Jean-Clair Todibo

[Joan]

I'd like to state that I now believe Jean-Clair Todibo is going to turn out to be the next Raphael Varane so any comments I made against him shall henceforth not be used against me.

I'll call you out once he becomes the next Iniesta.

 

[Arizona Scott]

If he comes, it is as a free. He only has to be better or more promising than the La Masia cbs/dcms to be worth giving it a try. Lenglet was just bought last year for 36 and Mina went for nearly that. Give the kid a look and keep doing business.

 

[Leo_Messi]

If he comes, it is as a free. He only has to be better or more promising than the La Masia cbs/dcms to be worth giving it a try. Lenglet was just bought last year for 36 and Mina went for nearly that. Give the kid a look and keep doing business.

I for once would have nothing against Abidal and the board doing a bit of low-risk gambling by signing Todibo for free this upcoming summer although I consider it as a strange option at first glance.

My main problem is that I could very well see the board settling for that which would be unacceptable. In particular if Umtiti's knee problems are long-term as feared.

Piqué will be 32.5 years old when the next season begins. More slower than ever too. We cannot gamble when substituting such an important player that has been the backbone of our defense for such a long period of time. 11 years this summer.

So getting Todibo is not a problem on its own. It is what follows after that which I might consider as a problem or at least a worrying development.

Let us hope that Abidal has seen something special about this player 10 games into his senior career that others have difficulties with spotting. The thing that gives me hope that Abidal might have struck gold, is the fact that apparently other clubs are interested as well, in particular Juventus. However let us see.

It's the same story with Rabiot. If his transfer is not followed up by another midfielder (provided that Rakitic leaves as expected next summer and hopefully), I would consider it as a good business opportunity but if Rabiot is our version of De Jong, Ndombele and other very talented midfielders or our version of an world class and established midfielder, I would be less enthusiastic. It's all about the full picture, not bits of it.

Rabiot-Todibo-Rakitic is going to be our midfield next season

Don't give him too good ideas. In all seriousness, he is likely to leave the club this summer so we will hopefully never see such a monstrosity in action.

 

[Arizona Scott]

I for once would have nothing against Abidal and the board doing a bit of low-risk gambling by signing Todibo for free this upcoming summer although I consider it as a strange option at first glance.

My main problem is that I could very well see the board settling for that which would be unacceptable. In particular if Umtiti's knee problems are long-term as feared.

Piqué will be 32.5 years old when the next season begins. More slower than ever too. We cannot gamble when substituting such an important player that has been the backbone of our defense for such a long period of time. 11 years this summer.

So getting Todibo is not a problem on its own. It is what follows after that which I might consider as a problem or at least a worrying development.

Let us hope that Abidal has seen something special about this player 10 games into his senior career that others have difficulties with spotting. The thing that gives me hope that Abidal might have struck gold, is the fact that apparently other clubs are interested as well, in particular Juventus. However let us see.

It's the same story with Rabiot. If his transfer is not followed up by another midfielder (provided that Rakitic leaves as expected next summer and hopefully), I would consider it as a good business opportunity but if Rabiot is our version of De Jong, Ndombele and other very talented midfielders or our version of an world class and established midfielder, I would be less enthusiastic. It's all about the full picture, not bits of it.


.

Todibo and Rabiot I think are pretty different and are only being discussed together b/c of coincidence of timing. Rabiot is a young player, 23, but one who has played on the big stage against top comp and when I have seen him generally looks good. H also is a major investment. I don't think a midfield of Busquets/Rakitic/Rabiot/Coutinho/Vidal/Arthur shapes out as bad at all. That would be two young substantial investments (Rabiot/Arthur) over the past 2 years, with a mix of declining but still big game vets (Rakitic/Busquets/Vidal). I think it is also possible with Rabiot (more rangy than other Barca midfielders while still skillful) + a defensive oriented CM (Busquets, Vidal and Rakitic can do so in orientation if asked) it is possible Countinho could be played much more effectively. To me this is the strongest midfield, and viable possibilities since Xavi retired.

I don't think Todibo determines whether there is a chase for a 1st choice quality CB in chase this year. That is almost entirely down to the Umtiti outlook. Umtiti/Pique/Lenglet + prospects is OK. Take out Umtiti as a likely fixture, totally different challenge--though Murrillo or Todibo could be look closely the rest of the year.

IF CB and midfield were settled Barca they could then focus efforts and money for that other striker to mix in for Suarez. My ideal would be Salah or Kane, but Werner or Pepe but be worth a move to..

 

[khaled_a_d]

I don't think Todibo determines whether there is a chase for a 1st choice quality CB in chase this year. That is almost entirely down to the Umtiti outlook. Umtiti/Pique/Lenglet + prospects is OK. Take out Umtiti as a likely fixture, totally different challenge--though Murrillo or Todibo could be look closely the rest of the year.

Depends on whether Lenglet and Umtiti can start together, because we need a future replacement for Pique

 

[krakdol]

Depends on whether Lenglet and Umtiti can start together, because we need a future replacement for Pique

Deschamps would answer a definitive no to this question since they're both left-footed.

I think that's a bit bullshit, we had many club or national teams with 2 right-footed or 2 left-footed defenders and it worked fine... Just not as optimal. Shouldn't make him chose Rami over Laporte.

 

[Jombi]

Deschamps would answer a definitive no to this question since they're both left-footed.

I think that's a bit bullshit, we had many club or national teams with 2 right-footed or 2 left-footed defenders and it worked fine... Just not as optimal. Shouldn't make him chose Rami over Laporte.

Which teams have had two left footed CBs as a long term success? I genuinely dont know.

 

[Jombi]

It could make sense to sign him since he could be an opportunity in the market. But I haven't seen him play although no CB at that age has played as many games as him this season, so thats at least something. Hopefully Abidal knows him well.

 

[Andresito]

Would be nice to get him in january.

No pressure for him while he gets to know the club and the system.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Deschamps would answer a definitive no to this question since they're both left-footed.

I think that's a bit bullshit, we had many club or national teams with 2 right-footed or 2 left-footed defenders and it worked fine... Just not as optimal. Shouldn't make him chose Rami over Laporte.

I am not a believer in LCB/RCB thing either, but I really don't remember 2 left footed CBs starting together successfully; and we are yet to see them both playing together in the club.
So I don't have a sure answer, depends on how the club sees it, Abidal himself played a lot of CB while being left footed so he might have an idea about it

 

[krakdol]

Well, for example I remember Koscielny / Varane being very successful in France NT while being both right-footed. Is there a difference with a left-footed duo ?

 

[khaled_a_d]

Well, for example I remember Koscielny / Varane being very successful in France NT while being both right-footed. Is there a difference with a left-footed duo ?

Left footed players are rarity, and usually they tend to shift to their comfortable side more and usually they don't have to adjust b/c the chances of partnering with another left footed CB is slim, on the other hand most right footed players are used to play beside each other and ready for that adjustment
Not saying it can't happen, or what you are saying isn't logical. But we haven't seen it tbh

 

[DonAndres]

Don't have a clue about this dude but De Ligt seems like a truly hopeless case now so it's not like it hurts. Good build and looks very athletic which is becoming critical for CB's at the highest level (Koulibaly, VVD, Varane, Umtiti pre injury). I can't say anything about him as a player but the fact that multiple big clubs are after him means that there has to be something they see.

Problem is that De Ligt looked like he could come in and contribute on day 1 despite his age while this guy is likely to be a project that won't play for a while and might even go out on loan.

 

[Leo_Messi]

Todibo and Rabiot I think are pretty different and are only being discussed together b/c of coincidence of timing. Rabiot is a young player, 23, but one who has played on the big stage against top comp and when I have seen him generally looks good. H also is a major investment. I don't think a midfield of Busquets/Rakitic/Rabiot/Coutinho/Vidal/Arthur shapes out as bad at all. That would be two young substantial investments (Rabiot/Arthur) over the past 2 years, with a mix of declining but still big game vets (Rakitic/Busquets/Vidal). I think it is also possible with Rabiot (more rangy than other Barca midfielders while still skillful) + a defensive oriented CM (Busquets, Vidal and Rakitic can do so in orientation if asked) it is possible Countinho could be played much more effectively. To me this is the strongest midfield, and viable possibilities since Xavi retired.

I don't think Todibo determines whether there is a chase for a 1st choice quality CB in chase this year. That is almost entirely down to the Umtiti outlook. Umtiti/Pique/Lenglet + prospects is OK. Take out Umtiti as a likely fixture, totally different challenge--though Murrillo or Todibo could be look closely the rest of the year.

IF CB and midfield were settled Barca they could then focus efforts and money for that other striker to mix in for Suarez. My ideal would be Salah or Kane, but Werner or Pepe but be worth a move to..

Of course they are different cases but I am looking at the full picture emerging and it is not a too pretty one if you ask me.

I have already written several long posts about what I think of Rabiot and his likely arrival.

Coutinho has played a total of 215 minutes as a midfielder in the past 12 months. He is NOT a midfielder as long as Valverde is the manager. If the board had any sanity left they would part ways with a 31 year old and declining Rakitic and sell him to the highest bidder. This upcoming summer will be the last chance for the club to receive a nice sum of money for him. Vidal and Busquets are not youngsters anymore either. We need reinforcements here. Preferably young and established talents or the finished article. I would be content with Rabiot as an addition to the squad and due to him being an opportunity but not if he comes alone.

I don't know what this board is thinking. However Mundo Deportivo started talking about Todibo as our CB reinforcement. Make what you want of that claim but it does not really give me a lot of confidence knowing that Piqué is not exactly a youngster anymore while Umtiti's immediate future is uncertain due to his recurrent knee problems.

To me Todibo is a project. We don't need that at all. Lenglet is 23 years old. Umtiti is young as well. It's Piqué that needs replacing. You replace such a crucial player (over the past 10 years) with someone that can fill his shoes. I can easily see de Light doing that but Todibo is a complete unknown. He can turn into the next Varane as claimed (although very doubtful) or he can end up as Marlon. Loaned to some obscure club later to be sold with a small profit. I could actually very well see that happening.

Suárez won't be replaced anytime soon as not in this summer. I highly doubt that. 2020 it is.

EDIT: A little update.

According to MD it looks like the club will sign him early next week. There is talk of a small fee. The player wants to leave Toulouse this month as well. A better option than him rotting at Toulouse and not playing at all. Not sure if he will have much playing time for the first team though and if Valverde is the type of manager to give him playing time (knowing that Valverde has had nothing to do with his arrival, Valverde likely has no clue about Todibo) now with Murillo's arrival. Doubtful.

 

[Joan]

[tw]1081533969915695106[/tw]

Would be quite nice.