Arsenal have finally made the transfer of Riccardo Calafiori official from Bologna. The Gunners paid 50 million euros to get the Italian player. Ready to fix the problems in the team’s back line.
The hunt for Riccardo Calafiori was indeed short, less than a month. Arsenal began to be interested when Calafiori performed impressively with the Italian National Team at Euro 2024, and they immediately moved.
Arsenal are not alone, there are several other clubs who are also interested in recruiting Calafiori. However, Mikel Arteta showed more seriousness and Calafiori himself was interested in joining.
Finally, Monday, July 29, 2024 yesterday, Arsenal officially announced Calafiori’s transfer. The 22-year-old player will wear the number 33 jersey in the Gunners squad.
Calafiori’s career
Calafiori is originally a graduate of the AS Roma academy. He spent around 10 years there, even debuted in 2020 and looked potential.
However, at that time Calafiori’s performance was not enough to impress Jose Mourinho. As a result, Calafiori was loaned to Genoa, then sold permanently to Basel in 2022.
Well, a season later, Calafiori returned to Italy and was recruited by Bologna. He immediately performed impressively there, helping the team finish in fifth place in the final Serie A standings, then getting a ticket to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Calafiori’s increasing performance also made his name enter the Italian National Team’s radar. He also shone at Euro 2024 yesterday, and could even be called the best Italian player.
Calafiori’s Playing Position
Before joining Bologna, Calafiori played as a classic left-back. He has speed and is able to send accurate crosses.
However, Bologna coach Thago Motta saw Calafiori’s greater potential as a center-back. This change in position is what made him get a surge in performance, his game went up several levels.
Calafiori can play as a center-back, either in a three-defender or four-defender formation. And because he is used to playing as a left-back, he has the speed and accuracy of a pass that is very good as a center-back.
Playing in the modern football system, a player like Calafiori is like a gold that is hard to find. He can build attacks from the back, being the initiator of the team’s creativity. No wonder Arsenal fell in love!
Arteta already knows the right position for Calafiori. The Spanish coach admitted that he is ready to play Calafiori as a center-back or left-back.
“Both positions, especially the way we want to play and the way we want to develop our game model,” Arteta said on the club’s official website.
