The situation of Jean-Clair Todibo was always going to be a weird one. The youngster came to Barcelona from Toulouse, months after having begun his first season of senior-level football. His transfer was brought forward and he had to give up a promising season in Ligue 1.
Since then, what has been going on is sad. Despite giving the impression that they were going to use him, Barcelona didn’t do anything with the 19-year-old. And as the negotiations with AC Milan for a potential transfer go on, it highlights whatever is wrong with the Catalan side. Their transfer recruitment has become wishy-washy and random.
It is a lot like what went on with Yerry Mina. The Colombian came to Barca from Palmeiras in the winter of 2018. But the club didn’t use him too much. As soon as an offer from Everton came in the summer, they let the defender go. They got a profit out of a potential deal and sold the player on. If you like monitoring the transfer market yourself, then you can use this great mobile app from William Hill to find the latest odds on potential moves.
Quite the same happened with Malcom. The Brazilian came from Bordeaux after he seemed set for a move to Roma. He got only 647 minutes of first-team football in the Champions League and La Liga campaigns of last season. This past summer, he was let go to Zenit.
Their hunt for a replacement for Neymar has been very random too. While Ousmane Dembele was a good signing on paper, Barca never took into account his discipline issues. Then came Philippe Coutinho, who has never been a winger. When he came Ernesto Valverde was using him as a right midfielder many times. It shows a lack of planning in itself.
Now that the Brazilian has gone out on loan at Bayern Munich, Barca went for Neymar in the summer. Technically, they wanted to replace the replaced with the man who was to be replaced. That phrase is as confusing as the Catalan club’s transfer policy.
As for Todibo, it has been cruel for him. While a move to Milan will liberate him and his abilities, he probably came to the Nou Camp with dreams. And the club’s planning in the market is snatching it away.
He proved his ability in Barcelona’s recent win over Inter. The Frenchman won eight tackles in total, also winning three aerial duels against a striker against Romelu Lukaku. He showed his ability on the ball by completing two dribbles as well. Apart from that, he made four clearances too.
That was proof that he can hold his own against a tough opposition. He was doing that consistently for Toulouse but never got a proper shout in at Barcelona. But despite that, he is being sold on like it was all his fault. Like he isn’t good enough, when he has shown that he is good enough for Barcelona.
For a player who has made five appearances for the since joining, it is unfair. And that will never reflect well on Barcelona’s name- a club that is known for providing the right environment for youngsters.
This is a club that has had ambitions of winning the Champions League since 2015. But they are failing constantly. And perhaps, the people running the club should take a long and hard look at themselves. What is good for business may not always be good for the club.
