Following a difficult year, Liverpool supporters are optimistic about the upcoming season. Jurgen Klopp’s summer transfer activity laid the groundwork for the team’s successes, which have so far alluded to a silver-laden crescendo.
Liverpool is two points behind first-place Arsenal in the Premier League as the season approaches the winter break, a period that frequently shapes and sculpts a team’s story. They topped their Europa League group with one game remaining and will host West Ham United in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals later this month.
Only Klopp’s superb midfield overhaul, which eliminated the scourge of last year’s collapse and replaced the engine room with a slicker, louder, and meaner crop of players, has made such achievements feasible.
Alexis Mac Allister has filled in as the deep-lying player since entering in July, so while the Reds would still be prudent to complete the center by adding a specialist little. 6, there’s little indication that this would take precedence in January.
It really should be more important to strengthen the defense, especially with Ibrahima Konate being the only senior center-back committed to a long-term contract since the arrival of the game-changing Virgil van Dijk in January 2018.Transfer news for Liverpool: Jean-Clair TodiboThe Evening Standard reports that a number of Premier League teams, including Liverpool, are keen to recruit OGC Nice star Jean-Clair Todibo in January.
Todibo is one of the best defenders in Ligue 1 this year.The 23-year-old’s situation is reportedly being watched by Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, with both teams giving top priority to strengthening their defense.In the race for the championship, Nice, who are pitted against Paris Saint-Germain, are worth £39 million for the center defender.
Todibo would prefer guarantees regarding playing time, but Liverpool would undoubtedly be keen to bring him in.Jean-Clair Todibo’s playing styleTodibo would bring physicality, technical skill, and a progressive nature to the Liverpool team, making him a perfect fit for Klopp’s approach.
According to FBref, Todibo is among the top 8% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues for passes attempted, the top 18% for progressive passes, the top 7% for successful take-ons, and the top 5% for tackles per 90. Journalist Antonio Mango has referred to Todibo as a “Rolls-Royce” of a center-back.
These statistics confirm his status as one of the best ball-playing defenders in the game, which was ingrained in him following his time as a Barcelona prospect.Furthermore, it is evident from Football Transfers’ list of comparable players that he possesses the qualities required to be successful in England with a premier team like Liverpool.The behemoth who earns £22k a week has improved dramatically over the last several years and is now unquestionably one of Ligue 1’s greatest players. Todibo has been crucial to Les Aiglon’s efforts to challenge PSG this season and have the best defensive record—just four goals conceded in 13 games—as they have the best record.
In the French premier league, Todibo has started 11 games and completed 90% of his passes, made two tackles and 2.8 clearances per game, and won 88% of his dribbles and 62% of his duels. He has been instrumental in this respect, according to Sofascore.
Described by talent scout Jacek Kulig as a true “rock” at the back, Liverpool has to pull off a steal in 2024 to stifle the growth of divisional opponents and discover Joel Matip’s ideal replacement. Matip’s contract is slated to expire at the end of the current campaign.
The ideal successor to Joel Matip is Todibo.The two-cap France international has shown himself in his native country and now seems prepared for a move to England. Although he obviously has options, Matip’s reported departure in June makes him available for acquisition.
Matip, 32, is one of the most unique and eccentric center-halves in Europe and has made 200 appearances for Anfield since coming on a free transfer in 2016.
Matip, who stands six feet five inches tall, is renowned for his quick, cutting runs up the field. His raids through the thirds have earned his Liverpool teammates the moniker “classic Joel dribble” due to his impressive skill.
He ranks in the top 4% of center backs for successful take-ons per ninety and the top 7% for shot-creating actions among center backs.Todibo could definitely adopt this technique, even though it is difficult for defenders to do so given his athletic and dynamic nature, as evidenced by his dribbling and development statistics.
As a result, Klopp needs to move forward to sign the France international, giving him a spot and not depending entirely on Jarell Quansah just yet.Quansah, who came up through the youth levels, has been excellent. He has made ten appearances this season, looking extremely at ease in front of Alisson’s goal, generally. He is definitely being talked about for a major role on Merseyside in the future, but he isn’t ready for that just yet.Todibo, according to Statman Dave, possesses “complete control” over the ball and is an excellent playmaker who draws attention with his passing and ball movement.Like Matip, the 23-year-old is a bit of an unconventional center defender, but he would be a great substitute.
The Cameroonian will surely leave Anfield having been a pillar of support, vital, and dependable during the Klopp period.
Although Quansah is a remarkable talent and appears quite at ease in the rearguard, it might not be advisable to give him a leading role just now because he is still in the early stages of his career.
Todibo’s signing will provide Klopp an instant substitute while letting Quansah continue to develop, which can only improve Liverpool’s prospects of making a run at the top of the European football league. and remaining there.