Schalke's Jean-Clair Todibo: "I like facing the best players, like Erling Haaland"
Jean-Clair Todibo has been learning about Bundesliga life since joining Schalke in January, on loan from Barcelona.
The 20-year-old France U20 defender sat down with bundesliga.com to discuss his time in Germany so far, being focused on football and excited to face the likes of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland in his time at the Veltins-Arena.
bundesliga.com: Jean-Clair Todibo, how would you describe yourself as a person?
Jean-Clair Todibo: "A normal boy, friendly, and above all, a footballer."
bundesliga.com: How would you describe yourself as a player?
Todibo: "Difficult question, I don't like selling myself and saying that I'm good at this and that. I'd describe myself as a good footballer."
bundesliga.com: Have you always played as a central defender?
Todibo: "No, I played defensive midfield at the beginning. The first time that I played centre-back was on my professional debut. It was good, it was cool."
bundesliga.com: What do you like most about football?
Todibo: "The supporters, the atmosphere in the stadium. And above all, the enjoyment of it – making a good pass, a good run, and winning."
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bundesliga.com: How are you feeling so far at Schalke since joining the club in January on loan from Barcelona?
Todibo: "Really good. All good. I've settled in well with the team, I feel great. All we're missing at the moment are victories – we're in a somewhat difficult period at present, but it'll come good in time."
bundesliga.com: What do you know about the Revierderby?
Todibo: "I'm not sure, we haven't spoken about the game yet. But I think you have to be aggressive, go out there and fight and make sure to win the game for our supporters because it's one of the most important games of the year. Of course."
bundesliga.com: What do you know about Erling Haaland?
Todibo: "He's a good player, we're of a similar age. He's a finisher, he's enjoyable to watch. That's football. I like facing good players."
Watch: A history of the Revierderby
bundesliga.com: What did you know about Schalke before coming here?
Todibo: "Before arriving here, I didn't know a huge amount. I've been finding out about the history of the club recently. I've learned a lot. I learned more after arriving than I did beforehand. I was shown the grounds, the stadium, the trophies that they've won the cup – it was good."
bundesliga.com: How would you describe Schalke?
Todibo: "A hard-working family, with a lot of love."
bundesliga.com: What makes Schalke so special?
Todibo: "We're very close to our fans. Everyone works hard in training. When you leave to go to training in the morning, you see everyone going to work. It's not the richest of cities, of course. Everyone simply gets on with it. And lots of love. They support and sing for us every single weekend, whether we win or lose – it's incredible."
bundesliga.com: Personally speaking, how pleased have you been with your performances so far?
Todibo: "I think I've been improving bit by bit in the league. There was a moment when I wasn't used to playing week-in week-out. But I've got back into it bit-by-bit, and now it's going well. But if we don't win, I'm never happy."
bundesliga.com: What are your thoughts on the Bundesliga?
Todibo: "I always knew that the Bundesliga was a very good league. And I wasn't proven wrong when I arrived – it's a very good league, very intense and has lots of quality. I like it a lot here."
bundesliga.com: Are you superstitious as a player?
Todibo: "No, I'm not particularly superstitious. I need to listen to music before every match, that's it."
bundesliga.com: Who is your best buddy in the team?
Todibo: "I get on well with all of them, but I'm closest to Amine Harit. We're almost the same age, the same generation. We both come from Paris – we get on well."
bundesliga.com: What is your favourite thing to do away from football?
Todibo: "Not a huge amount, I tend to stay at home. I'm very comfortable in my own home. I relax."
bundesliga.com: Do you enjoy playing PlayStation?
Todibo: "Yes, I play – Call of Duty, FIFA, UFC. A little bit every day, I enjoy myself. Yes, I'm not bad."
bundesliga.com: Who is best at PlayStation in the team?
Todibo: "I don't know, I haven't played much with them. I've only played against Rabbi [Matondo] and I won."
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