Now we are facing a crisis. It’s not doom and gloom for West Ham United, but just over two months into the season, there’s a real ominous feeling as the relegation-threatened Hammers struggle to climb out of the relegation zone.
Leeds United deserved to win against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side at Elland Road on Friday night, but a shaky West Ham side lacked the principled, well-rehearsed defensive solidity that characterized Nuno’s teams.
It’s still early days, but there are concerns that the Portuguese tactician was unable to build his team effectively in the opening game of the Premier League at the London Stadium, drawing with Everton on his debut but then losing three on the bounce.
Journalist Jacob Steinberg commented on the issue, criticizing the manager for using an “inexplicable line-up” and even saying that they had “failed both games this week” following Monday’s heavy defeat at home to Brentford.
But equally, the players needed to step up against the newly promoted Whites and were unable to do so.
West Ham’s biggest villain at Leeds
West Ham did not play. Matheus Fernandes scored his first goal for the club in the closing stages when he headed home Jarrod Bowen’s cross, but it wasn’t enough and the Londoners retreated without any spoils, finding themselves with just four points from their previous nine games.
Bowen was as lively as ever and his bicycle kick was saved in the first half as the Hammers lost 1-0, almost denying him a high-profile moment.
But this was a positive degree. Thomas Soucek was particularly poor. The energetic limitations of the 30-year-old, a hard-working player and one of the best players of the glorious David Moyes era, were exposed and, apart from the chance he relied on, he got too high too often and exposed Andy Irving.
Crisencio Somerville also showed deception against his former team, but in fairness he was the victim of tactical confusion, starting on the right and moving to the left after Ollie Scarless was injured in the first half. There was a lot of huffing and puffing as we couldn’t find the final product.
The 23-year-old has looked bright this term after an injury-hit season in 2024/25, but he remains inconsistent and needs to be more sociable in front of goal.
Energetic and original, he adds something different, and while the Dutch-born talent should not be written off, there is little question that he needs to offer more.
However, there is another member of the starting XI who has proven he is not up to the task at hand and Nuno will no doubt consider dropping him soon.
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After the final whistle sounded at Leeds, it was revealed that West Ham had made their worst start to the top flight in 52 years. Nuno is yet to win a match since being replaced by Graham Potter.
So what needs to be done? Well, firstly, United’s disorganized defense needs to be sorted out ASAP. And to achieve this, it may be worth removing Frenchman Jean-Clair Todibo from the starting lineup after another poor performance on Friday.
Todibo, 25, spent last season on loan in East London before completing a permanent £35m move in early 2025. He was coveted by Juventus and was regarded in France as one of the most athletic and exciting ball-playing defenders in the business.
But the Premier League is a different beast and Todibo, lacking clarity and conviction in his performances last year, has now fallen by the wayside, with West Ham FabTV contributor Nick Marsh saying after the match that he and Max Kilman are “arguably the two worst centre-backs in this league”.
One website even considered it worthy of Todibo’s brand with a low match rating of 3/10, which sparked a reaction across social media, with supporters fed up with the limp and unconvincing defensive display.
Todibo’s quality in the air should be questioned and he leaves a lot to be desired when dealing with whiplash deliveries. This is the crux of West Ham’s problem, and Todibo is part of the problem.
Over the course of the season, he has failed to summon the creativity and initiative on the ball that drew him so much praise during his time at OGC Nice in France, and although he has shown strength in the few ground battles he has won, he has not won enough duels.
Jean-Clair Todibo’s season in numbers | |
|---|---|
Match statistics (* per match) | # |
Match (start) | 4 (4) |
touch* | 60.0 |
clean sheet | 0 |
Exact path* | 43.8 (88%) |
Key pass* | 0.0 |
collect* | 3.0 |
Tackle* | 2.0 |
Intercept* | 0.8 |
clearance* | 3.5 |
Win a ground duel* | 2.8 (73%) |
Win an air battle* | 1.5 (38%) |
Data via Sofascore | |
At 6-foot-3, it’s inexcusable that he averages just 38% from the air. Todibo must be dropped. But who will come in?
Former Brighton & Hove Albion defender Igor Julio remains languishing on the sidelines, but there are suggestions the 27-year-old could be fit to make his debut soon after making just one substitute appearance this season after performing well in training.
Meanwhile, Sungoutu Magassa has previously played in central defense and has already shown a certain level of trust from coach Nuno, having started twice in this year’s Premier League.
Either way, change is needed in east London. West Ham boasts a high quality team and cannot afford to fall out of the First Division. If dropping Todibo is a means towards this goal, so be it.
