Why is Calafiori Arsenal's main transfer target?
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- Опубліковано 7 сер 2024
- Welcome to The Athletic FC's UA-cam channel, where best-in-class journalism meets video.
Riccardo Calafiori has caught the eye of Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar as they look to bolster their defence. But why do Arsenal want the Italian defender? What's so special about him and how would he fit into the North London side?
Joe Devine, JJ Bull and Jon Mackenzie are joined by David Ornstein to find out why Calafiori is Arsenal's main transfer target.
Read The Athletic's Transfer DealSheet:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/5619...
#arsenal #premierleague #euro2024
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Chapters:
00:00 Why is Calafiori Arsenal's main transfer target?
00:36 David Ornstein's One to Watch
01:59 Who is Riccardo Calafiori?
05:58 Why are ball-carrying centre-backs so special?
10:04 What are Calafiori's downsides?
12:38 Another left-sided defender for Arsenal?
15:42 Players that need to leave?
17:00 Arsenal's Transfer Strategy
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Additional footage sourced from AP Newsroom - Спорт
Should it go through, what would you give this signing out of 10 and why? 🤔👇
8
Seriously, who knows. Did we expect the performance we see now from White and Saliba when they were signed ? Or Gabriel. It might take a season or two to really know. The build up play may change with Timber starting on the right with Califiori on left - either could move into a pivot role in build up with their passing ability. White was once a midfielder - what he does on the right wing with Saka is not replicated on the left with Martineli. I think this signing foxes that problem and gets Martinelli scoring goals again - can Califiorni replicate that Xhaka role during build up play.
Apols for spelling. I blame autocorrect
Calafiori was the victim of an intentional leg breaker by a guy called Svoboda. You can't call someone "injury prone" because they've been intentionally injured, Every player is prone to having their legs broken by bad tackles.
"Injury prone" are players like Darren "sick note" Anderton or Pedro Nero who plays 10 games a season...
@@jc6087Partey fits in that list too!😒
Surely a ball carrying centre back would get penalised for handball. Seems like Arteta isn't thinking this one through.
Obviously he's going to do it when the referee isn't looking
Gabriel got away with that against Bayern, so it could all be part of a big plan
He'll blow him and the cameras a kiss which makes the referee and VAR room blush so they'll miss it.
This is football not handegg.
😂😂😂
Joe Devine has never uttered a sentence which sounded sincere
😂😂 it’s so true, I find myself laughing at sentences that should not be funny at all, its like he’s channeling all the suppressed jokes into the tone of his voice lol
lol He's just there to set them up
Yeeeeeeeeeees
To be honest, it's really getting on my nerves. It goes as far as me really often considering not listenening to some podcasts of them that really interest me topicwise.. Comes off so extraordinarily blazé @@Kawiatube
That's just him being British 😅
The search for a left footed player who's good at carrying the ball to back up Saka is getting crazy.
Should be Martinelli
Should have signed Olise.
@@vahabbayanihis wage would have been too high for his worth. I’m a Utd fan even though I really wanted him he would have disrupted the wage structure that they’re trying to introduce to the club.
I don’t know what way arsenal are tho but I’d guess ur not overpaying as many players as Utd
😂
@@vahabbayani Why would he agree to be Saka's backup?
Really love this type of video not just an analysis on the player but on how he fits, the ramifications of his arrival and the other problems and things linked to it and the club. Hope we get more like this
If you watch our games last season there were so many games where the opposition team was clearly targeting our LB weakness, like Bayen, Villa, Spurs, Liverpool, and more. I guess that's one of Arteta's priority.
Yep, kiwior is the only liability when arsenal did the 2024 amazing run where they scored so much, and it shows
@@theopratama9047 Some will say Timber will be back, but what if one of the back 4 gets injured? Is out of form? Needs rest? Honestly I think Calafiori is a really good signing for Arsenal.
Except I don’t think Calafiori fixes that most of those time we were up against fast tricky wingers, one of Cala cons is his lack of recovery pace and front footed-ness
@@DonHbankz That's true, but I still think he'd be better than Zinny and Kiwior
@@DonHbankzmaybe Arteta wants to change tactics and go for 3 centre backs with them sometimes doing runs that surprise the opposition. I certaing think most of the other players could adapt to something like that. Especially with jorginho dropping hack to help the defense
those kind of players have been important for their teams. I am thinking of Laporte, or Ake, or even gvardiol when he used to play as cb.
This would be the Ben white version for martinelli
Riccardo Calafiori is Arteta's answer to what Bayern and Porto tactically did to them in UCL last season. Where they both basically just allowed Arsenal space down the left wing or left half space because they knew Arsenal didn't have the quality to build up from deep an effective attack on that side as they can on the right. Calafiori also helps solve the problem of breaking down a low block by being more direct.
Yeah he's the happy middle ground of a Kiwior and Zinchenko while being better than both defensively
Surprised JJ said he's 38.5 years old. You lot strikes me as 24 year olds, fresh out of uni, recently moved back in with mum and dad, reach for the bong first thing in the morning.
when I first heard about Arsenal's interest for Calafiori, I was a bit skeptical because I haven't heard of him aside from the Euro, so I thought it was just a mere hype. But thanks to you guys analysis that if he really can carry the ball forward to break down the lines, that would be superb, I can only imagine what that might bring especially on the half-spaces & final third. Exciting!
Obvs youtube compilations have a lot of issues... but my god its rare I've been so impressed by someone after watching the clips of them.
He looks like a COMPLETE defender.
beware the bologna tax, i think motta could’ve made a lot of these players better than they actually are, zerkzee im looking at you
@@FootballAndSuch amen to that!
@@celtic69 yeah my only concern is his injury records, but i've read that some post suggesting that it was due the rapid growth? so the muscles in a costant development & tend to affect its overall durability, but i dont know if that's valid or not
@@celtic69He's going from Motta tax to Arteta tax he will be fine. Arteta made Havertz look borderline world class when he switched to striker
these guys would be great on a podcast together where they can crack jokes and discuss the weekends football!
The Athletic already has the best Arsenal Podcast out there. Ian Stone, Amy Lawrence and Adrian Clarke et al! Check them out
In relation to Jon's point about 'cycles of challenging' I think the difference is its a young squad challenging as opposed to liverpool who had players in their prime challenging. With young players challenging at age 22 you get a good amount of years out or them challenging at the very top. Great video.
"i think they call that everywhere" lmao 10/10
Calafiori looks like Arteta’s idea of a left back who can invert and receive the ball with back to goal.
If arteta can improve the squad by 1% he will.
Invert? You mean tuck in or come inside, surely. How does one invert themself?
@@kunimitsune177this is called making arguments for argument's sake.
@@kunimitsune177 what rock have you been under? - it’s called “inverting” in football.
@@kunimitsune177”Inverted full back” who tucks in to the midfield
I don't like what they are suggesting at the end. It's not a matter of there are tactical problems but are constantly trying to improve even by the smallest margins. Even Real who seem perfect added Mbappe when it doesn't necessarily look necessary
Yeah I think signings are more individualistic than most people think, Arteta likes a certain profile, both tactical and personal, and this guy apparently fits, so he’s brought in to raise the floor that little bit. There’s two sides to every coin of course but if it were all about tactics then wouldn’t we be looking for another physically dominant striker after Sesko resigned with Leipzig? No, I think players dictate tactics a lot more than people realize
Great video!
The chair of this is bloody hilarious 😂😂
i am waiting video for a while ❤️❤️
great video. thanks guys.
Amazing content… in depth analysis. Good work gents.
Just because he's the first transfer doesn't make him the main target it's just how the dealings worked out
Also acl injuries take another year after recovery to be fully fit mentally and physically do timber may nor play well at the start of the season
Also remember when we signed havertz or raya those felt extremely questionable but trusting arteta showed us he was right to sign them all along, whatever happens this transfer window trust arteta
Yeah it is kind of weird that LB has been so significant though....and still no striker...
@@therealking6202 If you watch our games last season there were so many games where the opposition team was clearly targeting our LB weakness, like Bayen, Villa, Spurs, Liverpool, and more. I guess that's Arteta's priority.
@@therealking6202 Weird is not having an international passport in 2024...
love this content
I am enthusiastic about the potential acquisition of Riccardo Calafiori. His deployment as a left-back could significantly bolster our defensive solidity and enhance our attacking options.
Historically, some of our most critical defeats have resulted from vulnerabilities on the left flank. Since Granit Xhaka's departure, our offensive output on that side has also diminished considerably. Jakub Kiwior, who was intended to be an upgrade over Oleksandr Zinchenko, lacks the attacking impetus required for a modern fullback, being more suited to a traditional center-back role.
Calafiori, with his balanced defensive and offensive capabilities, presents a promising solution to the issues we have faced on the left flank.
Nevertheless, there is a potential concern. Mikel Arteta has a preference for versatile players who can perform in multiple roles. While this adaptability is commendable, it has led to some challenges. For instance, the integration of Declan Rice, capable of playing both as a number 6 and a number 8, has yet to result in a clearly defined role within the squad. Similar issues have arisen with other versatile players, leading to excessive experimentation and a lack of positional certainty.
It is crucial that Calafiori's versatility does not become another source of tactical inconsistency. The preseason should serve as the testing ground for such experiments to ensure a more stable and effective deployment during the competitive season.
I agree, although a preseason of 8 to 10 matches, encourages the players & coaching staff, to take risks & try out new ideas.
The current length of preseason, does not allow for much creativity & innovation, with Arsenal playing 6 games max.
Stop using ChatGPT to write comments 🤡😂
@@seedinho What should these man do?
that's a chatgpt comment if I ever seen one
listening to this on second monitor while playing a game, briefly glanced over and absentmindedly thought something along the lines of "hmm, i wonder what synths theyre using??" never questioned it, never asked myself why.
2:51 He likes to pass the ball
great point about Arteta solving problems that create new ones that aren’t as bad as the original problem. This transfer in particular I think is ok bcuz it raises the floor of the team, provides cover in a very important position (LCB) and the player is young with huge potential. Would still like to see Arsenal get a more natural LB to cover wingers that may give us problems and give us a different option of attack. Great vid per usual!
great point about Arteta solving problems that create new ones and he still wins nothing - Genius!
@@RichardStone-xk2px well tbf he has gotten Arsenal closer to winning a major prize then we have been in over a decade, that to me means something. He’s not done yet as manager of the club so a trophy could still be in the cards 🤞🏾COYG!
It is interesting that everybody thought Rice would play 6 and Harvartz would play 8 at the start of the season, yet Rice ended up playing 8 and Harvartz was pushed up to 9. Last season didn't really go as Artate planned, but the result was still pretty good.
I believe they call that everywhere. @3:58 😁
Arteta be like, “MOAR DEFEDRRRRRR”
now I really need to know when is JJ's birthday to find out whether we were born the exact same day
Poor Jurian Timber. Arsenal fans are eagerly looking forward to seeing him fit.
He looked so good in the few minutes he played!
@@Electricdreams21 All 61 of them he played last season - world class!
@@RichardStone-xk2px I put a tenner on him being top scorer. Luckily got my money back
@@Electricdreams21 What did you spend it on? A box of crayons or a rose for your loving goat?
@@RichardStone-xk2px I put it on Sterling to be top scorer at the Euros 🤞
nice rant from jon at the end
He’s not our main target, he’s just the one they seem to have got done first. We won’t sign attacking reinforcements until we clear out ESR, Nketiah and Nelson
He is not the main target he is a target that they got who many wanted calm down
Nope they signed him first, that means he was top priority don’t you know 🙄
I wonder if Timber can take a DM role?
They have Kiwior, Tierney & Zinchenko - sure one of them was going anyway, so does this mean they'd sell two left backs?
Never forget Kiwior getting burned by Sane in the CL. I firmly believe single plays like that ruin Artetas trust. (Also think Zinchenko and TAA, think Mari and Lukaku, and think Timber and his ACL.... None of those players have been the same since...Arteta's been let down by these players).
Tierney unfortunately always injured and Zinny just isn’t a left back, I like Kiwior but the Italian is a step up from what I’ve seen at the euros
Yes Tierney is 100% getting sold even if we don't sign Calafiori and if we do sign him one lf Zinchenko or Kiwior will most likely be going as well. Lots of sales Arsenal are looking to make this window
@@therealking6202 And never forget septic to keep the receipt and read the small print when buying teeth whitening kits online
Tierney was always going. His main problem is that he's injured yet again.
0:35 "Points Are Bad" dial-tone? 💀
someone noticed lets goooooooooooooo 🎉🎉🎉
Martinelli dropoff last season due to lack of service from LHS.
I think with timber and calafiori fit and available, they solved that problem.
Seem to have forgotten that Zinchenko and Tomiyasu, the current squad left backs have had very poor injury records.
I have the first three seconds of this video set as my phone alarm
Does this transfer fee like a vote of no confidence in Timber’s recovery?
Calafori is a Libero or an Italian verision of John Stones now is his intelligence next level or as good as John Stones is another thing
Some of those defenders are gonna become wingers, midfilders arteta is great with youngsters ben white is so underrated , could definitely play cdm or even an 8 love this versatile thing arteta has done with the squad
Why can’t kiwior stay as backup for big gabi and offload like tierney and zinny, calafiori and tomiyasu are more than enough i think for left back. Timber and white for right back.
Bring back the pod!
Mackenzie is too prone to praise Pep and what he has done. Pep has unlimited money to spend and Arteta has to deal with him with his hands tied.
"hands tied"?? Mikel has spent a LOT of money mate! Lol...I do agree City is a bottomless pit and doped to hell...but let's not act like Arsenal has been spending like they're Sheffield United lol
Yeah idk about that comparison, but in general I do think John is a bit prone to incorporating Guardiola into everything
@@trinigooner8865
1. He never said Mikel hasn't spent a lot of money.
2. He never said Arsenal is spending like Sheffield.
3. City has spent a lot more than Arsenal, it's not even close, this is a fact.
4. Pep inherinted better squad than Arteta when he joined City.
Football clubs with highest net spending since summer 2008 to May 2024 :
City : €1,596M [1st place]
Arsenal : €926M [5th place]
@@theq1621 I know all that...but the point is we've still spent a LOT of money! We just bought Rice for an ENGLISH RECORD ffs! Lol...I just don't think whining about "money spent" is something we should still be arguing at this point
Why is Joe Devine sounding so posh! ( Or some one trying that accent ). Reminds me of the Key and Peele skit about local customs.
They are back boys
I’d argue all centre backs are ball carrying in the men’s game 🤭
Maguire left the chat
I agree with JJ bull on needing a bit of star dust in the team. Arsenal squad is full of tidy players but now they need players to really make the difference and take them over the finishing line.
I also think they need to get rid of Zinchenko who’s unreliable and injury prone at best.
we need a top striker and a midfielder, sale Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior, Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah then we will big trophys
Great podcast!
I dare anyone to say the first 4 seconds of this video three times fast
I don't know why it hasn't been mentioned that our problem at the LB position is that they are all injury prone players as well. Tierney, zinchenko, tomiyasu are all injury prone😂. That's also big part of the reason we have had to keep buying defenders. And I really don't understand criticising Arsenal for trying to solve their tactical problems by constantly buying players, Jon wouldn't have criticised Pep when he spent €100m on another defender. (On top of their treble squad😂)
I suppose the £90m Pep spent on Gavrdiol last summer was just great tactics again! 😂
Quality player but a CM and a forward are way more of a priority as we have 3/4 players who can play at LB.
The order of transfers isn’t indicative of their prioritization, simple concept
Where'd John get the maradona sweatshirt? Anyone know the brand?
Would love to know also
'sweatshirt'?🤢🤦🏻♂️
It's a jumper pal. Find a club closer to home ffs
@@aaronmayer7643 I screen print them check out bornagainprints footy section loads of stuff on there Jon wears
bornagainprints check them out I hand screen print a few of the sweats Jon wears
It’s neither tweaking or correction. Looks to me like Arteta is looking at a complete left -hand rebuild in defence, mid and attack.
I do like Tierney by the way, better than Zinchenko in my opinion. But Calafiori or Timber are better options for Arteta’s idea of progression from the back.
Transfer strategy: Remember Arteta really hated Lisandro Martinez at that Left side of defence. This didn't work out cos Zinchenko was a back up plan. Timber was a decent option but got injured in his first game. It could be argued that Arteta is still looking for a perfect fit in that position
As an italian...let me tell you, i will be shocked if in his first season he is going to make that much of a difference, Prem fans, stop saying that Serie A/italian players are not good when you keep overpaying our young players that have not yet proved themselves.
I think this guy will help push Martinelli into the box more when Calafiori is playing at left back . We’re wasting Martinelli too wide , he is not the best 1v1 winger , he is better at finishing. Him in and around the box his goal numbers will definitely go up.
I miss the podcast so much 😢
If he sells for a figure, that is the true market value.
It is clear to see, LB is the only position which is not solidified in our defence.
I'm waiting this video for a while🎉🙏
I thought we should be recruiting a right centre back to complement saliba as we are short there and have in abundance the left footed centre backs. .
Riccardo Calafiori will definitely be an Arsenal player.
He is naturally a centre back, but he can be a left full back.
My fellow Arsenal fans,shouldn't worry. He will join us.
cause he’s got aura I hear
I think Arteta probably push Zinchenko in the midfield. Zinny weakness is Defense.
That makes Kiwior & Calafiori on LB. Calafiori can play as CB which a sub to Gabriel incase any injury or Kiwi as CB.
I miss your tifo videos
These 3 guys combine football nous with relaxed style and great chemistry. Delightful.
“Is Artea going to be more like Klopp, or more like Guardiola?” That question may haunt you longer than “you’ll never win anything with kids” hung round Hansen.
These guys are talking like Arteta bought a lot of players to play LB when in fact it's just 2 and 1 of them is Tavares. Also Zinchenko was playing with an injury last season that's why Kiwior came in for those few games.
While he is exciting. He does leave a hole in the back. I would not play him against good counter attacking sides or transitional teams. Good player but a gamble.
City have Ake who always seems to lock down Saka & most attackers
We need the same in a LB who is just as strong for stronger opposition
This is where the 1% 5% 10% improvements come from
Why does the host talk like that?
All of his comedic chaos has been locked up by the parameters of the Athletic’s professionalism, so he channels it all into the tone of his voice. An echo of an older era of conversational freedom and many laughs. May the Tifo Football Podcast rest in peace 😔🙏
White - Timber
Saliba - Tomiyasu
Gabriel - Kiwior
Caleflori - Zinchenko
I don’t feel like he’ll be playing CB I foresee him playing left back. Similar to how we transitioned Ben white to the right
Calafiori is the ball progressor double pivot Rice needs to play along side...
First time watch from 🇿🇦SA, love the show. 🙏🏼
If he won’t start he can give much needed rest time for Gabriel and Timber. This should be the way. The bench should be strong enough to start ahead of players playing. Kiwior we can get $20 mil Zinchenko not good against top 4 sides.
FM 2025 new feature -> New role for centerback -> roaming playmaker
Waiting and Waiting
Hes good
Ricardo Carvalhori
Next Ricky c for me
Not a bad compliment
Middle guy is unbearable to watch and listen to. Stop interjecting with your overly forced chumminess, how irritating.
26:10 “we can talk about the money-side all we want…” yes we can. And we Should. The argument that follows is whether Artera will be like Klopp and challenge in cycles, or more consistent like Pep.
Well. To be consistent like Pep, you have to break the rules allegedly 115 times. Mind you, it’s the very own League that they play in that has charged them. Pep has been able to buy a player for £50-100m and try them out for 1 season, then buy their replacement the next season if it doesn’t work out. On multiple positions.
Sure, he’s probably one of the best coaches/managers in the world. But we will never be able to fairly judge him considering the referee scandals in Spain and the financial fraud in England.
Is he though? In what basis are you making the claim that he's our MAIN target? Absolutely talking out of your arses.
Wait Robbie lost some weight.. Good ish man
Beautiful head of hair too 😉
I don’t see why Kiwior or Zinny need to go. We are moving on Cedric, Tavares and Tierney this season.
Zinny is a defensive liability. If anything he should be put in midfield
Its surprising to me that John hasnt cottoned onto this yet. Arteta isnt buying players to play positions, he is buying profiles to get into the team.
I never heard Arteta say he bought Rice as a 6 and even when he has made that kind of distinction, when he said he bought Havertz as a midfielder, he rowed back on that saying players often demonstrate to him where they'd like to play even if they dont know it. Its been the same with Ben White, Trossard, Tomiyasu, Xhaka and others all of whom demonstrated attributes that are useful in the team but not necessarily in the positions they were playing. Calafiori will be the same, yes he'll cover at LCB but he'll be a replacement for Kiwior that can play like Zinchenko.
I never heard Arteta say "it feels great to win the EPL" either but hey ho..
@@user-tr9kw7jz3zhe definitely said this at ManCity but “hey ho”
He definitely brought in Rice to play as a 6. Jorgino is old, Partay is injury prone and has been the target of law enforcement investigations. And he brought in Havertz to play that left sided 8 position where Xhaka was playing. He said some BS after it turns out these roles aren't best suited for them, just like the BS he was spewing about the GK situation.
@@cboyz20he buys players that can change role depending on the phase of game and situations. That's how the game is now
@@cboyz20 I think his overall main point still stands. Every single recent transfer were profiles that outlined players who could play multiple positions, did have a preferred position to begin with yes, but the point is that they could be flexible. All good teams who have a clear transfer strategy do this.
Does Arteta think that Kiwior cant take on the challenge?
Typo with “P. Vieira” (unless that was a joke 🤦🏾♂️)
No it was a mistake, sorry about that.
Curious where this signing would leave Timber.
Gotta say, for all the good work and knowledge between you 3, it's interesting that you managed to water down arsenals transfers down to 'they're trying to problem solve by going into the market'... well yeah, that's what every club does? Why is it a risk for Arsenal but not for anyone else? We have luxury of going back into the market, didn't see complaints when city do this, at least from a 'squad building perspective'. You also fail to acknowledge that a lot of what's happened at left back is due to injuries we have had there. It feels a bit disingenuous, especially as the LB market in general isn't great.
Managers and clubs are constantly problem solving, that's literally their job. The game doesn't wait for even the best teams; do you honestly believe this pep side plays the same as his first iteration? Come on now
How many times is “solve problems with the transfer market” said in a 27 minute video
Have Joe Devine and Klamer ever been seen in the same room at the same time?
Arsenal's transfer strategy seems to be ... "Who can we sign to drop our xGA to 4 goals a season and our control to 99%." It is sensible, it's helped them a lot (as it should for the net spend)... but it's getting incredibly tedious. I have gone from liking the approach to being woefully bored of it as a neutral. Play timber and get a striker for god sake... or the football gods that be will punish you for timidity with another 2nd place.
It’s called depth. Injuries are inevitable.
I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone who’d call Arsenal “timid” lol, just because the signings aren’t flashy attackers doesn’t mean that Arsenal isn’t going to put their best attacking foot forward. You complain now but there wasn’t a club in the world which wouldn’t trade their CB partnership for ours last season, signing defensive depth to shore them up is as necessary as a Saka backup or the unnecessary striker signing everyone’s been yammering about since Sesko resigned
Couldn’t agree more. We played breathtaking stuff under Wenger but now we’re playing some of the most boring football I’ve seen in years. Great teams have a defined style and force other teams to adapt, it’s weaker teams that constantly adapt to the opposition. We play like the latter sadly.
@@Chostax their depth in defence is better than their depth in strikers.
@@Flash4ML they are spending aggressively and have for years, but it is uninspiring. It may work, they may win a UCL under Arteta I've seen much weirder stuff happen and I think he's doing a great job. But when you have the best defence in the league and are having teams struggling to even get a shot off, big spends on positions that already have immense players in defence, when you are clearly missing a striker who's lethal is uninspiring. I didn't say it doesn't or wouldn't work.
If Only there was a shorter Name for the ball carrying centre Back...Something that Points Out the degree of freedom in a Player, that can defend and also participate in attacks. Maybe IT should be an Italien term, cause of the Flair and Style to pronounce. Maybe arteta will come Up with one? 😅