Riccardo Calafiori: Italy’s aura defender on everyone’s list

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Bologna FC’s Riccardo Calafiori has capped up a much impressive season at club level with a tournament outing with the Italian national team at the 2024 European Championships.

Calafiori, 22, made his tournament debut against Albania partnering Alessandro Bastoni at the heart of the Azzurri’s defence.

Typically a left back, under Thiago Motta’s vertical style of football, he transitioned into a left sided center back tasked with occasional forward bursts away from his required defensive duties.

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The Italian defender is tasked with leading the build-up responsibilities and getting the team into the next phase of play.

Calafiori helped Bologna to the 3rd best defence in the Serie A across last campaign and a remarkable Champions League qualification spot.

On an individual basis, he scored 2 goals (both against Juventus) and recorded 5 assists. 

He averaged a 90% pass accuracy, 47 headed clearances, 74 clearances and 50 interceptions over the campaign’s length.

Only Torino’s Alessandro Boungiorno had more interceptions on a per game basis than the Bologna defender.

The conclusion of the game raised comparisons with legendary Italian defenders Nesta and Maldini in terms of style and player qualities.

Calafiori began his career in the Roma youth set-up and graduating. Deemed surplus to requirements, he earned a loan move to Genoa before getting sold permanently to Basel in 2022.

Bologna brought him back to the league from Switzerland just after a season away and he looks set to recoup them much more than they acquired him.

The defender is now triggering interest from some of Europe’s top sides and an exit looks increasingly likely should he keep up the impressive performances at the ongoing tournament.

Now one of the hottest prospects in European football, former gaffer Motta who has now taken over the Juventus job will be keen to lure him to Turin as similar to the English clubs coveting his signature.

The defender back in 2022 did express interest in a move to the shores of England commenting “My dream would be to play in the Premier League. I really like West Ham or Chelsea.”