Jean-Clair Todibo has been something of an enigma during his first two years at West Ham – but it seems his reputation is somewhat unfair.
That’s if the opinion of his current manager Nuno Espirito Santo is anything to go by.
Jean-Clair Todibo was seen as the jewel in the crown of West Ham’s big spending summer window under Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidten.
The German technical director jetted out to Nice to persuade Todibo to choose West Ham over Juventus and he joined on a season-long loan with a £35m obligation to buy.
Nuno makes it clear Todibo is not a bad apple at West Ham
That has often looked like a very bad deal for the Hammers as Todibo has looked unfit, unfussed, unfocused and more Championship than Champions League level at times.
He has had fitness and injury issues with the Frenchman seemingly incapable of playing the full 90 minutes during his debut season.
Have your opinions of Mavropanos and Todibo CHANGED? 🧱 ❌
Do West Ham still need to sign a centre-back?
Konstantinos Mavropanos and Jean-Clair Todibo line up for a corner during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester City
Photo by Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Todibo also had big bust-ups with both of Nuno’s predecessors, Lopetegui and Graham Potter.
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There was persistent talk the former Barcelona flop wanted out of the Hammers too and fans have very much been divided over the centre-back until his recent upturn in form.
Jean-Clair Todibo of West Ham United
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Now Nuno has cleared up the Todibo myth at West Ham following past tensions.
Todibo had a physical altercation with Lopetegui when he was criticised during a heavy defeat to Arsenal during his debut campaign.
Lopetegui confirmed the incident but played it down as normal at most clubs.
He saw fit to banish Todibo from the squad for a game, though, making him train with the Under 21s.
Todibo a positive influence despite issues with former managers
Todibo did not get on with Potter either and hailed Nuno for sorting out the mess at West Ham earlier this season.
Potter’s disastrous tenure had ended with Todibo out of the side after a fallout behind the scenes.
Nuno’s squad is certainly STRONGER three months on! ⚒️ 🆚 🐺
Who has been the biggest upgrade? Disasi for Kilman surely…
West Ham v Wolves XI on January 3rd, 2006
In his final days at the club, Potter called Todibo into his office to demand more effort from him in training.
A leak from sources close to Potter have since claimed Todibo responded by turning up late to West Ham training the next day.
The twice-capped France international was also left out of Nuno’s first few West Ham squads on his arrival at the club.
Jean-Clair Todibo congratulates Mads Hermansen during West Ham United v Manchester City - Premier League
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
He has been one of West Ham’s most improved players under the Portuguese, though, and was coming into his own with steely, high quality performances until a sending off at Chelsea and then his latest knock before Villa.
Todibo is back for Wolves and when Nuno was asked about the centre-back he could not speak more highly of his influence on the team and in the dressing room.
“I think he’s reacted well in recent weeks,” Nuno told the press.
“When he got the red card (against Chelsea) he was in a good moment, and the team was in a good moment. Unfortunately, we missed him for three games, but he came back.
“Then, he suffered a setback in the warm-up against Aston Villa, but he’s been recovering well.
“He’s always positive, he’s a very positive boy, and we’re looking forward to having him back with us.”
Todibo’s demeanour and body language have sometimes played into the perception that the 26-year-old has a bad attitude.
So this is a lesson in never judging a book by its cover.
It also comes after Todibo revealed the selfless reason he is desperate to keep West Ham up.
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