AC Milan seem keen to go head to head with Bayer Leverkusen for Jean-Clair Todibo. So much so that they seem almost set to sign the Frenchman. Reports have been circulating about the links for about a week now. A deal with Barcelona now seems close to completion indeed, as per the latest live football bets being placed around the January transfer window.
The reliable Vito Angele from SempreMilan claims that an agreement has been found. He claims that Todibo is all but set to give his ‘okay’ for the move and he is pretty much set to be the Rossoneri’s second signing of the January transfer window.
A move for the youngster will be huge for Milan. Not because of how good the player he. But also because of how it fits their need of the hour. While their lack of creativity in midfield and lack of a proper wide player is also a need, nothing will progress if they can’t sort out their defence.
So far this season, Milan have let in 23 goals so far. That is the ninth-best record in the Serie A and that isn’t too bad a number for a side that is pretty of midtable standard currently. But that takes attention away from how bad Matteo Musacchio has been this season.
The Argentine has 14 appearances to his name, having been sent off in the 3-1 loss to Fiorentina. Playing regularly alongside Alessio Romagnoli, he hasn’t been the best partner that the Italian can have.
But he has been dribbled past 0.7 times per game this season- more than ever in a single league season at the Rossoneri. He has won 0.9 tackles per game only- the lowest of his career too. He is also making only 2.5 clearances per game. That is also the lowest he has ever done at Milan. It all screams of how this has been one of his career’s worst seasons. Milan have been unlucky as well though.
Leo Duarte was brought in the summer to play as a back-up. But the Brazilian is out injured due to an ankle issue and will not feature until April 2020. Mattia Caldara’s injury issues haven’t helped him. He’s had two serious knee injuries in two seasons and he’s slowly getting back to fitness.
The club let go of Cristian Zapata and allowed Ignazio Abate to leave for free too. And considering how bad Musacchio has been, they are falling short of numbers at the back. More than that, they are short of quality to play alongside Romagnoli.
Todibo fulfills both purposes. He comes in with a point to prove. Since joining last January, he has only five appearances to his name. His recent performance against Inter shows that he has a lot to give to Milan.
Last season, Ernesto Valverde recognise his qualities in one of his interviews. He told reporters:
“He has many qualities, his strong tackles, his pace and his youth, he’s making a good impression but it’s one thing to do that in training, and another to do it in matches.”
He was probably the best player on the pitch against Inter. The Frenchman won eight tackles, winning three aerial duels. He also completed two dribbles. It was a definition of how strong a defender Todibo is. He is very aerially and would learn a lot from Romagnoli as well.
The idea of a potential move to Milan is to get regular football. With Duarte injured, he will get it. And if he does well, he could well be ahead of Musacchio in the pecking order very soon.
Milan do have some other issues. But if they keep conceding goals, nothing will move forward. That is why Todibo is the right move. It allows them the foundation to get a central midfielder and a winger.
