Howe might land his ideal Botman companion in Newcastle’s £34 million “Rolls-Royce”
The bolstering of the backline may be given top priority by the Magpies next.
But manager Eddie Howe will recognize the value of ongoing development. Newcastle United just keep laying the foundation, and it’s becoming more and more obvious that St. James’ Park will host European nights for many years to come.
Although the PIF club takeover gave the Magpies the financial resources to reinforce the team with a number of new players, it was the diligent effort in the transfer market that led to a fourth-place Premier League finish the previous season.
That allowed for the return of Champions League football after a 20-year absence, bringing the league to the forefront of the sport with a stunning ascent that exceeded the anticipated rate of advancement two years prior.
The following season saw the joy of renewed success thanks to the outstanding transfer activity fusing with the Englishman’s tactical vision on the field, with Howe navigating away from relegation danger in 2021/22.
The club’s efforts were focused on the defense in particular, and Newcastle actually finished the Premier League season with the league’s joint-best defense, allowing 33 goals alongside Manchester City.
Sven Botman has served as the team’s backbone and leader in the back, while Fabian Schar has been crucial to Howe’s Tyneside Renaissance.
However, the contract for the 31-year-old Swiss international and captain Jamal Lascelles expires next summer, so it’s becoming obvious where the focus will be when the best course of action is determined.
Who are Newcastle interested in signing?
Emile Smith Rowe, an Arsenal midfielder, has recently been linked to a move to Newcastle. The talented player would surely give the St. James’ Park team new energy and provide a dynamic threat to add another dimension to their offensive attempts.
The Northern Echo reports that the Arsenal star, who was dissatisfied after his last Premier League start came in the season’s penultimate game, is on the Toon hierarchy’s radar this January.
The three-cap England international is most likely to move on loan, and while this is an intriguing prospect for Newcastle, the knowledge that Jean-Clair Todibo is on the club’s radar is even more fascinating.
In fact, according to Spanish sources, the OGC Nice center back
Why are Newcastle interested in Jean-Clair Todibo?
As was already established, Lascelles and Schar are both in their final year of competition in the North East of England. Despite not being a regular starter, Lascelles has been crucial this year because Botman has been sidelined for five games due to injury.
This season, though, Schar has stepped up to fill the Dutchman’s shoes and has been praised for his “magnificent” performances by Craig Hope of the Daily Mail.
The extension of the former Basel player’s contract might come after the recent one-year extension of Callum Wilson’s contract, and the Northern Echo reports that preliminary talks have already begun to reward Schar for his contributions over the past two years under Howe.
Despite this, it would be prudent to strengthen the backline even more, and Todibo, praised as a “Rolls-Royce”
| Jean-Clair Todibo – Most Similar Players | |
|---|---|
| Player | # |
| Gabriel Magalhaes | 1 |
| Eder Militao | 2 |
| Ronald Araujo | 3 |
| Manuel Akanji | 4 |
| Pau Torres | 5 |
| Sourced via Football Transfers | |
After rising through the ranks in Catalonia, the former La Blaugrana prospect was always going to offer passing proficiency. Although he is under contract to his French Ligue 1 team until 2027, the financial package Newcastle is prepared to offer might push a deal over the finish line.
How good is Jean-Clair Todibo?
The Les Aiglons defender has been outstanding so far this season. With abilities that would give the Magpies a genuinely fearsome back line, he has completed 91% of his passes in the French top division, made 8.4 ball recoveries per game, and won 66% of his contested duels.
Botman is an excellent passer, but he plays more cautiously. The £90,000 per week machine is in the bottom 7% of defenders for progressive passes made per 90, keeping the ball crisp with his natural poise and awareness in front of Nick Pope’s goal.
The 23-year-old has been fantastic and has worked so well with Schar, who plays a more creative, fluid game and ranks among the top 5% of positional peers for shot-creating actions per 90, earning praise for his “incredible impact” by pundit Leon Osman since joining Newcastle from French team Lille for £35m in 2022.
With the ideal mix of traits to strengthen the pack and eventually succeed Schar to build a formidable combination with Botman, who may very well stay at St. James’ Park for many years to come, Todibo might be the ideal heir.
The Frenchman is incredibly omnipresent at the back; he is more than at ease with the ball and ready to get involved in the action, steering the game’s flow and direction with his skill with the ball and intelligence in possession.
FBref indicates that he is among the top 18% of center backs in the top five leagues in Europe for pass completion, top 13% for passes attempted, top 17% for progressive passes, top 4% for successful take-ons, and top 6% for tackles per 90 over the past year.
Todibo is the ideal candidate to take Schar’s place at St. James’ Park as the “dream heir,” according to talent scout Jacek Kulig, offering a wide range of skills.
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