Why West Ham's latest £34m signing is another high risk that could backfire

It's been a few years now, but do you remember when West Ham signed Thilo Kehrer from PSG, hoping he would be their next big star? He's now on loan at Monaco. I like the look of this Jean-Clair Todibo deal, but there are some aspects that could backfire. This isn’t a piece to say he's not a good player, but unlike most articles that simply celebrate the arrival of a new signing, this one looks at the potential risks.

Todibo has a history of injuries - in fact, when he was nine, on his way to judo practice with his older sister, he was struck by a car. “There were lots of injuries – multiple fractures to my legs, there were fears that I might lose my leg. I was in a coma for three days,” he told The Telegraph in May.

Since the 2019 season, he has suffered 11 different injuries, including groin, Achilles tendon problems, and ankle issues among others. The positive news is that he missed only one league game last season, and West Ham will hope he’s now able to stay fit, with the worst of his injury woes no behind him.

Todibo's aggressive style of play can lead to disciplinary issues, such as picking up yellow and red cards. Beyond the cards, he needs to maintain professionalism. In 2021, while at OGC Nice, he was asked by L'Equipe why things didn't work out for him at Barcelona. He admitted, "I lacked humility, seriousness, and professionalism.

“I don't know who I thought I was. I'm now doing the best that I can, not so people can say that I've changed, but because it makes me feel good. I can't pay attention to other people's opinions in football; otherwise, you quickly end up in a bad place. The only opinion that matters is mine."

So, there are clearly issues there. On his day, he’s a massive defender, as shown by his contributions at Nice, where he’s established himself as the rock at the heart of their defence. Now, he’s about to seal a massive, career-changing move to the Premier League.

West Ham are losing Kurt Zouma to a team in Dubai, and they’re not just losing a good defender but a captain. So, there's a clear need for a strong defender with leadership abilities. Todibo has that potential, but being new to the Premier League will be a massive test, even for top players. The scrutiny is intense, and your responsibilities on and off the field can determine how far you go. Remember when Kurt Zouma landed himself almost 100 hours of community service with the cat incident? Todibo will need to set the highest standards for himself and stay focused.

The reported fee is £34m, and with Juventus also interested, this is a significant win for the Hammers. The hope is that they will not only celebrate beating the Italian giants to his signature, but also that he will excel massively for them. Undoubtedly, the deal poses some risks, but it could be one that pays off handsomely should Todibo relish the challenge ahead of him and deliver on his potential.