“This is only the beginning of me” was Jean-Clair Todibo’s statement message to West Ham United supporters after he reflected on his start to life in the Premier League and Claret and Blue.
The French defender had to be patient for his opportunity in the Hammers’ defence this season, having missed almost the entirety of pre-season, before being handed a starting berth against Liverpool in the EFL Carabao Cup late last month and resuming that role for the next three Premier League fixtures against Brentford, Ipswich and Tottenham Hotspur.
Our No25 has partnered Maximilian Kilman in defence this season with a string of impressive performances but insists that the best is yet to come from him and this West Ham side.
Julen Lopetegui’s side sit 13th ahead of Saturday’s game against high-flying Nottingham Forest at the City Ground after securing three points on a dramatic Sunday afternoon at London Stadium against Manchester United, and Todibo says there is nothing he loves more than the cut-and-thrust of competitive action in the titanic top-flight.
“I’m really looking forward to this game [against Nottingham Forest],” said Todibo. “They’re a very, very good team and are seventh in the Premier League table, so it’s a good challenge for us, and we have to go and make sure we win this game because I think it will be good for us if we can win two games in a row.
“I think they are going to play like they have from the beginning of the season with big determination and a team that are really effective with good quality in forward areas and as a team. They have a lot of quality players throughout their team, so we’re expecting a very tough match.
“I think it was an important win [against Manchester United] because we showed a lot of character in this game. It was tough after the defeat against Tottenham, but it was the right response, and everyone reacted in the right way to get us the win we wanted. Every game is three points. It doesn’t matter if you win against Manchester City or Nottingham Forest, so I don’t think there are specific games that give you more confidence because, for me, it’s about getting three points.”
Patience has paid off for Todibo, who is making up for lost time after missing out on pre-season and joining the Club from OGC Nice on the eve of the new campaign.
The 24-year-old says he understands the reasons behind being eased into Premier League action and insists he is feeling fitter and stronger with every passing game.
“I’m happy with my own start to the season, and I am looking for even better, to feel physically better,” he added. “At the beginning of the season, that was my mindset - to get as fit as quickly as possible and try to at 100 per cent. I know when I’m at that 100 per cent level I’ll be able to help the team in the ways that I want to.
“I’ve been working very hard to get myself up to speed, and if I’m honest, I’m not even 80 per cent as of yet. I am continuing to work hard on my programme and have been since I arrived here because I didn’t have any pre-season, and it’s hard for football players who miss pre-season. Pre-season is the most important part of a season for a football player because it allows you to be ready to perform throughout the season, so I’m trying to progress all the time.
“I’m a player who is very objective and understands when I can and can’t do something. At the beginning with my physical condition, it was impossible for me to help the team, so it was understandable for me to be on the bench, and it takes time for me to get fit. Even today, I’m not as fit as I want to be, so I believe the best of Jean-Clair Todibo is still to come.”
