West Ham to activate release clause of perfect Max Kilman and JC Todibo partner – report
One of the biggest priorities for Graham Potter this summer is to strengthen his West Ham defence.
The club’s record at the back has been nothing short of atrocious over the past two seasons – David Moyes oversaw the club’s worst ever defensive record in the Premier League era with 74 goals conceded, before Julen Lopetegui and Potter shipped 62 goals between them in 24/25.
For context, in the club’s previous 27 seasons in the top-flight, they averaged 54.9 goals conceded per season.
So there is a lot of work to be done this summer to ensure there isn’t a repeat at London Stadium in 25/26, not least because of the defensive exits set to happen in east London.
Aaron Cresswell, Vladimir Coufal and Kurt Zouma have all been released this summer, while it’s expected that Nayef Aguerd will be sold after a successful loan spell with Real Sociedad last term while Emerson Palmieri is reportedly attracting interest from Lazio.
If Emerson and Aguerd are allowed to leave, that would mean Potter has only Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Ollie Scarles available as first-team defenders.
Just enough for a five at the back formation, but no room for a single injury for an entire season.
So it’s vitally important Potter and his recruitment team bring in serious defensive reinforcements this summer.
West Ham want Kevin Lomonaco
According to Minuto Uno, West Ham are lining up a move for Red Bull Bragantino centre-back, Kevin Lomonaco.
The 23-year-old has impressed while on loan at Independiente, earning a first call up to the Argentina national squad for the first time.
It’s claimed the youngster has a £14.8million release clause in his contract, which sounds like a snip for what could soon be a full Argentina international.
There are other clubs believed to be interested in his signature, including Real Betis, but you would like to think the pull of playing in the Premier League and living in London might give West Ham the edge.
Labelled as the ‘best centre-back in South America,’ Lomonaco certainly seems like the real deal and could be the perfect partner for Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo as part of Potter’s preferred back-three.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Arwq4o2byo&ab_channel=SudamericaComps
The defender is arguably at this best when in possession of the ball, with one of this best traits being his ability to dribble out of defence and into midfield, beating players with his pace and strength before offloading to his midfield teammates or playing through balls in behind the opposition defence.
Those attributes make him the ideal centre-back to have in a back three partnership, while it also suggests he could act as cover in midfield should there be any need for it.
For Independiente, Lomonaco bursting into midfield or going on mazy runs has become a regular sight, while he is also a very solid defender who reads the game well and is strong aerially.
If West Ham can win the race for the Argentine and secure him for such a small fee, they might just have the perfect partner for Kilman and Todibo next season.