West Ham, Maxime Esteve, Graham Potter, Burnley
(Credit: Imago/Burnley FC on Youtube)
Declan Carr
Wed 19 March 2025 16:40, UK
Maxime Esteve has been a massive part of the sensational defensive record at Burnley this season, catching the eye of West Ham.
Esteve has attracted interest from the Hammers, Everton and AC Milan after a stunning campaign in the Championship this season.
Inconsistent performances from Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos have exacerbated the need for a centre-back in East London, and the Clarets star fits the bill.
Graham Potter and recruitment supremo Kyle Macaulay are set to overhaul the Irons squad this summer after the mess left behind by Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui.
Potter is set to lead a summer revamp. (Credit: Imago)
David Prutton backs Esteve to shine at West Ham
West Ham face competition for Esteve’s signature, with several clubs interested in his services, so Potter will need to strike fast to secure a deal with Burnley.
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Speaking to Football League World (19 March), Sky Sports host David Prutton believes that the 22-year-old can make the step up to the Premier League.
He said: “West Ham are a side who are consolidating in the Premier League, and have changed management with a view under Graham Potter to adapt to a brand of football that he was lauded for at Brighton.
“What I have seen from Maxime Esteve is a maturity that belies his years, and shows a real consistency of performance.
“He has been an ever-present since getting himself into the side, and that reliability at the very highest level is exactly what these players get paid a hell of a lot of money for.
“The real test in the Premier League is that standard of striker that you come up against and the standard of opposition.
“But given what I have seen of him this season – and you can’t get away from the fact that Burnley have kept 27 clean sheets, which is extraordinary – it feels like Maxime Esteve is a Premier League player in the waiting.”
Esteve is attracting a lot of interest.
West Ham can start successful rebuild with Esteve
Esteve has been an integral part of Scott Parker’s side’s impressive clean sheet record this season. He has started every league game, and they have conceded just 11 goals.
Despite keeping 27 clean sheets, the Lancashire outfit are two points off the automatic promotion places, and any deal would be easier if they remain in the second tier.
Stats (Championship 2024/25) Esteve
Matches played 38
Starts 38
Pass accuracy 90.6%
Duels won 133 (61.6%)
Aerial duels won 78 (63.9%)
Esteve’s Championship stats (Credit: Fotmob)
There are still plenty of twists and turns in the promotion race, though, and the Frenchman could find himself in the top flight with Clarets if the results go their way.
That would potentially make a deal harder, but the security of playing for an established Premier League side rather than one that will be fighting for survival may still prove too much of an attraction.
Potter and his staff will be hoping that Burnley do not get over the line and falter in the playoffs, but that is just the first hurdle to a potential deal.
The next is beating the likes of Everton and Milan to his signature if his current side fail to go up, which will be a hard task.
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