Arsenal Defender Riccardo Calafiori Talks About Life in England
Riccardo Calafiori, the Italian Arsenal defender, opens up about his experiences living in London and playing in the Premier League. From missing the Italian sunshine to exploring fashion and sharing a special bond with his childhood friends, Calafiori provides insight into his life off the pitch.
The Arsenal defender talks about life in England.Riccardo Calafiori talks about his life in England. The Italian Arsenal defender said in an interview with SportWeek, the weekly magazine available on newsstands on Saturday alongside *La Gazzetta dello Sport*: "Life in London is good, although when you’re playing every three days you don’t really get to enjoy it. The city has so much to offer, but when it comes to England as a whole, it’s a different story: London is London, but the rest…"."What I miss most about Italy is the sun, more than anything else. I’d like to see friends and family more often, but I’m not complaining. And then in Italy we’re used to observing, judging and criticising: I like that it’s not like that here. I like exploring fashion. I go to vintage markets to find unknown brands and unique pieces; it helps me switch off.""I’ve always dreamed of playing in the Premier League. After Bologna, I could have gone to a big Italian club (Juventus, ed.). However, once the Euros were over, my transfer value went up and WSA, the agency run by my agent Alessandro Lucci, explained to me that Arsenal really wanted me. I knew I’d be joining the toughest league, but I told myself I could always take a step back. And let’s be honest: Arsenal is Arsenal, an iconic team, unlike any other.”"Bove and I live in the same block of flats. Arsenal and Watford’s training grounds are right next to each other, so Edo looked for a place to live in the same area as me. I think it’s fate: a life together in Roma’s youth teams, now neighbours in London. A few days ago I gave him a hug and felt his subcutaneous defibrillator – it felt a bit odd. But he’s calm and raring to take on the world; I’m happy for him.”"Did we go to Wimbledon last year to say hello to Cobolli? The three of us played together in Roma’s youth teams. I was a left-back, Cobolli was on the right. Edoardo kept in touch with him even after Flavio decided to focus exclusively on tennis, and last year he’d practically become part of his coaching staff. We’ve known each other since we were children; it was really lovely to catch up."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Life in London and Balancing Football
Riccardo Calafiori sheds light on his life in London, emphasizing the fast-paced nature of football which often limits his opportunity to fully enjoy the city's offerings. Despite the demanding schedule, he appreciates the diverse culture and fashion scene the city provides, mentioning his penchant for discovering unique brands at vintage markets.
Dreaming of the Premier League
Having dreamt of playing in the Premier League, Calafiori reveals how a significant increase in his transfer value post-Euros led to Arsenal's keen interest in acquiring his services. Opting for the challenge of English football over a move to a big Italian club like Juventus, Calafiori acknowledges Arsenal's iconic status and the allure of testing his skills in the toughest league.
Friendship and Connections
Highlighting the close bonds he shares with childhood friends like Edoardo Bove and Flavio Cobolli, Calafiori reflects on the serendipitous nature of living in the same block of flats as Bove in London. Recalling their shared history in Roma's youth teams and recent encounters with Cobolli at Wimbledon, Calafiori expresses joy at rekindling old connections in a new environment.
