Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori reveals desire to return to Roma
Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has admitted he wishes to return to boyhood club Roma later in his career to settle “unfinished business”.
Comments come amid selection struggle
The Italy international has seen his playing time restricted recently following the emergence of Piero Hincapie.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has hinted the club intends to trigger a £45m option to sign Hincapie permanently this summer.
Calafiori, who joined Arsenal from Bologna for £33.7m last summer, has started just one Premier League game since returning from a knee injury in late January.
Speaking on the Italian podcast Supernova, the 23-year-old discussed his emotional connection to the Giallorossi.
“I’d like to return to Roma sooner or later,” Calafiori said.
“We can’t plan it, of course, but yes, I want to return.”
Unfinished business in the Italian capital
The versatile defender came through the youth ranks at the Stadio Olimpico but was sold during Jose Mourinho’s tenure.
He believes his time at the club was cut short prematurely following a difficult period under the Portuguese manager.
“I left something unfinished,” he explained regarding his departure.
“It all started very well, with a goal. I played a lot for the first six months with Mourinho, even providing a few assists.”
He noted that the infamous 6-1 defeat by Bodo/Glimt marked the turning point, after which he “didn’t play again”.
Following a loan spell at Genoa, the full-back was sold to Basel before re-establishing his reputation at Bologna.
Happy in north London
Despite his long-term ambitions to return to Serie A, Calafiori insisted he remains committed to life in the Premier League.
He praised the intensity of Arteta’s coaching methods in a separate interview.
“Obviously, he’s a really demanding guy, but I like it,” the Euro 2024 star told Sky Sports.
“It’s always better when your coach is asking you things in a good way, in a bad way, but it’s always nice to learn.”
He added that the Spanish coach pushes him daily to improve his game.