“This is only the beginning of me” was West Ham United defender Jean-Clair Todibo’s message for Hammers fans as he reflects on his early experiences in claret and blue so far ahead of a trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. 

The former Barcelona defender had to be patient for his opportunity from the start, Konstantinos Mavropanos started the first five Premier League matches of the season before Todibo was finally trusted to start in the 1-1 draw with Brentford. The Frenchman impressed alongside Kilman at the Gtech Community Stadium and impressed again in the 4-1 home win over Ipswich a week later.

A disappointing 4-1 defeat to Tottenham followed, where Todibo and almost all of his West Ham teammates had a bad game. But the Frenchman and the rest of the Hammers squad redeemed themselves in the win over Manchester United. After a shaky first half, Todibo replaced Mavropanos at the back which helped to transform the game in West Ham’s favour completely.

Ahead of the Hammers’ clash with Nottingham Forest, Todibo reflected:: “I think it was an important win [against Manchester United] because we showed a lot of character in this game. It was tough after the defeat against Tottenham, but it was the right response, and everyone reacted in the right way to get us the win we wanted. Every game is three points. It doesn’t matter if you win against Manchester City or Nottingham Forest, so I don’t think there are specific games that give you more confidence because, for me, it’s about getting three points.”

The Frenchman arrived at the club on little to no pre-season training, so he had to work hard to get into Julen Lopetegui’s starting lineup. Todibo said: “I’m happy with my own start to the season, and I am looking for even better, to feel physically better,” he added. “At the beginning of the season, that was my mindset – to get as fit as quickly as possible and try to be at 100 per cent. I know when I’m at that 100 per cent level I’ll be able to help the team in the ways that I want to.

“I’ve been working very hard to get myself up to speed, and if I’m honest, I’m not even 80 per cent as of yet. I am continuing to work hard on my programme and have been since I arrived here because I didn’t have any pre-season, and it’s hard for football players who miss pre-season. Pre-season is the most important part of a season for a football player because it allows you to be ready to perform throughout the season, so I’m trying to progress all the time.

“I’m a player who is very objective and understands when I can and can’t do something. At the beginning with my physical condition, it was impossible for me to help the team, so it was understandable for me to be on the bench, and it takes time for me to get fit. Even today, I’m not as fit as I want to be, so I believe the best of Jean-Clair Todibo is still to come.”

These are very promising for West Ham fans to hear, the early signs of the Todibo and Kilman partnership have been very promising with both players complimenting each other very well. Fans of the Hammers will be hoping both players can stay fit and help their team get out of this poor run of form they have started the season with.