Riccardo Calafiori: What Can He Provide to Arsenal’s Defense?
Club: Bologna
Nationality: Italy
Position: CB, LB
Preferred Foot: Left
Height: 6’2”/188cm
Age: 22
Strengths: ball-carrying, aerial duels, physicality, anticipation, passing, front-footed defending, dynamism, wide-channel defending
Areas for Development: Experience
It has been a sensational year for Riccardo Calafiori. Having left Basel for Bologna on summer deadline day, Calafiori has emerged as a revelation in central defense and played a vital role in their first Champions League qualification in six decades. He won the Serie A Player of the Month for May 2024, he was one of the few Italy players who did themselves proud in the recent Euros, and at 22, he’s only going to get better.
Born in Rome, Calafiori spent 12 years at Roma’s academy before testing his skills on loan at Genoa and making the move to Basel on a permanent deal in 2022. After one year in Switzerland, he returned to Italy, where he thrived under Thiago Motta, earning a nomination for the best defender of the Serie A season alongside Juventus’ Gleison Bremer and Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni.
Calafiori is a smooth ball-carrier who drives up field with so much power and excellent ball manipulation. His close control when carrying helps him beat many players, and he shields the ball well to retain possession. Despite being a center back, he often takes control of the game and drive his team up the pitch, creating from deep, passing through the lines, taking shots from distance and carrying the ball up the pitch.
When Italy looked headed for a group stage exit, he drove up the field and fashioned out a last-second equalizer against Croatia in the recent Euros. Similarly to John Stones, he’s capable of pushing into midfield and finding a free man in central areas. Calafiori has been a part of Motta’s solid defence, excelling alongside both Jhon Lucumí and Sam Beukema in the backline.
Moreover, Calafiori is a quality front-footed defender, capable of anticipating passes to the opposing striker and pushing up to intercept or put pressure on the attacker. His aggression in this area sometimes results in fouls, but he often wins the ball. Calafiori reads the game exceptionally well, capable of thinking one step ahead of his opponent and closing down the space before the striker can turn and run in behind.
Alternatively, if a long ball is played to the striker, Calafiori will impose himself in the air. At 6’2″, the Italian defender has a great leap and is capable of winning headers in either box, boasting an aerial duel success rate of 70.8% (top 7% among center backs). It’s hard to beat him defensively: he can dominate in the air, he can read the pass and intercept, and if the ball is played out wide, he will hold his own in the wide channels.
With 1.89 interceptions per 90 (top 8%) and 7.55 ball recoveries per 90 (top 5%), it’s clear that he can step up and make the difference with crucial interventions. On the ball, he’s technically gifted and capable of turning on the ball and creating passing options, whilst he can also break the lines effectively with his passing and dribbling.
Despite being a forward-thinking passer with a high volume of passes attempted (65.10 per 90), Calafiori has completed 89.2% of his passes, completing 76.6% of his long balls (top 5%) and attempting 5.38 per 90. With experience at left back, he thrives at defending the wide channels. In 1v1 situations, he will jockey his opponent and close any crossing or take-on angle, keeping his hands behind his back and avoiding going to ground.
Calafiori’s profile is perfect for the left back / left-sided center back hybrid role where the left back will move centrally in possession to form a back three. A progressive defender, his ball-carrying, passing ability and wide defending come to the fore in this role. Having struggled for opportunities under José Mourinho, he’s found a new lease on life under Thiago Motta.
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It’s been one year since Bologna signed him for €4 million, and they look set to cash in on him for a sizable profit. Arsenal are reportedly close to signing him for €40 million plus €5 million in add-ons whilst also giving Bologna a sell-on clause. As for Basel, they look set to receive half of the fee. After Motta (Juventus) and Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United), yet another key figure in Bologna’s dream season will head out the exit door.
As for Calafiori, he looks set to become the fifth Italian to join Arsenal after Arturo Lupoli, Emiliano Viviano, Vito Mannone and Jorginho. Having bounced around from Roma to Genoa to Basel to Bologna, he’ll be looking to find some stability in North London and cement his status as a vital figure in defense under Mikel Arteta.
By: Ben Mattinson / @Ben_Mattinson_
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Alessandro Sabattini / Getty Images