Nuno Espírito Santo has addressed the situations of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jean-Clair Todibo after both defenders were left out of West Ham United’s squad for the 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Portsmouth.
The pair were nowhere to be seen as West Ham began their competitive campaign with a comeback win at the London Stadium, adding further uncertainty around their futures.
Kyle Walker-Peters started at right-back, while Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos were used in central defence. New signing Joël Veltman was also named among the substitutes.
According to a Yahoo Sports report covering Nuno’s latest comments on Wan-Bissaka and Todibo, questions over both players remain as West Ham continue reshaping the squad following relegation.
West Ham exits remain possible for Wan-Bissaka and Todibo
Their Portsmouth absences become more significant when placed alongside West Ham’s wider transfer plans.
The Times reported this week that the Hammers could still generate further income through the departures of Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Niclas Füllkrug and Edson Álvarez.
West Ham have already raised substantial money from sales this summer and remain in the middle of a major rebuild designed to give Nuno a squad capable of winning promotion at the first attempt.
ReadWestHam recently looked at the three transfer priorities still facing the club before the Championship opener, with balancing further exits against the need to strengthen Nuno’s squad becoming increasingly important.
Wan-Bissaka joined West Ham from Manchester United for around £15million in 2024 and still has considerable top-level experience to offer.
His position has changed, however, following relegation and the emergence of Walker-Peters as an obvious alternative on the right.
Todibo’s situation appears even more complicated.
The France international joined permanently from Nice in a deal worth around £33million, but his relationship with Nuno deteriorated towards the end of last season.
Todibo was substituted after only 25 minutes of the defeat at Newcastle before reports subsequently claimed he told Nuno he would not play for him again. He was then omitted for the final game against Leeds.
West Ham have since added Veltman to their defensive options, while Mavropanos has indicated he is ready to play an important role in the promotion campaign.
ReadWestHam covered Mavropanos’ strong message about the club’s Premier League ambitions on Sunday, increasing the possibility that the Greek defender remains while others depart.
Neither Wan-Bissaka nor Todibo has left yet.
But with competitive football now underway and both defenders outside Nuno’s first matchday squad, the next few weeks could finally bring clarity over two of West Ham’s biggest remaining transfer decisions.
