2 traits 23-year-old would bring to Leeds United if club strike 2023 summer agreement

Leeds United are interested in signing OGC Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo this summer.

That’s according to Leeds All Over sources, who believe a centre-back from Ligue 1 is on the club’s radar, believed to be the former Barcelona man.

The Whites may dip into the central defensive market again given Diego Llorente‘s move to AS Roma on a loan deal with the view to a permanent move that could land the club some money back on their initial £18m outlay on the Spaniard.

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Initial approaches for the 23-year-old Frenchman appear to have been rebuffed but he is one to watch for the summer. Here, we look at TWO traits he will bring to Leeds should the club strike an agreement in the next transfer window.

Pace

Todibo is mobile and Leeds’ current defensive options lacks pace and athleticism throughout the back four.

This is particularly problematic in a system like Jesse Marsch‘s. The defensive issues have been apparent this season and many are due to the lack of recovery speed when defending in transition.

Todibo would be the quickest centre-back at the club and one of the fastest defenders in general should he sign. His size and mobility will help him to deal with situations which have hampered Leeds this season.

The counter-press often exposes Leeds down the channels and Todibo will help his right full-back out by covering him out wide when needed. He would be a huge injection of quality in this regard and helping improve upon some of the systemic issues surrounding Marsch.

Quality on the ball

Not only would Todibo be one of the best players at the club in general if he signs, he would also be a huge upgrade on all of Leeds’ central defenders in terms of what he is capable of in possession.

The Frenchman is a comfortable on the ball defender who has composure in abundance. There is a reason for Barcelona signing him a few years ago, and it’s because they saw the potential upside in him as a ball player.

This should help Leeds play a higher line with a more press resistant and quicker defence. Overall this improves Marsch’s style of play immensely as it allows the team to press much higher up the pitch without fear of making as many individual errors with the ball once it is won, and with the security of knowing they will be less exposed on the counter with more athletic defenders at their disposal.