In March 2023, Riccardo Calafiori had a chat with Heiko Vogel, his interim manager at Basel, that would change his football career. 'Ricky, do you want to maximise your career?' said Vogel. He replied: 'What do you mean coach?' 'I think you are playing the wrong position.' Vogel recalls that conversation to Sky Sports from Germany, where Calafiori has just finished starring for Italy at Euro 2024 as a centre-back.
What do his former coaches Jose Mourinho, Vogel and Thiago Motta have in common? A link to Barcelona, La Masia academy or Pep Guardiola, the main source of improvement behind Man City's Stones. No wonder Guardiola disciples such as Arteta and Chelsea's Enzo Maresca are swirling. The experience of different types of coaches means Calafiori is a modern manager's defensive dream. 'Absolutely he is, because he has everything,' Vogel adds.