‘He thought he was already a phenomenon’ – why Todibo failed at Barcelona

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 1 min read

The agent who brought Jean-Clair Todibo to Barcelona has hit out at his former client, saying the Frenchman’s poor attitude is why he failed at Camp Nou.

The 21-year-old Todibo was labelled as one of Europe’s most exciting young defenders when he signed for Barcelona from Toulouse in January 2019.

However, he failed to make the grade at Camp Nou, making just four appearances in a year before being loaned to Schalke with an option to buy.

But the German club decided against buying him permanently, leading to Todibo being sent away again to Benfica on a two-year loan.

The centre back has again failed to break into the Benfica team, who are willing to end his loan after just six months.

“We’re happy with the work we did to bring him to Barcelona, but now I no longer take care of his interests,” Bruno Satin said.

“He’s a difficult character. He never listened to the advice of Eric Abidal, the sporting director of Barcelona.

“The club believed in him, but Todibo thought he was already a phenomenon.

“That’s why his adventure in La Liga didn’t go well. He has great qualities, but he lacks humility.”

Todibo is being heavily linked to Lazio and Parma in Serie A and Saint-Etienne and Nice in Ligue 1 as he attempts to get his career back on track.