With Riccardo Calafiori’s big-money transfer to Arsenal anticipated to be accomplished quickly, Wayne Girard argues that the Italian can now become an all-round centre-back and be the catalyst in getting the Azzurri again to World Cup qualification.
An audacious left-footed volley off of a set-piece put Roma up 2-1 over Younger Boys within the 2020-21 Europa League group stage. The strike was one among elite expertise, however No.61 was a comparatively unknown defender from the Primavera often called Riccardo Calafiori. There’d been a little bit of a buzz surrounding him from those that knew the interior workings of Trigoria as he confirmed nice capabilities within the youth sector.
But this wasn’t the primary time the teen had scored a purpose of such nature. Initially of that season, he was given a shocking begin—{and professional} debut—towards Juventus in August, scoring a really related purpose (though it was incorrectly dominated offside). Calafiori even drew the penalty that began Roma’s 1-3 comeback win.
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It was, in fact, too early to deem him ‘Italy’s new Maldini,’ however he appeared destined to grow to be an important wing-back, with a eager capability to learn the sport and nice ball anticipation at such an early age. The defining second in his profession got here not in Rome although, and even Thiago Motta’s Bologna, however throughout a switch overseas with Basel that will derail this linear route on the flank.
In the direction of the top of the 2022-23 season, he had a chat with interim supervisor Heiko Vogel, who advised the Italian that if he needed to maximise his profession, he wanted to maneuver centrally as he lacked the tempo to be a wing-back on the highest stage. Upon a transfer again to Italy, this choice would show to be fortuitous, as Calafiori then co-led assists for centre-backs in Europe’s prime 5 leagues the next season, and was the spearhead of Bologna’s defence with essentially the most aerial duels and interceptions received on the workforce.
These statistics are enlightening, however with a significant transfer to Arsenal, it is going to be troublesome to get time within the Gunners’ central roles. Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, have matched one another 79 occasions over the previous two seasons, whereas Gabriel and Ben White are greater than competent depth. It’s not precisely an space they’re in want of, as Mikel Arteta’s aspect conceded simply 29 occasions within the league.
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But when he’s re-slotted onto the left, which is the place he can have the best likelihood of gaining minutes, he’ll return to worldwide responsibility at a higher calibre. Calafiori is adept at breaking the strains from centre positions, crossing, and making these bursting runs like we noticed as he manufactured Italy’s Euro 2024 draw towards Croatia, which inserts completely into the Spaniard tactician’s possession-based, adventurous soccer.
If the centre-backs anchor the defence and supply Calafiori higher liberty in taking house, Arteta may have a hybrid participant to disrupt opponents’ methods and blocks. May this be the transfer that lastly will get him the English Premier League title?
However it’s not nearly offence. He must develop defensively as a left-back, studying the sport in a unique method than when taking part in centralised. If his earlier coach noticed pace as a weak spot, he must mature in positional consciousness within the quickest league in soccer. If Arteta decides on three centre-backs, he can have an ace up his sleeve in Calafiori, whose distinctive talent set has made him definitely worth the flying price ticket.
The 2026 World Cup is on the horizon, and Italy have did not qualify for the earlier two editions. If the Azzurri are to get up from this nightmare, Calafiori’s steerage as a wonderfully versatile defender shall be the catalyst.
