It should come as no surprise how impressive Jean Clair Todibo has looked in his two Premier League starts for West Ham. The defender was once lauded as the best young centre-back in European football, earning himself a move to Barcelona, where he had the world at his feet.
The rest, as they say, is history. Todibo moved from Toulouse as one of French football’s rising stars but faced disappointment at the Catalan giants, leading to loan spells at Schalke, Benfica, and Nice. Eventually, in the summer of 2021, Nice made his move permanent for €16 million, where he fully repaired his damaged reputation.
Todibo has impressed for West Ham and put his Barca nightmare behind him
Barca never gave Todibo a chance
Todibo has lifted the lid on his time at Barça, revealing that he struggled to connect with his teammates. Indeed, the player who has performed so well for the Hammers that he has collected back-to-back man-of-the-match honours cut an isolated and lonely figure at Barcelona. He credited Éric Abidal, the club’s technical secretary at the time and a fellow Frenchman, as the only one who took any interest in his situation and helped him adjust to life in La Liga.
“I arrived unprepared and without support. They told me I’d be Piqué’s successor, but I barely got any opportunities. I played five matches, performed well, but no one communicated with me. I just wanted to play. Abidal was the only one who spoke to me,” Todibo reflected.
The revelation is incredible given the size and scope of the club he was joining as a 20-year-old. The defender made only four appearances in total for Barcelona before being loaned to Bundesliga club Schalke 04 until the end of the season, with a buy option for €25 million.
The value of the clause surely indicated that Barça knew the potential of the player they had at their disposal, which makes it all the more remarkable he was left to fend for himself.
Anyway, Barça’s loss is most definitely West Ham’s gain, and if he continues as well as he has started, the Hammers have a brilliant player on their hands.
so many big clubs treat some plauers like total dirt, and we are no exception. Vlasic is the best example recently, along with Maxi Cornet. “hey, come to West Ham! family club, you’ll love it…getting splinters in yer arse, i mean”.
really hope Toddi is a man that won’t be happening to. i thought he was MOM on the weekend. so far, so good. COYI ⚒
You’ve got love that Tim Steidten haven’t you Gonzo. 😂
I think we’ve hit upon a rock at the back to pair superbly with the incredible Kilman. This pairing should be the cornersone of a solid backline foundation. This is coming together nicely.
Big ups to Herr Steidten for his marvelous talent aquisition. He is the best signing in the last two years!!! Do not lose him, it would be disastrous!!!!!
COYI
Thanks for an indepth investigation, so much more interesting than the superficial stuff that has been served up recently.