Atalanta are trying to beat Juventus to the signing of Matt O’Riley from Celtic and Wayne Girard explains why the Denmark worldwide is the proper prototype of a brand new signing for La Dea.
You’d be forgiven for pondering Atalanta are within the diamond enterprise. It’s an sincere mistake, as yr in and yr out they appear to chop new gems from all corners of the world.
Within the final decade, La Dea have signed waves of obscure gamers, just for them to turn into stars in Serie A. What makes it such a exceptional feat is that the membership have used this strategy not simply to turn into sustainable, however growing right into a powerhouse of European soccer, which has been exemplified by their success in dismantling the undefeated Bayer Leverkusen and profitable the Europa League title (that match wasn’t actually a lot of a sport in any respect).
They’re set to quadruple their cash off of Teun Koopmeiners, who has turn into one of many highest-rated centre-midfielders on this planet and are trying underground as soon as once more for the subsequent chief of their midfield. Atalanta have recognized their goal to fill the void the Dutchman leaves behind in Matt O’Riley. Born and raised in England, the Danish worldwide with the Irish final identify performs in Scotland for Celtic. You will have to learn that a couple of times.
Atalanta are again in for the attacking midfielder after their €15m bid was rejected in the previous couple of days. If their price ticket is met for Koopmeiners, there ought to be slightly drawback for the Bergamo membership to seize their most popular goal.
O’Riley is coming off a monstrous 19-goal season, guiding Celtic as their main aim scorer, profitable the Scottish Premier League title and the Scottish Cup. Ending because the second-highest aim scorer within the SPL, lots of Matt’s objectives are courtesy of his finely tuned left foot.
He’s a participant with excellent anticipation, studying the sport on the pace of sound to make the correct go and open up the pitch. Robust in profitable the ball within the offensive third with a strong dribble, O’Riley delivers set items together with his left foot simply as cool-ly as he hyperlinks development via open play.
Balanced and clever, it will nonetheless take a while for O’Riley to adapt to the Italian sport. Changing Koopmeiners isn’t any small feat, given his 12 objectives, 5 assists, and a plethora of touches—important numbers that Atalanta should make up. One hidden high quality that made him so impactful for Atalanta and their counter-press was his work fee, rating within the ninetieth percentile of attacking midfielders for defensive actions.
The Celtic participant has staggering numbers as chances are high created, and objectives are each within the 98th percentile, however they plummet to only 22% for defensive actions. If his focus is simply on creation, Gian Piero Gasperini might be compelled to shift – and maybe disrupt – the steadiness by assuming extra duty for the opposite midfielders.
But when there ever was a prodigy, it’s this extremely gifted left-footed midfielder. O’Riley, at 23 years of age, is much from the completed product, but when La Dea pursues the hand-cutting, he’ll be one other gemstone upon her tiara.
