Riccardo Calafiori vs Ruben Dias: How the Arsenal Defender Compares to the Manchester City Star
The Gunners have pulled off a major coup by signing Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna. But how does the 22-year-old compare to one of the best central defenders in the Premier League, Ruben Dias of Manchester City?
Calafiori enjoyed an impressive 2023-24 campaign with Bologna, scoring two goals and providing five assists in 30 appearances as his side secured a Champions League spot. While he can play at center-back, left-back, or even on the left wing, his primary position is at center-back.
Dias, on the other hand, has been a stalwart for City since his arrival in 2020. He’s won the Premier League in each of his four seasons at the Etihad, and played a key role in City’s Champions League triumph.
So, how do these two defenders compare when it comes to passing metrics? Dias dominated in this department, completing 94.1% of his attempted passes and making 25.2 forward passes per 90 minutes. Calafiori, by contrast, tallied 89.9% and 21 respectively.
But what about defensive metrics? Here, Calafiori has the edge. The Italian won more of his aerial duels (71.43% vs 52.22%), despite being just one centimeter taller than Dias. He also won more ground duels (3.4 vs 2) per 90 minutes, made more ball recoveries (7.5 vs 3.9), and made more interceptions (2 vs 1.1).
The Verdict
While Dias has the advantage when it comes to ball retention and passing, Calafiori has the edge in terms of defensive metrics. Given the Gunners’ aggressive style of play, Calafiori’s defensive prowess could be a major asset for Arsenal.
Stats Provided by Squawka
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