Barcelona loanee talks about the training session at Camp Nou

Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo has joined German club Schalke on a six-month loan. It reportedly includes an option to buy for the German outfit. The 20-year-old Frenchman’s stint at the Catalan club ended in just over a year. For Barcelona, he made just five appearances in all competitions.

Jean Clair-Todibo, Schalke’s most recent signing from Barcelona, has given an interview with a standard sports outlet, Bild in Germany. During the chat, the defender speaks about his ambition and spoke about defending against Lionel Messi during Barcelona training.

Clearly, injuries occur in training sessions and Barcelona made clear that Messi should be protected.

“We all knew that he couldn’t get injured,”

“Messi was defended very carefully in training.

“I learned a lot from Messi and I even tackled him a few times, but I was careful not to hurt him.”

Messi remains the Blaugrana’s most influential player and leader, with very few signs of decline being shown despite the fact he is now approaching his 33rd birthday. He did, however, struggle with a number of niggling injuries at the start of the 2019-20 campaign, and did not get back into his stride until returning to full fitness in October.

Jean Clair-Todibo joined the LaLiga club after impressing with French side Toulouse in Ligue 1. After failing to dislodge either Gerard Pique or fellow French defender Clement Lenglet in Barcelona’s backline, he will try to improve his fortunes in the Bundesliga. Reports in Spain suggest that Schalke paid a fee of €1.5 million to Barcelona for Todibo. The contract also includes an option to buy for €25 million and another €5 million in add-ons.

“I am convinced that we can achieve it because Schalke have fantastic fans. The games against our direct opponents will be decisive like against Bayern now.”

 “I hope to play on Saturday. Thanks to the technical staff and my teammates I am integrating well. I want to play and give everything.”

Lionel Messi and co will be facing the daunting task to play hurting Valencia in the La-Liga fixture. Can Barcelona avenge their previous losses?