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In a fit of post-concession anger, one suspects many a West Ham United supporter has demanded that Max Kilman never pull on the claret and blue shirt again.
There is a chance that they could get their wish, following Monday’s FA Cup fifth-round clash with Brentford.
Max Kilman is in contention to feature at the London Stadium. Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is taking the FA Cup seriously but, with Premier League survival the priority, there will still be a few usual starters given the night off when Keith Andrews’ buzzing Bees come to town.
If you think I’m talking rubbish by naming this team vs Brentford – let me know why 👇
Alternatively, feel free to let me what (if anything) I’ve got spot on 😂
Credit: GRV Media
Axel Disasi has played every single top-flight minute since arriving from Chelsea. Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos are available, though Nuno may opt for Kilman in order to protect his more dependable defensive options.
And, with only two months of the season remaining, there is a chance – albeit maybe a slight one – that Monday night against Brentford will come to mark the end of Kilman’s claret and blue career.
Max Kilman has fallen down the pecking order at West Ham United
The £40 million signing from Wolves has not played a league match since that second-half collapse at Stamford Bridge on January 31st. He is firmly fourth in the pecking order.
It felt telling that, when Todibo was forced to miss three games through suspension, Kilman still didn’t get a look in.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
So presuming that Disasi, Todibo and Mavropanos all stay fit and red card free between now and the end of May, Kilman may have to remain content with cup cameos.
And should Brentford end West Ham’s FA Cup journey on Monday, it is difficult to see where Kilman’s next start would come from.
How much of the £40m that we spent on Max Kilman could we realistically get back?!
Credit: Getty Images/ James Gill – Danehouse
Nuno Espirito Santo hasn’t used Kilman in the Premier League since Chelsea collapse
In the last two months, his only starts have both come in the competition, against QPR and Burton Albion.
There is even a possibility that Nuno opts to bring in fellow left-footer Ezra Mayers at Kilman’s expense when Brentford come to town. Teenager Mayers really caught the eye at Burton last time out. One of the few who did, in truth.
By the manager’s own admission, bringing Kilman on at Chelsea was a ‘mistake’. He was not alone in causing a 2-0 lead to slip in West London, but it was no coincidence that West Ham lost their authority and their defensive solidity once the former Wolves skipper entered the fray; immediately outmuscled in the lead-up to Chelsea’s equaliser.
West Ham are almost certainly going to listen to offers in the summer – Kilman was linked with Crystal Palace recently – while stepping up their interest in potential replacements.
This already feels like the end of the road. It’s just not quite certain how many more steps Max Kilman can take before the tarmac runs out.
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