Why Jean-Clair Todibo would be the perfect fit for Man Utd
Ever since his time coming through the youth system at Toulouse, it was clear that Jean-Clair Todibo was a special talent who would go to the very top of the game. Barcelona promptly pulled the trigger to sign the centre-back aged only 20.
Things didn't quite work out for Todibo, and he was shipped out on loan to Schalke and Benfica. Such is the delicate nature of transfers that several on and off field factors play a role in its success or failure. It gets even more tricky in the case of a young player leaving his home country for a big stage such as the Camp Nou.
But it was an initial loan move to OGC Nice at the start of the 2020/21 season that gave Todibo the opportunity to fulfil his potential as a technical front foot defender. He now looks to be on the verge of yet another big move, with Manchester United among the prime contenders for his signature.
With Raphael Varane’s injury record and Harry Maguire’s imminent transfer to West Ham, Todibo can slot into the squad straight away to provide cover before eventually stepping up as first choice.
Will things turn out differently for him this time around? The French International is not the same player he was at Barcelona, and has matured to become an integral part of a Nice defence that has the best defensive record in Ligue 1 over the past two seasons.
Jean-Clair Todibo Transfer Value - how much is he worth?
Todibo’s Expected Transfer Value (xTV) is currently €24.2 million. His value has risen considerably over the past season due to his excellent on-pitch performances.
With interest from Manchester United, Newcastle and West Ham, his asking price is reported to be between €40 and €50 million. This would still be seen as a good deal for a solid modern day centre back who would represent a long term acquisition for any top club.
Jean-Clair Todibo’s strengths and weaknesses - how does he fit in at United?
Erik Ten Hag announced in pre-season that he wants his United side to be the best transition team in the world. Todibo’s comfort in both attacking and defensive transitions makes him an excellent fit for such a system.
The 23-year-old’s strength and athleticism makes him a good 1v1 defender who is comfortable defending in wide areas. With 73.2% dribblers tackled, 1.51 tackles won and 7.78 ball recoveries per 90, he is also very adept at stepping into challenges high up the pitch. This makes him well suited to the manager’s philosophy and an instant upgrade on Maguire.
Once he wins the ball, the right-footed defender can also quickly turn defence into attack. His 0.6 successful dribbles per 90, and impressive carrying distance makes him stand out compared to positional peers in Ligue 1.
According to WhoScored, yet another strength of the Cayenne-born talent is his passing. Todibo attempts an impressive 68 passes per 90 at a 88.5% completion rate. More importantly, he made 4.8 progressive passes and 4.3 passes into the final third per 90 last season. All the above in addition to the variation he offers in his distribution will contribute significantly to United’s build-up from deeper positions.
An area for improvement is his ability in the air. Despite standing at 1.90 metres, Todibo’s 57.4% aerial win rate is much lower than Varane’s (77.0%). This would leave United exposed at the back, especially when he is paired with Lisandro Martínez.
The Frenchman also received three red cards in all competitions last season, and his aggressive approach makes him prone to the odd mistimed tackle that can cost his team.
Todibo already has experience dealing with the pressures of a big club. Despite some kinks in his game, there is plenty to be excited about how Todibo’s proactive and progressive style fits into what Manchester United need from a centre back.
This article was provided by FootballTransfers
