Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal: 5 midfield transfer targets to watch at Euro 2020

By Ross Kennerley

French midfielder Corentin Tolisso listens to questions during a press conference ahead of a friendly football match against Wales on June 2, as part of the team's preparation for the upcoming 2020 EUFA Euro football tournament, in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines on May 30, 2021. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
French midfielder Corentin Tolisso listens to questions during a press conference ahead of a friendly football match against Wales on June 2, as part of the team's preparation for the upcoming 2020 EUFA Euro football tournament, in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines on May 30, 2021. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Arsenal, Manuel Locatelli
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 17: Manuel Locatelli of US Sassuolo during the Serie A match between Torino FC and US Sassuolo at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on March 17, 2021 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) /

4. Manuel Locatelli

Nation: Italy
Club: Sassuolo
Age: 23
Price: £38m

One need only lay eyes on Italy’s midfield for a couple of minutes to fall hopelessy in love. It is a perfectly balanced cocktail of control, guile, drive and elegance – and Manuel Locatelli is very much a part of that.

With such an embarrassment of riches for Roberto Mancini to choose from, one can hope Locatelli makes a start or two. By now everyone will be familiar with the ins and outs of the 23-year-old, that being that he passes, a lot, and stupidly well.

His passes completed, progressive passes and passes into the final third are all 98th percentile worthy. It’s ridiculous. Whether it’s distribution under pressure, switches, through balls or dead balls, he does all of them immensely well, and often. His defensive stats are just as impressive and a npxG+xA of 0.19 adds to the gloss. Statistician’s dream.

If Arteta wants someone to come in to the side to emulate the qualities Xhaka brought to the party but improve upon them in a significant way then there are no better options out there than Locatelli.

The Italian is still young and balances all the traits the Swiss brought to the party with additional speed of thought and Italian composure. What is of concern, however, is his ability to defend in transition. He doesn’t have the athleticism over 20 yards and while mostly untested in this aspect, it could be a concern in the Premier League.

Got big Serie A club written all over him, right?

Home/Arsenal News