Different groups can be “jealous” of Brighton signing Diego Coppola early and he’ll “praise” different Seagulls defenders effectively, says soccer analyst Ben Mattinson.
The membership of the 21-year-old centre-back from Hellas Verona on Tuesday for a undisclosed charge believed to be round 11m euros (£9.4m).
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Coppola made his debut for Verona in 2021, having emerged from the membership’s academy and has gone on to make 81 appearances for the Serie A aspect since.
The defender has already been capped twice for Italy and is representing the under-21s within the European Championships.
“What intrigued me essentially the most is he’s not the kind of defender you’d affiliate with the current kind of defenders Brighton have signed,” Mattinson instructed BBC Radio Sussex’s Albion Limitless podcast.
“If you consider different ones, there’s a lot who’re very expert on the ball and never as bodily defensively. Whereas this isn’t the polar reverse, however he’s actually good defensively, an excellent within the field defender, and has the bodily presence that at instances Brighton have wanted extra of.
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“Additionally, he’s not actually sluggish, however he’s not electrical fast, nevertheless, he reads the sport rather well which helps when defending greater areas. Anticipating when to come back up and press the ball or when to drop again and sweep and defend the house – he’s actually good at studying hazard like that.”
[BBC]
Brighton have typically had a spotlight below current managers on defenders who’re good with the ball at their ft and may also help construct up play from the again.
Coppola represents a slight step change from this together with his expertise at present rooted in his capacity to try to win the ball again and defend his space – helped by his tall stature at 6ft 4in.
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So whereas the likes of Jan Paul van Hecke come out on high for possessional stats, Mattinson believes the Italy worldwide’s model may work effectively alongside these at present within the Seagulls backline.
“Coppola is a extra aggressive defender so you’ll be able to see him working effectively with a participant like Jan Paul van Hecke who’s loads higher on the ball – that can be a pleasant praise for one another,” he added.
“He’s actually good aerially as effectively, he’s about 6ft 4in. I am shocked that at that worth not one of the huge Italian groups had been going for him, so it says loads that Brighton had been fast to get it performed.
“He’s going to be the kind of defender that lots of groups are going to be jealous that [Brighton] acquired forward on it early.”
[BBC]