Why Celtic talent O’Riley is the perfect prototype of Atalanta signing | OneFootball

Atalanta are looking to beat Juventus to the signing of Matt O’Riley from Celtic and Wayne Girard explains why the Denmark international is the perfect prototype of a new signing for La Dea.

You would be forgiven for thinking Atalanta are in the diamond business. It’s an honest mistake, as year in and year out they seem to cut new gems from all corners of the world.

In the last decade, La Dea have signed waves of obscure players, only for them to become stars in Serie A. What makes it such a remarkable feat is that the club have used this approach not just to become sustainable, but developing into a powerhouse of European football, which has been exemplified by their success in dismantling the undefeated Bayer Leverkusen and winning the Europa League title (that match wasn’t really much of a game at all).

They are set to quadruple their money off of Teun Koopmeiners, who has become one of the highest-rated centre-midfielders in the world and are looking underground once again for the next leader of their midfield. Atalanta have identified their target to fill the void the Dutchman leaves behind in Matt O’Riley. Born and raised in England, the Danish international with the Irish last name plays in Scotland for Celtic. You may have to read that once or twice.

Atalanta are back in for the attacking midfielder after their  €15m bid was rejected in the last few days. If their price tag is met for Koopmeiners, there should be a little problem for the Bergamo club to grab their preferred target.

O’Riley is coming off a monstrous 19-goal season, guiding Celtic as their leading goal scorer, winning the Scottish Premier League title and the Scottish Cup. Finishing as the second-highest goal scorer in the SPL, many of Matt’s goals are courtesy of his finely tuned left foot.

He’s a player with outstanding anticipation, reading the game at the speed of sound to make the right pass and open up the pitch. Strong in winning the ball in the offensive third with a powerful dribble, O’Riley delivers set pieces with his left foot just as cool-ly as he links progression through open play.

Balanced and intelligent, it would still take some time for O’Riley to adapt to the Italian game. Replacing Koopmeiners is no small feat, given his 12 goals, five assists, and a plethora of touches—significant numbers that Atalanta will have to make up. One hidden quality that made him so impactful for Atalanta and their counter-press was his work rate, ranking in the 90th percentile of attacking midfielders for defensive actions.

The Celtic player has staggering numbers as chances are created, and goals are both in the 98th percentile, but they plummet to just 22% for defensive actions. If his focus is just on creation, Gian Piero Gasperini will be forced to shift – and perhaps disrupt – the balance by assuming more responsibility for the other midfielders.

But if there ever was a prodigy, it’s this highly talented left-footed midfielder. O’Riley, at 23 years of age, is far from the finished product, but if La Dea pursues the hand-cutting, he’ll be another gemstone upon her tiara.