First off, before I begin writing this report, I’d like to apologize to anyone who read my article on Football Talk.co.uk in which I mistakenly referred Karim Benzema as “Kevin” Benzema, very embarrassing indeed and I sincerely apologize.
Anyways moving on, this is the first player that I will make an in-depth report on, this player is the player I believe will be perfect for the Gunners ( or for any other team for that matter) and despite the difficulty, there is a chance of acquiring of him, a slight one, but still a chance. The player that I’m talking about is Juventus hardman and Italian international, Giorgio Chiellini.
Background
Giorgio Chiellini was born in Pisa, Italy on August 14, 1984. Chiellini started out his career at the age of 6 as a footballer with Livorno as a midfielder, but eventually and slowly, made the transition to become a tough defender. Girogio Chiellini, in which he made the transition to become a reliable left back made over 57 appearances with the club, scoring 4 goals from 2000-2004. Chiellini had an interesting 4 years with Livorno, as he was actually sold in 2002 to AS Roma in an exchange deal involving current AC Milan number 2 custodian Marco Amelia. For some reason, AS Roma never gave him his chance and sent him back to Livorno for the next two seasons, where he improved his game to another level and was bought back by Livorno in the summer of 2004, where he was sold to Juventus that summer. In that summer, Juventus sold him to Fiorentina in a co-ownership deal, where he had an excellent first season in Serie A, making 42 appearances and scoring 3 goals. Juventus bought him, getting full ownership the next season, where he led Juventus to the later-stripped Scudetto. Chiellini, displaying his loyalty to the team, decided to stay with the club despite their demotion, where he became an important member and key player for the team, making 35 appearances and scoring 4 goals.
In the next season following promotion back to Serie A, then coach Claudio Ranieri, converted Chiellini into a central defender, due to injuries to the club’s main central defenders. Chiellini starred in that position and was voted as the Serie A’s best central defender that season, with his “man of the match” performance against Inter and in particular, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a memorable highlight. Chiellini, has gone strength to strength, and is now considered one of the best defenders in the world, one of the finest defenders to emerge from Italy in recent times and is a regular Italian international.
This season, Chiellini has made 40 appearances in all competitions, scoring 4 goals and making one assist.
Quick Lowdown:
Position: Central (Main)/Left Defender (Secondary)
Height: 6’1″
Preferred Foot: Left
Club apps with Juventus/Goals: 170/16
International Apps/Goals: 40/2
Capabilities:
Tackling: 9/10
Man Marking: 9/10
Aggression: 9.5/10
Awareness: 9/10
Reading of the Game: 8.5/10
Aerial Ability: 9/10
Dribbling: 5/10
Shooting: 6.5/10
Passing: 7.5/10
Crossing: 7.5/10
Pace: 6/10
Technique: 6/10
Other:
Mentality: 9/10
Leadership: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Toughness: 9/10
From these ratings, it looks like Chiellini is almost the perfect defender, but that’s because he is, he is a top class defender and there is only one who is slightly better than him at the moment, and that is the faster and technically better Thiago Silva of AC Milan. Chiellini lacks a bit technically, but that doesn’t matter in my opinion, he’s a top class defender and a beast of a player, who’s reliable and will give everything to win, which the Gunners need.
What is his value?
According to transfermarkt.co.uk, Chiellini is valued at around 24.6 million pounds, but I believe he is valued at less than that, especially with Juventus’s recent failures and reported financial trouble. He is probably valued at around 20 million pounds in my opinion.
Where we would he fit in at Arsenal?
Many have asked me this question, since our best defender, Thomas Vermaelen, is also left-footed. I am going to make a suggestion which might surprise and probably anger you, but why not place Chiellini alongside Laurent Koscielny. Koscielny is one of the most technically gifted defenders I’ve seen in a long time, and his performance against Barcelona in the 1st leg and in particular against Lionel Messi, is one of the best defensive displays I’ve seen. Kosicelny, with his excellent technical ability, along with Chiellini’s physical capabilities,toughness, and aggression; an excellent defensive partnership can be formed. Again, this is just a suggestion.
Is there really a chance of Arsenal acquiring Giorgio Chiellini?
Well, there is a chance, but it is going to be difficult. Chiellini is a devoted and loyal player to Juventus and has stated that many times, as well as being a huge fan-favorite. Chiellini though, in my opinion, is a winner and with the recent failures of Juventus, he might consider an offer especially with rumors and reports stating, that Juventus are not in the best financial situation and will be forced to sell a star asset, so if Arsenal give them a tempting offer, Chiellini might be forced to leave. This is the best time, in my opinion, for Wenger and Arsenal to give it a go because Juventus will come back and return to their former, successful ways sooner rather than later. Arsenal will not have a better chance.
Also, Chiellini already has a bit of history with a current Gunner, remember when he infamously seriously injured Robin Van Persie, in a friendly between Holland and Italy on November 14, 2009 which cost Van Persie his season. Let’s hope, if Chiellini were to come, that they kiss and make up.
Below is the video of that incident and some other videos of Chiellini.
What do you think? Do you want to see Chiellini in an Arsenal shirt? Is there a chance of acquiring him?
Cheers and take care,
Omar – www.o-posts.net
