Whether David Degen will be able to watch the broadcast of the European Championship match between Italy and Croatia (1:1) on Tuesday evening with his colleagues at ZDF It is not known who followed him. However, the FCB boss has probably heard the praises of former Basel player Riccardo Calafiori sung by ZDF expert Christoph Kramer.
Kramer adelt Calafiori
“What a game he played! He doesn’t slide tackle if he doesn’t have to. He doesn’t shoot a ball under the stadium roof if he doesn’t have to shoot a ball under the stadium roof. (…) He has such a great feel for the game, especially with the ball he’s incredible,” the 2014 world champion couldn’t stop raving.
For me he is the best player of this European Championship.
With his rush in the last minute of injury time, the 22-year-old central defender set up the Italians’ 1-1 equaliser and thus played a major role in the dramatic advance of the “Squadra Azzurra” to the round of 16. “The way he prepared this goal is no coincidence. The way he plays! I never tire of saying it: for me, he is the best player in this European Championship!”, Kramer continued.
Basel will earn a lot
It is likely that Degen rubbed his hands in glee at these statements. After all, a year ago Calafiori moved to Bologna for around 4 million euros. If he were to move again, FCB would pocket a considerable part of the transfer fee thanks to a so-called resale fee, 40 percent of which is being talked about. Calafiori’s market value according to transfermarkt.ch on Tuesday morning: 30 million.
Legend:
Praised Riccardo Calafiori over the clover
ZDF expert Christoph Kramer.
imago images/kolbert press
Several big clubs are said to be vying for the shooting star, most notably Juventus Turin. Thiago Motta, Calafiori’s previous coach at Bologna, will be on the sidelines there next season.
But the Turin team is unlikely to be the only interested party. To let the euphoric Kramer have his say again: “If I were a top team, I would sign him blindly! (…) He has everything that is needed in modern football. I think it’s crazy!”
Against Switzerland without Calafiori
In the round of 16 against Switzerland on Saturday (6 p.m. live on SRF), Italy will have to do without its newcomer, Calafiori is missing due to a yellow card suspension. “I’ll give my teammates some tips,” he grins, after all he knows his teammates Remo Freuler, Dan Ndoye and Michel Aebischer very well.
Even if the young man from Rome can only watch from the sidelines, his market value is likely to continue to skyrocket in the coming days. Much to the delight of David Degen.
