Adrian Clarke analyses the key summer signings and the impact they could make at their new clubs in the Premier League this season.
Player analysis - Max Kilman (West Ham)
Julen Lopetegui inherited a creaking West Ham defence, so it is no surprise he has moved swiftly to recruit Kilman from his former club Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Without the protection offered by Declan Rice, West Ham’s defence was a little more exposed last season.
Partly as a consequence of that, they faced an incredible 482 shots in open play, the second-highest tally in the league, behind only relegated Sheffield United.
Lacking the resilience shown in previous seasons, David Moyes’ side conceded 1.71 goals per match from shots inside their own box (65 in total) .
None of the other 16 Premier League teams who avoided relegation had such a poor record, with AFC Bournemouth the closest on 60 goals conceded from inside the penalty area.
Kilman will be asked to defend the box better than his predecessors as Lopetegui seeks to make big improvements at the back.
He will have an early opportunity to make his mark when the Hammers take on the club who sold him, Wolves, in a pre-season friendly this weekend in Florida.
See: All clubs' pre-season fixtures
Kilman's defensive numbers 23/24
| Max Kilman | Total | Defender rank* |
|---|---|---|
| Possession won defensive third | 116 | 3rd |
| Headed clearances | 101 | 3rd |
| Clearances | 179 | 4th |
| Blocks | 34 | 4th |
| Successful passes | 1,972 | 5th |
| Dribbled past | 8 | 6th |
| Aerial duels won | 89 | 8th |
*Minimum 30 starts
West Ham's latest signing has proved to be a first-class defender at the highest level.
Excellent in 1v1s, opponents very rarely take the ball past Kilman, who featured for every minute of Wolves’ 2023/24 Premier League campaign.
He is a dominant aerial presence too, which will help a defence that lost more aerial duels than all but six top-flight teams last season.
On the ball Kilman is also very comfortable, completing almost 2,000 successful passes, mostly with his precise left foot.
Kilman is a terrific long passer, completing 3.79 per 90 minutes under Gary O’Neil, and this trait should help West Ham quickly turn defence into attack.
His wonderful curling through-ball for Rayan Ait-Nouri against Burnley last season is typical of the quality distribution he can provide.
An adaptable left footer
With media reports linking Nayef Aguerd with a possible move away from West Ham, Lopetegui will likely use Kilman in his role on the left side of a centre-back partnership.
Lopetegui prefers four-man defences and he exclusively played the former Maidenhead United star on the left of a two during his time at Wolves.
Registering eight clean sheets in 11 home matches when they worked together at Molineux, great trust has been built between Kilman and Lopetegui.
Kilman could also move seamlessly to play on the right of a duo.
Bruno Lage and O'Neil regularly asked the defender to occupy that role either in a two or three-man backline.
He is not fazed by switching, and his superb left-footed distribution often worked well, especially when sweeping early passes wide to full-backs or wingers on his outside.
As shown below in his heat maps from Sky Sports under three different Wolves managers, Kilman is a versatile central defender.
Kilman v Aguerd
Stylistically, Kilman shares many similar traits with Morocco international Aguerd, the left-footed defender he is expected to replace in 2024/25.
Both brought the ball out from the back with confidence last season, each averaging 13 ball carries per 90, and they are equally confident with their distribution too.
Kilman, as the taller man, will certainly provide West Ham with more of a physical presence.
Always muscular in his approach, he should provide a degree more robustness when the Hammers are looking to protect their own goal.
While it should be noted he started 17 more matches than Aguerd, the impressive Kilman’s per 90-minute stats still measured up favourably in most departments last season.
Kilman’s incredible rise from futsal to non-league football, and then to the Premier League, is worthy of great admiration.
The 27-year-old’s temperament has stood up to every test he’s encountered so far, which should enable him to handle the move to London Stadium with quiet confidence.
His brave defending, quick feet in tight areas and excellent composure in possession have clearly adhered Kilman to Lopetegui, and could see him become instantly popular with West Ham fans too.
Kilman has earned this move by displaying all the attributes expected of a modern-day central defender.
His fitness record is also terrific, missing only one Premier League match across the last two seasons.
It is easy to see why Lopetegui was so keen to bring him on board.
