Five goals conceded in fourteen games. Or what is the same, a goal received every 252 minutes. Despite the narrow defeat against Nanteshe Nice It is the only team that makes the team tremble PSG in the League 1. The Côte d’Azur team is only four points behind the Parisians and a large part of the candidacy of those from Francisco farioli to fight for the league he relies on defense, in which a Jean-Claire Todibo much more mature than in his stage in Barça.
Surely, many culés have the Frenchman more in mind because he can leave a good amount of money in the club’s coffers (20% of his possible sale) than because of his football, but the truth is that several European greats such as manchester united or the Tottenham They go after him.
Until last Saturday, the Nice He had gone eight games without conceding a goal and all this would not be understood without the plan he has designed Francesco Farioliwho at 34 years old, represents the great threat of the PSG this season. In fact, Parisians have already noticed the danger, since the Nice is the only team that has managed to defeat them so far in the league (2-3 in their visit to Princes Park).
In the Italian’s idea, the center backs gain a lot of importance, and Jean Clair Todibonext to the experienced dante, has benefited greatly from it. Last season, also with the Brazilian as his squire, he showed a more notable maturation process under the orders of Christophe Galtier. However, this year it is beginning to meet the high expectations it had years ago and, backed by Eric AbidalThey explained their signing for the Barça.
Todibo, key player in Nice / @OGCNice
RETURN TO FRANCE MORE ‘DONE’
Despite not quite exploding during his time in Barçawhere he left on loan heading to the Schalke 04 and to Benficahe Nice saw the opportunity to bring him back to France in 2021, first on loan, then with a permanent purchase. He began to grow with GaltierDante is providing him with all the ‘craft’ and ‘head’ that he has lacked on several occasions, and farioli It is giving it continuity and the ideal setting to continue standing out. Twelve games played in League 1twelve starts averaging 88 minutes per duel.
Todibo, during an action in the Ligue 1 match against Nantes / Agencies
todibo He has improved a lot in decision-making, one of the most determining conditions for success in the elite. He takes fewer risks (this season he has not made a mistake that led to a dangerous shot from the rival team), manages the time better to get his foot in (one yellow in twelve games) and chooses well when to be aggressive and look for the interception (it is the second player who has intercepted the most balls in the Nice so far this season, sixteen) and when to hold the line and wait for the teammates to retreat.
Beside dante (40 years), todibo He has the clear role of being the proactive center of the couple. By age, and by physical conditions. The Frenchman is the one who leaves the line to cut off rival attacks, he is not afraid to ‘undress’ and lose position a little. With a good stride, even when he is at a disadvantage compared to the attacker, he is able to correct his position, gain meters and end up winning the duel. With an imposing defender in the open field like him, the team can afford to raise the pressure line.
In defense, forceful and expeditious, asserting his 1.90 meters tall. He recovers almost eight balls per match, he is dribbled less than once per game, he has won 19 of the 29 aerial duels he has played and he is the player who records the most clearances in the game. Nice (40).
FINO IN THE PASS AND PROTAGONIST WITH THE BALL
But the importance of todibo in it Nice It is not measured only by defensive actions. Next to dante, is the first distributor of the game. Constantly seek to transfer the ball to the team’s best-footed players in interior areas, with vertical passes that break lines of pressure, or open the field so that the team progresses along the lanes.
Todibo – Dante, a blessing for Nice / @OGCNice
todibo He is the third footballer in the League 1 who has completed the most passes (997), with a success rate of 90.6%, and the third player who touches the ball the most times in the competition (1,224). He does not burn the ball, he assumes the responsibility of laying the first stone in the construction of the attack, and he does not hide in his task of creating play for his teammates.
He arrived at Nice with a market value of 12 million euros. Now, according to ‘Transfermarkt’, it is already valued at 30 million euros. His improvement did not go unnoticed either. Didier Deschamps, which gave him the opportunity to debut with the national team on September 12 against Germany. Scam 23 yearsa more palpable maturity and very good physical conditions, todibo draws the attention of big teams, and the Barça smile.
