Just 17 months ago, Max Kilman was expressing his ambitions to represent England, buoyed by his rise at Wolves under Nuno Espirito Santo and weeks before a major £40 million transfer to West Ham United.
Now, the notion of him publicly sharing such dreams seems comical, highlighting how dramatically Kilman’s standing has declined since leaving Molineux for the London Stadium.
In a recent match, he was overshadowed by Marc Guehi as West Ham conceded its seventh set-piece goal in five Premier League games, with Kilman once again found wanting as the Hammers suffered a harrowing defeat to Crystal Palace, putting coach Graham Potter in a precarious position.
The prospect of Kilman earning an England call-up, which he was optimistic about during an April 2024 interview with The Guardian, now feels exceedingly unlikely, akin to Potter’s struggles to rectify West Ham’s dismal season.
A potential return to Nuno could not only stabilize the team’s fortunes but also revitalize Kilman’s career as a top-tier defender.
West Ham United’s Max Kilman on Nuno Espirito Santo’s Impact at Wolves
Sources confirm that vice-chair Karren Brady met with Nuno Espirito Santo last week, even prior to Crystal Palace’s latest victory which added to Potter’s woes.
While club owner David Sullivan may prefer a less ambitious candidate like Slaven Bilic, reports suggest that Nuno and West Ham are *”getting closer,”* indicating that Kilman, who debuted under Nuno in 2019, is closely watching the developments.
Nuno’s Support and Defensive Acumen
Nuno brought a meticulous approach to defense that helped Nottingham Forest revive their fortunes in 2023, emphasizing a strong backline that led to considerable success.
Whether he can achieve similar results with Kilman, alongside Konstantinos Mavropanos or Jean-Clair Todibo, remains uncertain, but Nuno’s track record for transforming defenses could be vital for West Ham, who currently have the highest goals conceded in the league.
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