Riccardo Calafiori looks set to sign for Arsenal. Arsenal is on the verge of securing Riccardo Calafiori, beating out top European giants like Juventus, Liverpool, and Real Madrid.
The highly coveted defender is poised to sign a deal at Emirates Stadium, bolstering Arsenal’s already formidable defense.
As his move to Arsenal nears official confirmation, here’s what every Arsenal fan needs to know about Riccardo Calafiori.
What are his key strengths?
Calafiori is precisely the type of center-back Mikel Arteta admires.
His skillful dribble and assist for Mattia Zaccagni’s late winner against Croatia at Euro 2024 highlight his exceptional ball-handling abilities.
During the 2023/24 season, the 22-year-old completed nearly 90% of his over 1,600 attempted passes, with many being progressive.
According to FBref, he averaged 21 progressive passes per game.
The Italian international excels out of possession as well.
Last season, only five defenders made more interceptions than this proactive center-back.
His 7.5 ball recoveries per game also stood out.
Being 6’2″, left-footed, and versatile enough to play as a left-back or center-back adds to his appeal.
What are his potential weaknesses?
Honestly, there are very few. But If we had to identify a weakness, it would be that Calafiori’s aggressive approach to the game can occasionally leave him out of position.
He did make the fifth-most errors leading to opposition shots on target in Serie A last season, though that figure was just three, which isn’t too concerning.
How has Calafiori fared at Bologna so far?
In his first season with Bologna, Calafiori played a key role in helping the club reach the Champions League for the first time in 50 years. It’s clear that the center-back made a significant impact in Tuscany.
Calafiori was pivotal in Thiago Motta’s bold tactical approach last season, frequently tasked with advancing his team up the field.
His exceptional performance earned him a starting spot at Euro 2024, a Serie A Player of the Month award in May, and a high-profile move to Arsenal.
Which footballer does he most resemble?
If you’ve been on X recently, you’ve probably seen comparisons between Calafiori and every Italian defender from the early 2000s, mainly due to his hairstyle.
Football-wise, there’s some merit to the comparisons. While Calafiori isn’t at Paolo Maldini’s level—arguably the greatest defender ever—he does share some traits. His quality on and off the ball, left-footedness, and versatility as both a left-back and center-back echo Maldini’s style.
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