Jean-Clair Todibo: Liverpool’s Perfect Successor to Matip
Introducing Todibo: Reds Spotted Scouting Nice Centre Back
As Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, digested the deafening ring of the final whistle, marking their defeat against Real Madrid in the previous Champions League final, his gaze was resolutely fixed on the road ahead.
Despite a twin trophy triumph in the domestic cups, Klopp’s adversaries from Manchester City and Los Blancos had the last laugh, edging Liverpool in the Premier League and Europe by the slimmest of threads.
The 2022/23 season, however, has been a bitter pill to swallow for the Reds. They’ve stumbled, losing their footing, and now cling to a slim hope of securing a Champions League spot for the upcoming year with just three matches remaining.
Drained and lacking inspiration, Liverpool are on the hunt for fresh talent. The midfield may be the most obvious area needing an upgrade, but bolstering the defence could be key to reigniting their once indomitable unity. Enter Jean-Clair Todibo, the shining star of Nice.
Scouts from the Anfield outfit were reportedly spotted at Nice’s clash against Rennes, along with representatives from Manchester United and Newcastle United, as noted by Fabrizio Romano.
A whopping €45m (£40m) is the proposed price tag for Todibo’s talents, sparking interest among Klopp and his team, who need to act decisively to augment their squad.
The Case for Todibo’s Transfer to Liverpool
The young French centre-back has caught the eye with his performance in Ligue 1, initially arriving at Le Gym on loan from Barcelona before the deal was made permanent. Todibo has since become an integral part of the defence.
With 99 appearances and two goals under his belt, the Frenchman has been a “rock,” as talent scout Jacek Kulig praised, playing 30 league games this season and being a crucial element in the division’s second-best defence, conceding just 32 goals in 34 matches.
Sofascore statistics reveal that Todibo averages 2.2 tackles and 3.2 clearances per match this season, with an impressive 89% pass completion rate. His prowess with the ball is reflected in his 81% dribble success rate, and his dogged determination is evident from his 70% ground duel win rate.
These robust qualities could be the perfect fit for Klopp’s squad, who are in desperate need of reinforcing their defensive line after a disappointing year.
Todibo’s arrival could potentially unsettle Joel Matip, who has struggled to maintain his place in the team, featuring in only five of the last 17 league matches. Matip’s poor performance against Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this season even led CBS reporter Nico Cantor to label him as “awful”.
Despite a recent resurgence in form, Matip, at 31, has struggled to secure a regular starting position, suggesting that his time at Anfield might be coming to an end.
FBref statistics place Todibo among the top 13% of defenders in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passes over the past year, the top 6% for successful take-ons, and the top 8% for tackles per 90. These stats align with Klopp’s tactical philosophy and could make Todibo an appealing prospect.
With his diverse style and dynamic approach, Todibo would add a new dimension to Liverpool’s defence. Kulig supports this view, describing him as “complete”.
Given that the peak of his career is yet to come, Todibo might just find the path to stardom at Liverpool, blossoming into
