From Arsenal to Juventus: Meet Stephy Mavididi
The dust was only just beginning to settle following one of the most momentous transfers of all time after Cristiano Ronaldo swapped Real Madrid for Juventus. His burning desire to further his greatness, backing himself to thrive and adapt to a new environment, did not go unnoticed.
Stephy Mavididi was one of many to take note, in the hope of following his idol's footsteps. The precocious Englishman accepted the audacious move from Arsenal to Juventus weeks after Ronaldo had sparked pandemonium in Turin.
Somewhat encouraged by the decisions Ronaldo made, but also buoyed by a recent trend of young English
talent, such as Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho, gambling by moving abroad, the 20-year-old leaped at the chance to observe his idol close up.
“The motivation to play with one of my idols, one of the greatest ever. I’m blessed to have the opportunity to train with him,” Mavididi tells The Independent. “It’s the mentality [with Ronaldo], how he approaches things, how professional he is, how he manages his body. Watching him, I just try and take in as much as I can from him.”
While Ronaldo is now evidently an added pull for the Bianconeri’s prospective targets, the club's “project” is equally persuasive. The only nagging doubt for Mavididi was how he would adapt to moving away from his family and friends. The wave of English players, particularly those once nurtured at London Colney, willing to embrace a new culture fully convinced him of his decision.
“Yes, of course,” Mavididi admits when asked whether English youngsters moving abroad helped with his decision. “Some players like Chris Willock, in Portugal at Benfica. When I got the call from Juventus, he was one of the first players I called, asking him what it was like living away from home, adapting.
“Reiss Nelson out in Germany [with Hoffenheim] as well. This generation are becoming braver to step abroad. “Of course, we follow each other’s games, if I score, or he scores, we’ll post messages, we always keep in touch.”
Emile Smith Rowe, still with the Gunners, has joined Nelson in the Bundesliga on loan with RB Leipzig. Whereas Premier League clubs have a tendency for neglecting the English youth in their ranks, foreign clubs seem far more appreciative of their talent and willing to ignore the understandable flaws in their game.
Mavididi is currently adjusting to Italian football with the Under-23s in Serie C (the third tier) under the tutelage of Mauro Zironelli, a journeyman as a player, but now tasked with developing the Old Lady’s best talent and reporting to Massimiliano Allegri. There is a demand on Mavididi to be “cuter” with his body, having noticed how the defenders in Italy are noticeably “tougher” than in England.
Allegri, who speaks extra slowly to Mavididi while his Italian improves with lessons twice per week, has ensured the Under-23s are not detached from the first team.
“I remember in my first week, one of the coaches was talking,” Mavididi recalls. “I turned to Emre Can and said, ‘do you understand?’ He was like, ‘no.’ From then we’ve chatted, everybody has been friendly, it’s been really good.”
Gareth Southgate and England will only see the benefit of English players venturing abroad in the years ahead. And while they will undoubtedly develop technically and expand their tactical understanding, Mavididi insists the experience has enhanced his character.
“I think it’s good you know, it makes you mature quickly and makes you find more focus,” he explains. “It motivates you even more and makes you more humble.”