Former West Ham United midfielder Martin Allen says he was not convinced by Jean-Clair Todibo’s performance in the 5-1 Carabao Cup third-round defeat to Liverpool.
The Frenchman was given the full 90 minutes of play by Julen Lopetegui, partnering Max Kilman on Wednesday night in only his second start of the season.
Braces from Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo saw Liverpool cruise into the fourth round, despite West Ham initially taking the lead after Jarrell Quansah’s first-half own goal.
Gakpo’s second, in injury time, deflected off Todibo before creeping into the bottom corner, capping off a forgettable night for the French centre-back.
Speaking after the match, Lopetegui admitted his side ‘didn’t deserve the score’ and questioned referee Andrew Madley’s performance, saying ‘the key decisions were against us’.
West Ham had two penalty appeals turned down in the second half, before Edson Alvarez was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 75th minute.
Todibo, who played the full 90 minutes on Wednesday night, made only his second start of the season, his previous appearance coming in the Carabao Cup second-round 1-0 win over Bournemouth....Read Full Article [Click Here>]
The French centre-back, who joined the Hammers on loan with an option to buy of £35m, has so far amassed just seven minutes in the Premier League, with Lopetegui preferring the partnership of Konstantinos Mavropanos and Max Kilman.
Allen, who took to X after the match, expressed disappointment with Todibo’s performance against Liverpool, suggesting the former Nice defender had not impressed him in the 5-1 loss.
sources previously reported that Lopetegui remains unconvinced about introducing Todibo into the Premier League starting line-up after his underwhelming showing against Bournemouth in the second round.
The Frenchman was substituted at half-time and is still reportedly waiting to discover where he stands in Lopetegui’s pecking order.
Todibo was courted by several top European clubs this summer, including Manchester United and Juventus, before West Ham secured the 24-year-old’s signature on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy in late August.
He missed just 10 league games in his previous three seasons at Nice.
