Malesani hopes Arsenal will give Calafiori what Chiesa lacks at ...

Former Parma coach Alberto Malesani says Federico Chiesa hasn’t ‘looked happy for a while’ and hopes Riccardo Calafiori will breathe the ‘playful side of football’ in the Premier League at Arsenal.

In his latest interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, ex-Italian coach Malesani made an interesting comparison between Serie A and Premier League football.

Talking about Chiesa’s future at Juventus and his recent performances for club and country, Malesani said: “Football must be more joyful and more entertaining. I consider Chiesa a top player, and I watched him last season. He didn’t look happy; he hadn’t looked happy for a while.”

The Italy international has less than one year left in his contract at the Allianz Stadium, and Juventus are willing to sell for a fee of around €25m.

Malesani hopes Arsenal will give Calafiori what Chiesa lacks at Juventus

Chiesa has just returned from holidays after the Euros and is training in Turin while the rest of the team is continuing pre-season preparation in Germany.

“I think he should not leave Juventus,” argued Malesani.

“Do you know why? Motta improves all the players, and that’s the best thing a coach can offer.”

Chiesa failed to impress at the Euros, while Calafiori was one of Italy’s best players. The Bologna defender is on the verge of joining Arsenal for €45m.

“I would have loved to coach a Premier League club, so I understand him,” said Malesani a Coppa Italia, Supercuppa and UEFA Cup winner with Parma.

“Well, they have fun in the Premier League,” he concluded.

“The only thing Serie A lacks is the ability to regain the playful side of football and be happier.”

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