rd appearance for us this season — and only the ninth time he’s actually completed 90 minutes. That’s not great reading, even in a side that’s been rotating more than a dodgy east London kebab. It’s hard to form a solid opinion on a player when he’s only ever around in flashes.
To be fair, he has been getting more minutes lately. Maybe, just maybe, we’re starting to see a bit of rhythm. And to be really fair, there’s every chance he looks better with a consistent midfield ahead of him — one that doesn’t treat possession like a hot potato. That’s not me saying ‘keep the ball away from him’, but I do think he’d benefit from a bit more protection, a bit less chaos. Imagine him with a prime Declan Rice in front of him. Suddenly looks a lot better, doesn’t he?
Solid, Stylish, but Inoffensive
I also can’t point to any big howlers. He’s not made the kind of bone-headed errors that get clipped up on Twitter with sad violin music. But equally, I can’t think of a single game where I’ve turned to my mates and gone, ‘Yes — that’s the future of our back line’. He’s just… there. Solid. Occasionally stylish. Mostly inoffensive. Like a Marks & Spencer’s ready meal of a defender.
To Sell or to Settle?
There’s a whisper that he could be ‘flipped’ this summer — that we might cash in on him now that we’re obliged to buy. Stranger things have happened – we paid actual money for Jordan Hugill, remember. And with finances tight and summer rebuilds looming, I wouldn’t be stunned if someone comes in and we take the profit – we hope – and run. Maybe that would be for the best.
Alternative scenario, maybe, with a proper pre-season and a bit more stability, he could become a real asset. Graham Potter seems to rate him, and he’s shown signs of trusting him more lately. But as of now, I still feel like I’m watching a player who hasn’t quite landed. He’s hovering — somewhere between the potential we were sold and the output we’ve actually seen.
A Typical West Ham Dilemma
So do we judge him harshly because of his lack of appearances? Or do we give him another year, proper fitness, and a better midfield, and see what happens? It’s a typical West Ham dilemma. We’ve signed a decent, if imperfect player, but we don’t know if he fits, we don’t know if he’s robust enough, and we don’t know if he’s going to improve or just stay at the same frustrating level. A bit like the team, really. Jean-Clair Todibo might be a Rolls Royce in disguise. But right now, for me, he’s still idling in neutral.
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