Although football has evolved significantly over the past 15 years, there’s still a special place for an old-school central defender. For a time, Craig Dawson was one of West Ham’s most crucial players, and their recent defensive struggles can likely be attributed to not finding a suitable replacement for him.

Thankfully, West Ham is now interested in signing an ideal successor to Dawson, a young player with the potential to become world-class.

Riccardo Calafiori may not have been well-known before the Euros, but followers of Italian football recognize his brilliance. He represents the future of Italy’s center-backs, a position historically occupied by top-tier talent. Last season, he played a pivotal role in helping Bologna secure Champions League football for the first time in their history, and his impressive performance