Jean-Clair Todibo was named West Ham United’s player of the match in his first home Premier League start for the club, the Frenchman could soon become the key as Lopetegui looks to turn the Hammers’ fortunes around. 

Todibo signed from French outfit Nice in the summer on an obligation-to-buy deal that will soon become permanent after playing a certain amount of matches in claret and blue, the number is yet to be revealed.

The former Barcelona defender was given his first start in the Premier League against Brentford where he looked solid in a 1-1 draw alongside Max Kilman outside of conceding in the first minute of the match. This continued against Ipswich as they both did well to limit the tractor boys to just two shots on target.

Daniel Storey of GIVEMESPORT said: “Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman are now the first-choice partnership. I was surprised that Julen Lopetegui waited so long to pair them together – there’s nothing as valuable as time on the pitch – but the manner in which they can progress the ball out from the back and step forward should allow West Ham to push 10 yards higher up the pitch.”

This was really highlighted in the Ipswich match, having a more trusted defensive partnership in Kilman and Todibo allowed West Ham to press more, and this was a key part of three of the four Hammers goals on the day.

Mavropanos was a player West Ham fans almost unanimously agreed should be dropped after a run of poor performances. The team tried to play the same way as they do with Todibo with both centre-backs pushing up the pitch at times. However, the Greece International wasn’t nearly as effective as Todibo was in the Ipswich fixture.

Mavropanos often presses up the pitch looking for the ball and very often fails to win the ball which leaves huge gaps in the defence, which makes it a lot easier for the opposition to create chances. This was massively highlighted in the Chelsea match when their forward were consistently exploiting Lopetegui’s side on the counter. Jean-Clair Todibo’s qualities will really help the Hammers be better defensively for the rest of the season.