If 2019 felt like the year when Jean Clair Todibo ‘made it’ at the top level of European football, the events of 2020 represent a massive step backwards for a man Barcelona snapped up after just ten first-team appearances at Toulouse
Todibo, after all, was part of the Schalke team which collapsed so horrifically in the second half of last season. But another loan spell, this time with Benfica, is somehow shaping up to be even more disastrous.
At least the 20-year-old Frenchman got on the pitch for Schalke – albeit just ten times.
Two months after joining Benfica, Todibo is yet to make a single appearance, largely due to a litany of fitness problems. You won’t be surprised to learn, then, that the Lisbon giants are not planning to trigger the sizeable purchase option in the centre-back’s contract any time soon.
Record claim that Benfica are already planning to cut Todibo’s season-long deal short when the January window opens. And manager Jorge Jesus did little to quell the raging speculation, in quotes reported by Sport.
“Todibo won’t play against Standard (in tonight’s final Europa League group-stage fixture),” the always-outspoken Jesus explained in typically bullish fashion.
“He doesn’t have the physical or the tactical conditions. He’s not worked with the team. He’s not one of the players I am thinking of.”
It is fair to say Everton have a mixed track record when it comes to signing Barcelona bench-warmers.
While Lucas Digne has blossomed into arguably the most influential left-back in the Premier League – though Merseyside rival Andy Robertson will have something to say about that – Andre Gomes and Yerry Mina have struggled to live up to their substantial price-tags.
Sport claimed in May that Everton made a £20 million offer for Todibo.
A Wolverhampton Wanderers side who tried and failed to land the youngster in 2019 made an approach of their own before the October transfer deadline (Mundo Deportivo).
Their loss, however, is Benfica’s problem.
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