Former West Ham defender gives Champions League masterclass

West Ham entered in this summer transfer window with an aim to massively improve their defensive ranks with experience and quality for this season. While they managed to sign elite players such as Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the Hammers have only three centre-backs in their squad and hence, don't have much squad depth in their defence. Moreover, West Ham have Emerson as the only reliable option on the left back position as well, and any injuries to these star defenders can keep Julen Lopetegui's side from achieving a top six Premier League finish this season. 

However, West Ham could have had a brilliant versatile defender at the club, but the Hammers decided to sell him quickly in the January transfer window. The player is former West Ham defender Thilo Kehrer, who left the London Stadium on a initial loan move to join French side Monaco midway through the last season, before joining Monaco on a permanent basis for a transfer fee of £11 million in the transfer window. Since his loan move, Kehrer has been a brilliant performer for Monaco in the French league and recently gave a defensive masterclass in his side's 2-1 win against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. 

Former West Ham defender gives Champions League masterclass

Despite playing against star Barcelona forwards such as Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, Kehrer was rock solid in defence and made several huge tackles inside the box to deny the La Liga side from scoring an equaliser, helping Monaco take a convincing 2-1 win in the opening Champions League matchday. Moreover, Kehrer is a versatile defender who can play as a centre back as well as a fullback and could have been an important squad player for Julen Lopetegui's side this season. However, West Ham decided to sell Kehrer to make way for signing new defenders, despite the 27-year-old’s decent performance during his one and a half season stay at the London Stadium. 

Meanwhile, Kaelan Casey looks highly likely to become the fourth choice centre-back for West Ham this season, who will face Chelsea in the next Premier League match.