West Ham's Kilman may never play for club again under Nuno

Manager's decision to start academy graduate Potts over Kilman after Todibo's injury was telling

Mar. 23, 2026 at 5:19am

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Maximilian Kilman's struggles at West Ham have reached a new low, as manager Nuno Espirito Santo opted to start academy graduate Freddie Potts over the English defender after Jean-Clair Todibo's injury. Kilman, who joined West Ham for £40 million in 2024, has not played a league game since January 31 and his long-term future at the club looks bleak under Nuno's management.

Why it matters

Kilman's exclusion from the starting lineup highlights the lack of trust Nuno has in the defender, who played under the manager at Wolverhampton Wanderers. West Ham's decision to bolster their defensive options with the addition of Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea also suggests Kilman's position at the club is tenuous, especially with the team currently in the relegation zone.

The details

With Todibo injured during the pre-match warm-up, Kilman was expected to come in as a like-for-like replacement. However, Nuno opted to start Potts, a midfielder and academy graduate, instead, leading to a tactical switch from a back three to a back four. This decision further underscores Nuno's reluctance to trust Kilman, whose underwhelming performances earlier in the season prompted the club to bring in Disasi on loan.

  • On January 31, Kilman last played a league game for West Ham in a 3-2 defeat by Chelsea.
  • In early January, Kilman was dropped from the starting XI after a 3-0 away defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The players

Maximilian Kilman

A £40 million defender who joined West Ham from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2024, where he played under manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nuno Espirito Santo

The head coach of West Ham United, who has shown a lack of trust in Kilman and opted to start academy graduate Freddie Potts over the English defender.

Jean-Clair Todibo

A West Ham defender who sustained an injury during the pre-match warm-up, leading to Nuno's decision to start Potts instead of Kilman.

Freddie Potts

A West Ham academy graduate who started in place of the injured Todibo, leading to a tactical switch from a back three to a back four.

Axel Disasi

A defender who joined West Ham on loan from Chelsea, further suggesting Kilman's position at the club is tenuous.

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What they’re saying

“It was a decision that we had to make. It was based on what we had for the game. It was about controlling the midfield and the option was Freddie. We trust him and could go, now you look back, (and think) maybe.”

— Nuno Espirito Santo, West Ham United Manager

“Yes, we expected much more from ourselves. It was not good enough and today was a bit of a surprise. Some players really didn't do what we expected.”

— Nuno Espirito Santo, West Ham United Manager

What’s next

West Ham's upcoming league games in April will be a defining month for their survival hopes, with the returns of Todibo and Summerville expected to strengthen the team. As for Kilman, his long-term future at the club appears bleak under Nuno's management.

The takeaway

Kilman's exclusion from the starting lineup despite Todibo's injury highlights the lack of trust Nuno has in the defender, who was a £40 million signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers. This decision, along with West Ham's decision to bring in Disasi on loan, suggests Kilman's days at the club may be numbered under Nuno's leadership.