Jean-Clair Todibo – The Empire of The Kop

Keen on EPL move: Liverpool face added competition for £39m powerhouse enjoying incredible streak

Liam Togher — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 10:06:38 +0000

Liverpool are set to face added competition for one reported transfer target in the January transfer window.

According to the Evening Standard, Tottenham have joined the Reds and Manchester United in the race to sign Jean-Clair Todibo, who’s believed to be available for approximately £39m.

The centre-back has been an integral presence for Nice, who are challenging Paris Saint-Germain at the Ligue 1 summit this season; and while he’s ‘keen to move to the Premier League’, he wants assurances that he’d be a regular starter at any club he joins, having broken into the senior France side ahead of Euro 2024.

Todibo is currently in the midst of an extraordinary streak which has seen him go seven matches without conceding a single goal, a sequence stretching back to when Nice defeated PSG 3-2 on 15 September (Transfermarkt).

In fact, Francesco Farioli’s side haven’t conceded in eight matches, extending that formidable run by beating Liverpool’s Europa League group stage opponents Toulouse last weekend, with Les Aiglons shipping a miserly four goals in the French top flight all season.

The 23-year-old has been at the heart of their unexpected title challenge, ranking as their best-rated performer according to WhoScored metrics and boasting the squad’s second highest match averages for aerial duels won (1.6), tackles (two), clearances (2.8) and interceptions (1.4).

Todibo has very much put his abortive spell at Barcelona behind him, becoming the bedrock of a teak-tough Nice outfit.

FBref‘s similar players model likens him to a certain Ibrahima Konate, and the irony is that the 6 foot 3 powerhouse could well displace his international teammate in the Liverpool backline were he to arrive at Anfield.

The 23-year-old has been imperious of late, and it’s no surprise that several Premier League clubs have him in their sights. The Reds’ hierarchy will be acutely aware that it’ll take a very appetising proposal if they’re to see off the competition for the defender’s signature.

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The left-footed centre-backs Liverpool should consider signing, according to ChatGPT

Farrell Keeling — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:23:33 +0000

We’re at the midway point in November and already the transfer rumour mill has begun to creak back into life ahead of the January transfer window.

You’ve seen the likes of Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly to Sao Paulo’s Lucas Beraldo linked with a switch to Anfield amid Liverpool’s ongoing search for a left-footed centre-back.

In an attempt to build a potential list of feasible options, we at Empire of the Kop turned to ChatGPT for answers.

Following several attempts to regenerate answers to the same question (and find appropriate answers that met, or came close to meeting, the parameters) we came across the following list of footballers that (sort of) fit the bill for left-footed centre-backs under the age of 24:

1) Jean-Clair Todibo (23) (right-footed, sorry ChatGPT, but we’ll consider)

2) Perr Schuurs (23) (right-footed, sorry ChatGPT, but we’ll consider as a long-linked target)

3) Dan-Axel Zagadou (24)

4) Strahinja Pavlovic (22)

As a potential successor to Virgil van Dijk, a few key traits worth bearing in mind are:

Positioning (difficult to statistically represent, though it explains why the Dutchman makes so few tackles, registering in the 19th percentile compared to his centre-back peers, according to FBref)
Aerial dominance
Leadership capabilities
Strong passer

A look at the competition

Due to the limited data available for Pavlovic, we considered Schuurs, Zagadou and Todibo in direct comparison with our skipper.

The latter of the trio was, perhaps, more closely comparable to the Dutchman as far as his creative capabilities are concerned (78th percentile for shot-creating actions), proving an accomplished passer of the ball. However, the total lack of aerial prowess (15th percentile) will no doubt raise eyebrows amongst Liverpool’s data merchants.

Jean-Clair Todibo’s Nice currently sit second in the Ligue 1 table – (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)

Van Dijk’s Dutch counterpart in Torino likewise appears a reliable passer of the ball, though his limited number of passes per game is perhaps more of a reflection of his side’s style of play than an indication of limitations.

That said, Schuurs is surprisingly poor in the air (38th percentile for aerials won) despite being a sizeable 6’3″.

Dan-Axel Zagadou’s stats are perhaps the most intriguing of the lot. The 6’5″ Stuttgart defender is an aerial monster (with a capital ‘M’), surpassing our No.4 by registering in the 99th percentile for aerials won (4.61 per 90 compared to Van Dijk’s 3.99).

Of major concern, however, is the 24-year-old’s passing capabilities, the Frenchman attempts plenty of passes per game (93rd percentile) but has a completion rate of 85.6% per 90 (56th percentile). Likewise, we’d have some concerns over whether the player could replicate our Dutch colossus’ creative prowess (ranking in 34th percentile for shot-creating actions).

Who should Liverpool keep a close eye on?

We should stress that links to Dan-Axel Zagadou have been rather limited beyond 2022, following the centre-back’s switch away from Borussia Dortmund.

Though at 24 years of age (we’re pushing it with “young” here), one might wonder whether the former Signal Iduna Park operator would be the best fit – or even be open to the prospect of far less regular minutes at Anfield. Regardless, he’s arguably the standout pick of the aforementioned bunch.

Able to play both as a left-sided centre-back and as a backup left-back (a position he’s filled on 12 occasions, according to Transfermarkt), the Frenchman would solve more than one problem for Jurgen Klopp’s men.

It didn’t work out for Dan-Axel Zagadou at Borussia Dortmund – (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

That said, a series of injury struggles and niggles has seen Zagadou’s spend an inordinate amount of time in the treatment room, sending his value plummeting through the floor.

The Stuttgart man missed only seven games in 2022/23 and six the season prior, however – a distinct improvement on 47 games missed in 2020/21 for Dortmund.

It’s one potential gamble too far, perhaps, in light of the current issues Liverpool are having to deal with when it comes to Ibrahima Konate’s seesawing fitness.

This article has partly relied on information supplied by AI chatbot ChatGPT, which has been verified after use.

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Liverpool could potentially use Thuram to try and lure £26m centre-back target – report

Liam Togher — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 14:12:38 +0000

Judging by recent reports, Liverpool and Manchester United could go head-to-head in a battle to sign a coveted French defender.

Nice-Matin have claimed (via GFFN) that Jurgen Klopp’s side are targeting a move for Jean-Clair Todibo, who’s believed to have been scouted by the Old Trafford club (Ben Jacobs for CaughtOffside), with a potential face-off ensuing between the two northwestern rivals.

The Nice centre-back – whose asking price is thought to be €30m (£26m) – isn’t the only player from the Ligue 1 outfit who the Reds are chasing, with transfer talks ongoing with his teammate Khephren Thuram (Football Insider).

If a deal gets done for the France under-21 midfielder, Liverpool could potentially try to use him as an agent of sorts to see if he can entice his clubmate and compatriot to replicate his transfer route this summer.

Todibo’s stock may have fallen after his short-lived spell at Barcelona at the turn of the decade, but he’s rebuilt his reputation at Nice, for whom he was their second-most used outfield player last season as he exceeded the 4,000-minute mark (Transfermarkt).

He was clearly a much-trusted figure in the French Riviera, and he also earned huge plaudits from one-time World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthaus, who said during a loan spell at Schalke 04 in 2020: “Todibo is the best centre back I’ve seen in a long time” (Tribuna).

The main concerns regarding a potential move for him are that he has never played on either flank, unlike some of Liverpool’s other defensive targets, while his right-footedness matches rather than complements Klopp’s existing centre-back options.

The Reds manager may feel it’s more imperative to instead bring in a versatile defender who could offer a left-footed central option, although the prospect of seeing him join United instead may disgust the Anfield hierarchy.

If LFC get Thuram through the door before long, he may be the perfect candidate to provide a trusted character reference on his current teammate.

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Liverpool interested in ‘incredibly calm’ defender; he was once sent off after 9 seconds – report

Liam Togher — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 06:53:55 +0000

According to reports from France, Liverpool are interested in a potential move for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo.

L’Equipe reported that the Reds are among several Premier League clubs, along with a couple from Italy, showing an interest in the 23-year-old.

An asking price of €30m (£26.5m) could see him depart the Allianz Riviera, although Les Aiglons would hope to secure at least €40m (£35.4m) for him.

Although Todibo’s contract runs until 2027, he’s believed to be carefully considering the most ideal project for him next season.

The 6 foot 2 defender was once described by Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus as ‘the best centre back I’ve seen in a long time’ and ‘incredibly calm’ (Sport), although a standout incident from earlier this season would appear to conflict with the latter description.

When Nice played Angers last September, there were only nine seconds on the clock when the Frenchman was sent off for a professional foul, which is thought to be the quickest dismissal in Ligue 1 in the 21st century (One Football).

That’s one of three red cards Todibo has been shown during the current campaign (Transfermarkt), so discipline does seem to be a worrying issue with him. By comparison, Liverpool as a squad have only had one sending off in the entirety of 2022/23 (Transfermarkt).

Despite that tendency for early baths, though, the 23-year-old has a fine tackling record overall, ranking among the top 8% of centre-backs in Europe’s five main leagues for that metric over the past year (FBref).

He’s also adept at taking on opponents, featuring in the 97th percentile for successful dribbles among players in his position.

At his best he seems elegant, but at his worst he can be quite irascible. Perhaps Liverpool are optimistic that his disciplinary issues could recede with time, with his evident qualities in both winning and advancing with the ball instead coming to the fore.

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Liverpool in Bosman battle with Borussia Dortmund for DMC

Biscan's Boots — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 11:55:29 +0000

Liverpool are being linked with a move for a prodigal young central defender, who’s equally adept in holding midfield.

Toulouse youngster Jean-Clair Todibo has yet to extend his contract, so we’d be allowed to offer him a deal come January 1 – which if the Frenchman theoretically signed – would confirm his transfer in the summer of 2019.

Because he’s under 23 though, we’d have to pay a fee decided by a tribunal.

According to Tuttosport, translated by Sport Witness, Liverpool are in the running for Todibo’s signature, along with a number of European clubs such as Lyon, Borussia Dortmund and Rb Leipzig.

In Ligue 1, Todibo has made ten appearances this term, which is exceptional for someone who only turns 19 this Christmas.

He’s a fearsome tackler, but is mostly renowned for his ability to dribble the ball out from the back – like an even younger Joe Gomez – perhaps!

If we were to sign Todibo, we’d hope he was loaned out immediately, as his first-team chances would be very limited, considering Dejan Lovren can’t get in the team right now and Joel Matip rarely makes the bench.