Tottenham Hotspur, in hindsight, accomplished a promising first marketing campaign beneath Ange Postecoglou, ending fifth within the Premier League and rediscovering their id after beforehand chucking up the sponge.
Definitely, there’s a lot that may be improved on. Spurs loved a blistering begin to the 2023/24 marketing campaign however ebbed away from that lofty degree as accidents knocked the group off-kilter.
One factor that Tottenham weren’t missing was ambition – contemporary faces rained in on north London and showcased Postecoglou’s burning want to carry his group to the higher echelon of the Premier League, returning to Europe and fostering a unit able to sustaining a place at such a degree.
There was additionally, nonetheless, an excessive amount of flotsam bobbing about, and now that fringe gamers are being moved on, Tottenham can put money into essential depth, with a brand new defender being lined up.
Spurs switch information
In accordance with TuttoMercatoWeb, as relayed by TEAMtalk, Tottenham are one of many golf equipment to have made contact over a deal to signal Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, who’s at present starring for Italy at Euro 2024.
Valued at €40m (roughly £34m) by the Serie A facet, who certified for the Champions League final season, Calafiori has additionally attracted from Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United, with the Blues and the Magpies having additionally been involved with the Italians.
Returning to European competitors later in 2024, Tottenham will want depth and Calafiori boasts the type of dynamic and versatile fashion to make a optimistic affect on Postecoglou’s squad.
Riccardo Calafiori’s season in numbers
Calafiori performed a key half in Bologna’s affluent marketing campaign, ending fifth beneath Thiago Motta (clinching Champions League through coefficient rankings) and stated to have “every thing it takes to turn out to be a revelation in Italy’s defence this summer time” by journalist Zach Lowy.
Certainly, his efforts on the home entrance have turned Luciano Spalletti’s head and earned him a starring place within the Azzurri’s European squad this summer time.
He might need lucklessly scored an personal purpose as Spain defeated Italy 1-0 final day out, however the 22-year-old gained 5 duels, made three clearances, and gained two tackles and interceptions apiece, as per Sofascore, proving himself as one of many higher performers towards rampant opposition after a terrific opening show towards Albania.
|
Riccardo Calafiori: Stats vs Albania |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
# |
|
Minutes performed |
90′ |
|
Touches |
117 |
|
Correct passes |
99/106 (93%) |
|
Key passes |
1 |
|
Lengthy balls |
2/4 |
|
Dribble makes an attempt |
2/2 |
|
Tackles |
1 |
|
Clearances |
3 |
Such modern-tailored tactical qualities have garnered consideration in latest weeks however that is merely an illustration of a year-long success story.
Calafiori saved ten clear sheets from 30 Serie A video games final time period, accomplished 90% of his passes, succeeded in 71% of his aerial battles – he is been described as an “aerial monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson – and gained 1.7 tackles per sport, however he additionally proved himself excellent for a ball-centric, free-flowing system. A system, the truth is, similar to Tottenham’s.
Why Calafiori can be excellent for Ange
Expertise scout Jacek Kulig stated that “Thiago Motta is making a top-class, ball-playing” defender on the finish of the 2023/24 marketing campaign, however on condition that the Brazil-born supervisor has been anointed as Juventus’ new supervisor, it is conceivable that Calafiori can be tempted by a transfer away regardless of Bologna having a seat at Europe’s elite desk.
As per FBref, the £12k-per-week ace ranks among the many high 1% of centre-backs throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous yr for assists, the highest 3% for shot-creating actions, the highest 20% for passes tried, the highest 19% for progressive carries, the highest 8% for profitable take-ons and the highest 4% for interceptions per 90.
He is an all-encompassing type of defender with an aggressive, commanding presence, and given Tottenham’s previous success in bringing such a defender in from Italy, it would simply be price making the transfer.
Most lately, Tottenham signed Radu Dragusin from Genoa for £27m, however the Romanian, whereas extremely versatile, is extra of a no-nonsense defender than Cristian Romero, who melds uber-aggression with immense technical expertise.
It is Romero who Calafiori might emulate in signing for Tottenham, with the Argentinian 2022 World Cup winner transferring from Atalanta for a £42m price in 2021, aged 23 on the time.
Having chalked up 98 appearances for the Lilywhites, scoring eight targets and establishing himself as one in all English soccer’s best centre-halves, with none aside from Lionel Messi hailing him as “one of the best defender on the earth” again in 2023.
Probably a bit of overzealous at occasions, however that doesn’t negate Romero’s staggering power. He ranks among the many high 2% of positional friends throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous yr for targets, the highest 21% for shot-creating actions, the highest 9% for move completion and progressive passes, the highest 20% for progressive carries and the highest 11% for tackles per 90.
The 6 foot 1 titan additionally gained 70% of his aerial duels within the Premier League final season, exhibiting {that a} partnership with Calafiori within the rearguard would supply Tottenham with a exceptional degree of aerial superiority.
Furthermore, each gamers boast high-class attacking qualities, albeit favouring totally different parts of the offensive sport. However that is merely an outline of the kind of participant Spurs would add to the fold, bolstering Postecoglou’s fluid, fast-attacking fashion of play with a defender able to contributing successfully to build-up patterns.
Tottenham have been moulded right into a press-proficient unit beneath the craggy-faced Australian, instilled with a way of power and sharpened with a measure of athletic prowess. Calafiori embodies such traits, extremely recovering 6.5 balls per match within the Italian high flight final yr whereas almost making one dribble each two outings.
This can be a participant who is ideal for Postecoglou’s system. Tottenham have already got a beautiful left-footed centre-back in Micky van de Ven however the Dutchman solely performed 27 league matches as he was tugged again by a hamstring damage.
Calafiori would provide depth and competitors; he would arrive with the air of a participant able to lifting Spurs to heights unseen in a protracted, very long time, and probably repeat the masterclass the membership performed once they snapped Romero up from the Serie A previously.
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Spurs will need to give Postecoglou every thing he must construct a profitable facet this summer time.