Jean-Clair Todibo has sparked controversy by posting a video on social media ahead of his return to West Ham for pre-season training.
The defender has been heavily criticised over his fitness levels and attitude after a poor debut season with the Hammers.
Now Jean-Clair Todibo has split opinion as his latest move leaves many questioning his actions heading into pre-season after West Ham were obligated to make his move permanent for a whopping £32m.
As far as debut seasons after big money moves go, Todibo at West Ham has been up there with some of the more underwhelming the club has ever seen.
When Tim Steidten jetted to Nice to persuade Todibo to join West Ham over Juventus last summer, it left fans giddy with excitement.
Todibo’s underwhelming debut season at West Ham
Less than a year on, the Hammers could barely muster any enthusiasm when confirming Todibo’s move has been made permanent due to the obligation clause in his season-long loan.
West Ham’s recent confirmation of Todibo’s permanent move was underwhelming and lacking in the kind of positive vocabulary you would normally associate with such announcements.
Even if it was merely a formality, signing a supposed potential France international should be something to celebrate.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
West Ham even bemoaned the defender’s injury record as they bundled Todibo’s announcement in with confirmation that Carlos Soler and Evan Ferguson were departing.
The Frenchman was meant to be the jewel in the crown of West Ham “winning the transfer window” last summer.
But it is yet another of Steidten’s deals that now looks highly questionable.
Jean-Clair Todibo in action for West Ham during a Premier League clash with Newcastle
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
Todibo struggled to complete 90 minutes in games all season – being subbed off nearly every match he started.
The club’s majority owner David Sullivan even stated the Todibo deal has “hurt” West Ham financially back in January.
Top Hammers insider Sean Whetstone, who counts co-owner Sullivan and Karren Brady among his close contacts, recently claimed there are concerns within the club over Todibo’s inability to last 90 minutes.
He also reported West Ham are open to performing a ‘quick flip’ sale of Todibo this summer if reasonable offers are received.
Todibo posts controversial video after being labelled unfit
West Ham legend Tony Gale labelled Todibo ‘lazy’ after his performance in the season-ending win at Ipswich.
It emerged Newcastle boss Eddie Howe snubbed a move for Todibo over concerns about his attitude and character last summer having done the kind of ‘background checks’ that were a pre-requisite of any deal when David Moyes was West Ham manager.
Todibo went on to have a widely publicised major physical altercation with 58-year-old Julen Lopetegui which saw him banished from first team training and the squad for a short spell.
Now Todibo has posted a controversial video ahead of his West Ham return after being labelled unfit.
Jean-Clair Todibo in action for West Ham against Newcastle United
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Todibo indulges in fast food days from pre-season
There were several occasions last season where Todibo’s lack of intensity in training stood out in videos released by the club – under both Lopetegui and Graham Potter.
On occasion Todibo looks like he has all the attributes to be a top Premier League defender.
But his lack of focus and fitness sometimes makes him look more Championship than Champions League.
So it may not have been the wisest decision to post a high production value video on social media in which Todibo can be seen scoffing burgers and chips and drinking fizzy drinks, five days out from pre-season training getting underway.
The second most expensive defender in West Ham’s history is filmed using a mixture of drones and cameras as he enjoys holiday time in the US.
He also posted a series of images with the caption: “Work. Chill. Repeat. US.”
Hammers star who struggles to complete 90 minutes has been exercising too
In fairness he certainly appears to be living by those words with images showing Todibo exercising in a variety of ways from running to cycling.
Although many West Ham fans have picked up on his choice of food and drink for highly-paid athlete.
Especially one who has big question marks over his fitness and conditioning hanging over his head.
Some West Ham fans have defended Todibo in light of criticism he has received about his meal choice, pointing out he is entitled to let his hair down on holiday.
But if he stays at the club and struggles again next season, it will undoubtedly be one of the first things thrown at him.
West Ham need a huge season from Todibo and their other big investments given the club’s alarming regression over the last season-and-a-half.
With Potter looking to rebuild the team around young players, he also needs senior players to lead by example.
Todibo has to be one of those players and there were glimpses he could be at times last season.
But it was not often enough and the jury remains very much out on the ex Barcelona flop in east London.
He needs to be given the benefit of the doubt, though, after a season of adjustment to get used to the Premier League.
If Todibo turns it on week in, week out for the Hammers and puts in the kind of performances he has shown he is capable of then fans won’t care what he is eating.