Arsenal We will complete a €50m (£42.1m) transfer for Bologna star Riccardo Calafiori.
also Italy International appeared as Mikel ArtetaMain this summer, after your great performance in Euro 2024.
Empora is an impressive young defender, and some players may have been surprised to see the Gunners spend so much, especially given that buying a new striker and central midfielder was seen as a top priority.
This big money move also comes just one year after Calafiori joined Bologna for just £3.5m. So why did Arsenal decide to sign him?
In Calafiore Street I am now
Calafiori spent a decade in Roma's academy and survived the Joel injury that ended his career before making his first-team debut in 2020, where he immediately shone – providing an assist and scoring a goal (disallowed) in a 3-3 draw. Victory 1 vs. Juventus.
It's not enough to impress. Jose Mourinho However, he was loaned out to Genoa before being sold at the end of Basel in 2022.
After just one season, he returned to Italy, like Bologna, where he played an important role in the progress achieved to fifth place in the table and in the qualification for the Champions League, with his performances and became the “elito jugador do mi” of the series A em maio.
Likewise, the 22-year-old was called up for the first time to the Italian national team, and despite his lack of experience at international level, he was a starter in all of the group stage matches. Euro 2024.
Despite the unfortunate goal against eventual winners Spain, they needed the attention and assist in the final against Croatia, but it was a thrill that they did not face the final stages against Switzerland, where Italy completely collapsed and lost 2-0.
What position does Calafiore play?
Before Bologna, Calafiori was a traditional left-back, with great pace and good crossing ability.
But under Thiago Motta he has been repurposed as a defender, able to operate in three or four defences, where his speed, strength and height cause problems for opponents.
His impressive passing range and ability to start attacks has been praised, with some comparing the player to talented defenders Paolo Maldini and Sergio Ramos.
According to schoolTwo defenders in Serie A played at least 10 games last season, Calafiori ranked second in recoveries with a 90% (7.5), fifth in interceptions with a 90% (1.9), fourth in assists (5) and no passes with a 90% (68.6).
It is worth noting that Bologna won 16 matches and lost only three matches in the tournament in which the youngster played. In contrast, he won only two matches and lost three matches, which Oito lost.
How will Arsenal line up against Calafiori?
As mentioned, some are surprised by Arteta's failure to prioritise defensive signings, given that Arsenal conceded fewer goals in the Premier League last season (29) and had fewer expected goals per game in Europe's top five leagues (28.4).
The defensive duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are strong, and although Calafiori is an excellent backup to the latter, he will operate primarily as a left-back.
This is potentially risky, given that he played 96% of six minutes as a defender at Bologna, but under Arteta he will not operate as a traditional full-back.
As he gains possession, he will move into midfield, joining Declan Rice and another defender, which in turn will allow Martin Odegaard to move up the pitch and support the attack, and he will return to his initial position in defence.
What will replace it?
Calafiore will compete with Jurrien Timber on the left side, more like Takehiro Tomiyasu injuredThe Dutchman will also be needed to cover Ben White at right-back, meaning the Italian is likely to get several minutes at the start of the season.
His name certainly means the work of Jacob Kiwior, which he has not been able to understand since moving to the Emirates 18 months ago. He will have the ticket to Inter de Mellau.
Kieran Tierney is also exceeding the requirements, but he will not leave north London without giving up, as the Scottish star recovers from injury. The contracted Coxa will not be at Euro 2024.
Oleksandr Zinchenko looked set to be Arsenal's first-choice left-back after a brilliant season, but his form has dipped in recent years. Your future is not here, mother Last change of agent Indicates that he might be interested in transferring.
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