Forget Barcelona’s Jean-Clair Todibo, Everton has an alternative to their centre back issues
Everton has been linked to Jean-Clair Todibo of Barcelona but Everton has an in-house option in the form of Jean-Philippe Gbamin to solve their centre back issues.
Injuries to Jarrad Branthwaite and Mason Holgate have forced Everton to shift their attention to signing a centre back in the transfer market. Branthwaite suffered a torn ligament in the game against Salford City whereas Holgate suffered a toe injury in the pre-season. The Toffees are looking at options in the market and the name of Jean-Clair Todibo of Barcelona has gained a lot of attention.
Barcelona centre back Jean-Clair Todibo is aiming to move to another club and has already communicated his desire to leave the club after getting no assurances from Ronald Koeman over playing time. The Catalans are hopeful of getting €15 million which can be invested in signing Eric Garcia from Manchester City.
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According to Liverpool Echo, Jean-Clair Todibo is on Ancelotti’s short list and he wants to bring the Frenchman to Goodison. However, if the Royal Blues remain patient they may not need to necessarily sign a centre back. They have an in-house alternative in form of Jean-Philippe Gbamin.
The Gabon international is almost as fresh as a new signing after enduring the worst possible start to his Everton career, plagued by injuries. Gbamin is recovering from Achilles tendon injury and will be fit by the October-November window, as per Liverpool Echo.
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Jean-Philippe Gbamin is a defensive midfielder but has played as a centre back during his Mainz 05 days. If Everton remains patient and continue with Yerry Mina and Michael Keane till October and hope no other defender falls prey to injury, the Toffees will be able to save money and put it in some other department.
The mid of Allan, Andre Gomes and Abdoulaye Doucoure looks very stable and solid and tinkering the midfield to accommodate Gbamin won’t be something that Ancelotti will prefer. Branthwaite will be fit in a month and Gbamin will be ready by October.
Once Holgate, Branthwaite are fit, Everton will have Keane, Mina, Holgate and Branthwaite as traditional CB’s. Jean-Philippe Gbamin can play as a centre back and will get more game time in that position than midfield.
In the midfield, all the three players have different roles and they complement each other really well. There’s no point in disturbing the equation there. Allan does the defensive duties, Doucoure is the box to box guy and Gomes brings technical brilliance to the midfield. To bring Gbamin in the midfield means they’ll have to sacrifice on one player the special trait he bring to the table.
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Jean-Clair Todibo is no doubt a central defender with loads of potential but when you can find an alternative from the squad itself who is adept enough then why to go and spend that money in the market.