Riccardo Calafiori might have an analogous influence to Ben White at Arsenal, based on Stuart Pearce.
The 22-year-old defender is on the verge of finishing a transfer to the Emirates from Bologna, with Fabrizio Romano confirming on Saturday that he had flown to London along with his brokers to finish a switch.
???? Riccardo Calafiori, on his method to London along with his brokers — all set for medical checks with Arsenal!
Right here Calafiori with Chairman & founding father of WSA Company Alessandro Lucci and CEO Alessio Ceccarelli.
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— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 27, 2024
Calafiori’s arrival is hotly anticipated following his spectacular showings for Italy at Euro 2024 this summer season, whereas final season, he was first amongst his teammates for interceptions (50), aerial duels gained (60), headed clearances (47), and possessions gained within the defensive (107) and center thirds (81) — additionally including a team-high 5 assists and scoring twice to assist Bologna qualify for the Champions League.
Primarily a centre-back, Calafiori can also be able to taking part in as a left-back and presents wonderful bodily and technical attributes to whichever place he takes up.
The Gunners have already got some high-quality centre-back choices in William Saliba, Gabriel and Jurrien Timber, however are comparatively brief at left-back with the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior failing to actually persuade.
And Pearce believes it’s Calafiori’s skill to play at full-back that can see him develop into successful at Arsenal, in an analogous method to Ben White on the alternative flank, who arrived from Brighton as a centre-back for £50m in 2021 (per Sky Sports activities) however has thrived at right-back.
“Ben White managed to be a centre-half who turned him into an attacking full-back and I feel Calafiori is one in all them,” former England defender Pearce advised talkSPORT.
“He’s a type of defenders who’s glad to advance with the ball, which he confirmed on the Euros nicely.
“I don’t suppose he can have an excessive amount of of an issue there.”
Pearce expresses Calafiori concern
One space of concern for Pearce if Calafiori does play at left-back is his skill to defend one-on-one.
With the Premier League boasting elite wingers like Mohamed Salah, Phil Foden and Jarrod Bowen, Calafiori is certain to be examined like by no means earlier than.
“The one drawback he may need is once you’ve received to defend these one-on-one conditions out large,” Pearce added.
“How good is he at that? And that’s the mark of a great full-back.”
