There’s now a clear explanation for Jean-Clair Todibo’s absence from West Ham’s squad, following claims of dressing room issues after Graham Potter’s departure.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s first match in charge put the spotlight firmly on his selection decisions and tactical approach, as he took over from the recently dismissed Graham Potter.
Fans were quick to point out that Nuno seemed to offer more insight and energy in his opening comments than Potter had managed over several months.
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And that presence was felt on the touchline as well, with Nuno showing far more engagement than his predecessor ever did.
For a fanbase long frustrated by lifeless displays, even small signs of change are starting to matter.
Why Todibo was left out of the West Ham squad
West Ham’s hard-earned draw at Everton has given Nuno Espirito Santo something to build on, and fans a bit of hope heading into his tenure.
The new manager has made it clear he wants to start with a solid defensive foundation, something the club has struggled with under previous regimes.
If he can get the best out of Konstantinos Mavropanos, Max Kilman, and Jean-Clair Todibo, there’s potential for real improvement at the back.
Mavropanos was once again involved in a conceded goal, failing to mark Michael Keane properly as Everton took the lead. But despite that moment, the overall defensive performance showed signs of progress.
Afterwards, it was noticeable that Nuno didn’t shy away from addressing the mistake directly, calling it out as “unacceptably bad.”
Even so, compared to what supporters have seen in recent weeks, there were clear signs of improvement across the back line in Nuno’s first match.
The big talking point before kick-off wasn’t Todibo or Mavropanos though – it was James Ward-Prowse being left out completely. Nuno didn’t just drop him from the starting XI; he removed him from the matchday squad altogether.
Unlike Potter, who often avoided direct answers about selection choices, Nuno addressed questions about Ward-Prowse head-on. He didn’t hesitate to explain his reasons clearly and without any sugar-coating.
Todibo in new bad apple leak after Potter’s West Ham sacking
Ward-Prowse being left out of the squad altogether did seem harsh to some from the outside looking in.
But considering his rocky loan spell under Nuno at Forest last season, there’s probably more going on behind the scenes than we know.
The Ward-Prowse decision grabbed most of the headlines before kick-off, but it overshadowed another notable absence – £32m defender Jean-Clair Todibo was also missing.
Todibo hasn’t had a smooth start to life at West Ham since arriving from Nice. Early on, he looked off the pace and out of shape.
He rarely managed a full 90 minutes all season, struggling to make any real impact for his new club.
Things hit a low point after a heavy home loss to Arsenal when Todibo reportedly got into a physical altercation with then-manager Julen Lopetegui. Although Lopetegui later downplayed it, Todibo was sent to train with the Under-21s and dropped from the squad soon after.
Lopetegui didn’t last much longer after that incident, and Graham Potter gave Todibo a chance to start fresh when he took over.
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