Why RICCARDO CALAFIORI is Perfect for ARSENAL

Are you wondering why Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori is trending every day? Why is he dubbed the New Maldini? How did he send Italy through to the Euro 2024 last-16? Is he really a top-notch player and was he like that before this summer? And which big clubs in Europe are already chasing Riccardo? Now you will finally find out!
Calafiori vs Croatia
During the match between Italy and Croatia, which determined who would qualify for the last 16 of this year's Euro, centre-back Riccardo Calafiore delivered a spectacular performance!
He won 100% of his aerial duels, completed 93% of his passes, was not dribbled past once in the entire game, created more chances than any other player (4), and also provided the assist for Mattia Zaccagni's winner in the 97th minute of the game after a brilliant solo run!
This goal saved Squadra Azzurra from elimination, with Calafiori having an incredible match! After the final whistle, an exhausted Riccardo fell on the grass and cried with joy, as his efforts helped Italy reach the knockout stages!
"I couldn't even think, I was just so happy. More than anything. It just came out," Calafiori commented on his emotions after the crucial clash.
Now Italian supporters call Riccardo the main man of Gli Azzurri's squad at the ongoing European Championship, but in fact, it was not a one-match wonder and it was not just about one goal!
Calafiori looks by far the best defender at this Euro and here are the things that confirm it!
Calafiori at Euro 2024
Hair, headband, aura - 22-year-old Riccardo Calafiori seems to be a modern version of the legendary Paulo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta! And not only in terms of appearance, but also in terms of his style of play!
Right from Italy's Euro 2024 opener, Calafiori has been performing like a GOAT! In the first-round encounter against Albania, he won 100% of aerial duels, showed 93% pass accuracy, completed 5 recoveries and 3 interceptions, as well as 2/2 dribbles. Experts and static portals awarded Riccardo with the highest rating!
However, in the next match, things turned upside down for him. While facing Spain, Calafiori unsuccessfully diverted the ball into his own net, giving Furia Roja a 0-1 victory over his side.
After that own-goal incident, the haters immediately called Calafiori overrated and he went from Maldini shouts to Harry Maguire shouts in one game. It was unfairly cruel, because, apart from the own goal, Riccardo once again had a great 90-minute display and did not deserve such criticism...
But nobody realized that it was Riccardo's plan - to score an own goal that almost got Italy eliminated just to deliver a crazy assist in the decisive match!
Against Croatia, when Italy's attacking line had not been able to create much of a chance, Calafiori simply picked up the ball in the last minute and said to himself: "Fine, I'll do it myself". And he actually did!
In the post-match interview, the Italian defender explained: "I wanted to make up for my own goal against Spain. I don't know where I found the energy for that last play, but I needed to give something to this Nazionale and I didn't want to end our journey here.
I wanted to give something back after my own goal and I think I did".
So, Calafiori has already had three outstanding performances in three games and that's the reason why you hear about him every day. Although another question is whether he is just as good at the club level!
Calafiori in Serie A
The immediate answer is SÌ! It's not the first time Calafiori has attempted such solo runs with the ball in the opponent's half, as he did against Croatia! In the 2023/24 season, this used to be his favorite technique, so at the Euros we see not a coincidence, but a consistent approach!
By the way, Riccardo Calafiori is a graduate of the AS Roma Academy. In the summer of 2022, he moved to Basel, but returned to Serie A the following season, inking a contract with his current club Bologna.
Believe it or not, Calafiori worked wonders in his first season as a part of his new team! For the first time in 60 years, Thiago Motta's squad made it to the Champions League, while Riccardo himself became one of the best defenders in Serie A and the top 5 European leagues!
Throughout the 23/24 campaign, Calafiori featured in 37 matches, netting 2 goals and registering 5 assists. On average, he had 2.01 interceptions per 90 minutes, 2.4 ball clearances, 1.47 blocks, and the most possession-adjusted interceptions - 8.59.
To this, we should definitely add 1.72 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes and 1.13 progressive carries per 90. Those numbers highlight another of Calafiori's strengths - tactical versatility!
Well, he is equally good with his both feet and can cover several positions at once - left centre-back, right centre-back, left-back, and left midfielder. If necessary, he is always ready to go forward and create an attacking opportunity out of nothing!

[@ThaGamingMisfit]

Mentions all Premier League clubs except Arsenal, renames video why he's perfect for Arsenal after his transfer rumours. I see you.

[@samk2723]

He just had to,,,😂

[@lewissk8982]

If he goes to Arsenal, He would be the LB Ben White by Arteta.

[@Yunit87]

@@lewissk8982 no timber is lb and he will play in the bench

[@abdimohamoud389]

@@Yunit87 bother will share the LB role

[@jasonnwanzi8358]

Don't put pressure on him

[@dantappin6234]

Let's put pressure on him and create a diamond. This guy looks fire. 👌

[@monkeyman6780]

Why is it that all long haired italian defenders are kind of handsome maldini neste and calafiori

[@jerrybnasty5115]

Because you’re gay

[@Yunit87]

You just haven’t meet a Somali defender with long hair

[@olanrewajuolalekan3287]

And also sandro tonali 😅

[@deborahluck539]

There is no heir to the incredible Maldini❤❤❤

[@pk_1]

WELCOME TO ARSENAL!!!!!!!!!!❤❤❤❤🔥🔥🔥🔥🔴🔴🔴🔴

[@AliMohamed-pj1sb]

Artetas man

[@bixxi9626]

Make him an inverted midfielder

[@kmstennysongaming813]

Next Maldini ❤ ,🇮🇹 🔥👍😇

[@metilusyoosly396]

Beleive me if Pep finds him, he'll put him in the midfield right away coz he's the potential.

[@amarecudjoe9501]

Nah its the long hair ( definitely)😂

[@stephensonwhite7963]

The own goal wasn’t his fault… The keeper punched the ball towards him and he couldn’t react

[@virtualcity721]

too soon😔

[@modernsoccer1860]

Everybody is perfect until they get punched 👊 in the mouth, i meant play in the premier league 😂😂😂

[@zoewhajah2816]

Haha tell that to Hazard, Owen who both excelled in the premier league but failed in La liga

[@modernsoccer1860]

@@zoewhajah2816 they were past their primes when they transferred, Hazard was 28 when he joined

[@hanzosiku]

Was he injured for Italys last match.?

[@edoardo5628]

Suspended for 2 yellow card

[@hanzosiku]

@@edoardo5628 oh thanks

[@mikenkeze9582]

i dont know but calafiori to juve seems like a match made in heaven. first the fact that a mentor of his is the new coach of juve and will therefore put all the trust in him will only bode well for his progression. Also English league might be the best league in the world at the moment but you cant take away the fact that the italian league has a knack for spawning some of the best defenders in the past and i just feel the only way he could cement his legacy as an italian great is if he plays in 1 of the biggest clubs in Italy with a rich pedigree of churning italian greats(juve). Moreso he could be a major protagonist in the new revolution of juve as such endearing himself to the italian faithfuls.

[@021ycd_sa]

Nope , his coming to the red carpet COYG❤️🤍🗣️

[@kunFAIZ]

'BIG CLUB IS CHASING' *SHOWING SPUSSY STADIUM HAHAHAHAHHAHA ROFL

[@deborahluck539]

A shame Italy is out 😮😮

[@henryeweama2270]

A blessing in disguise

[@vamosito6515]

😟

[@lordbendtner6404]

His name almost sounds like Ricardo Carvalho

[@kingedgamer6958]

Just 8 views in 3 minutes bro fell off 😆

[@stephensonwhite7963]

21k views now. How do you feel?

[@giraffetrollplayz4714]

Really hyping up a man who scored an own goal in the euros,bruh

[@idkimlost7]

yeah cuz u done better right?

[@blackbird2469]

time will tell

[@BrOoK8414]

So u conclude him based on 1 game? Proper example of S^}}*t for brain.

[@ezragaveh2004]

Every big player makes mistakes. So it’s good his team player and came back stronger

[@emmanuelunique7789]

And now Arsenal will own him 😂

[@lamar_SDW]

Same say he is not even the better defender in Italy

[@zoewhajah2816]

Depends on how you use him, he started as a defendsive left back so adapting in central defence will take time but when it comes to moving the ball out of defence he is probably the best currently

[@AahishShah-ko3qd]

But yamal toyed him 😂

[@jerrybnasty5115]

He’s over hyped cuz of the hair

[@anselmo5104]

​@@jerrybnasty5115Don't forget he's still 22 and still develop. Yamal of course a rare talented kid.

[@9mod9]

@@jerrybnasty5115 He is not.

[@stephensonwhite7963]

Yamal toyed him and didn’t score or even assist, hardly even create anything useful. It was Williams that ran the game

[@stephensonwhite7963]

@@jerrybnasty5115. Just like Van Dijk

[@kevinchan7513]

No KZbinrs talk about his defence skill😅, so is Arsenal buying an attractor but not a defender?

[@hartz9921]

Califiori is good, but he is very over rated. Not to be rude, I don’t think people would pay much attention if he didn’t look like Maldini

[@MikiFeriyanto]

overrated player