Barcelona: Todibo could be moved into midfield to accommodate De Ligt

Barcelona need to be adventurous when it comes to the squad next season

Barcelona are preparing for a summer of big changes, with the final removal of the deadwood in the squad and some exciting new additions. But risks will need to taken in order to accommodate some of the high-profile signings.

Jean-Clair Todibo recently made his debut for the first-team in the final of the Copa de Catalunya against Girona. He was taken off for Chumi, but he got off to a good start. Curiously, Ernesto Valverde fielded him as a defensive midfielder.

This could be a signal regarding the future of Todibo. The 19-year old French centre-back was initially brought in to secure the future of the defence, but the club is very interested in signing Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax.

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Thomas Vermaelen and Jeison Murillo will be leaving the club at the end of the season, but Todibo would still have to compete with potential new signing De Ligt for playing time. That is a battle that he can never win, and he could possibly adapt to a midfield role.

Of course, his performance in pre-season will determine his importance (or lack thereof) in Valverde’s plan for next season. But the Basque coach is very impressed with the starlet in training, and wants more involvement for the Frenchman.

So, if Barça do bring in De Ligt in the upcoming summer transfer window, Todibo will probably be moved into midfield. He would be backup to Sergio Busquets, while De Ligt would try to compete with newly minted club legend Gerard Piqué for minutes.