Joël Veltman arrived at West Ham United looking like sensible experienced cover.
His first weeks in east London suggest Nuno Espírito Santo may have gained something more valuable: genuine competition at right-back.
Kyle Walker-Peters remains an established option, but Veltman has already shown that his role does not have to be restricted to emergency minutes.
The numbers behind his first Championship appearances underline that point.
Joël Veltman’s West Ham numbers stand out
Veltman’s current FotMob data records seven Championship appearances, including three starts, and 298 minutes.
Across those minutes, the Dutchman has averaged approximately 2.4 tackles and 2.1 interceptions per 90.
He has also won 59.3 per cent of his duels.
Those are useful numbers for a defender West Ham initially signed partly because of the experience and versatility he could provide to Nuno’s squad.
Veltman has already shown he can be trusted from the start.
He completed 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw at Watford before playing another full league game as West Ham beat Derby County 3-0.
That Derby performance was particularly encouraging. FotMob handed him a 7.6 rating as West Ham recorded a clean sheet at London Stadium.
It provides more evidence that Veltman should not simply be viewed as cover for Walker-Peters.
That was already the argument when we examined why Veltman could prove to be a smart West Ham signing, but his competitive appearances are now starting to provide evidence to support it.
Veltman has already changed a Championship game
His contribution has not been limited to defensive work.
Veltman came off the bench during West Ham’s 3-2 victory at Bolton Wanderers and supplied Jarrod Bowen for the decisive 77th-minute goal.
The official West Ham player profile credits Veltman with that assist, his second in all competitions after also creating a goal against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.
Our Bolton match report highlighted how Veltman’s introduction helped West Ham find the winning goal in a difficult away contest.
It was exactly the sort of contribution required from a squad player during a demanding Championship campaign.
Nuno has a genuine selection option at right-back
West Ham knew they were signing an experienced Premier League defender when Veltman arrived following six seasons with Brighton.
Veltman later explained why West Ham’s size and project convinced him to make the move, while he immediately made clear that promotion was the objective.
What has changed is the evidence available to Nuno.
Veltman has started league matches, contributed defensively and directly created a winning goal.
Walker-Peters does not suddenly cease to be an important player because of that.
Instead, West Ham appear to have something promotion contenders need across a 46-game season: two senior options capable of competing for the same position.
Veltman was signed to strengthen the squad.
His early numbers suggest he can do considerably more than simply fill a space on the bench.
