"He’s great at driving with the ball" - Rio Ferdinand believes new Arsenal signing will be 'huge benefit' for club
Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand reckons new defender Riccardo Calafiori could be a 'huge' signing for Arsenal. The Italian has arrived at the Emirates this summer from Bologna.
Calafiori, 22, played a key role for the Serie A side qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 60 years (first in the UCL era), helping them finish a creditable fifth.
As per BBC, the Italian - who featured at Euro 2024 - has arrived at the Emirates in a deal worth £42 million. Ferdinand thinks Calafiori has all the attributes to be a success at the club, saying on his YouTube channel (as per TBR):
“The two centre-backs stay the same, but I loved what I saw of him (Calafiori) in the left back area in the short space of time at Euro 2024 for Italy.
“He played under Thiago Motta, who’s a new-age thinking coach. He knows how to play football and how the rotations and systems work. I see him occupying that left-back area and coming into midfield – he’s great at driving with the ball."
Ferdinand concluded:
“The left side has been a weakness or the weaker part of the team and he could change that. That’ll be a huge benefit for Arsenal.”
The Gunners open their Premier League campaign at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (August 17).
"He is a great signing" - Arsenal boss praises new signing Riccardo Calafiori
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has termed his team's newest addition, defender Riccardo Calafiori, as a 'great' signing as he welcomed the player and his family to the club.
The 22-year-old made his Gunners debut in pre-season and is now all set for his competitive debut for Arteta's side - which could happen against Wolves this weekend.
"We welcome Riccardo and his family to Arsenal, " Arteta said about Calafiori (as per the Gunners' website. "He is a great signing and gives us huge strength to reinforce our defence."
“Riccardo is a big personality and character, with specific skills which will make us stronger as we push to win major trophies. He has already shown great development in recent seasons with his performances for both Bologna and Italy, with his progression and development in the past year being really impressive."
Playing his first major international tournament, Calafiori provided the assist for the last-gasp equaliser in the 1-1 group-stage draw with Croatia at Euro 2024, which sent the defending champions through to the knockouts as group runners-up.