Eric Chelle Alert: De Rossi compares Super Eagles-eligible defender in Serie A to Real Madrid’s Rüdiger

Roma legend Daniele De Rossi has compared Super Eagles-eligible defender Alessandro Marcandalli to Real Madrid star Antonio Rüdiger, Afrik-Foot reports.

​Marcandalli has enjoyed a significant rise at Genoa this season. The 24-year-old defender was developed in the club’s academy, and after several loan spells at Pontedera, Reggiana, and Venezia, he has finally become a regular for the Grifone.

​This season, he has featured in 27 games, with one goal and two assists to his name. He has built a reputation for his commanding physical presence and aerial dominance, while also possessing impressive technical ability.

​The center-back featured prominently for Genoa this weekend in their 2-0 home loss to Udinese. Marcandalli played the full 90 minutes, and even though his performance was rated a mere 5.8 by Sofascore, his coach, De Rossi, had high praise for him — even comparing him to Rüdiger, who is widely considered one of the best defenders in the world.

​”Marcandalli was born in 2002; he gained experience in Serie B and Serie A,” De Rossi said, per Tuttomercatoweb.

​”He impressed me straight away. There are paths that converge—coaches and players who get along well. The player is showing more consistency; he’s calmer.

​”He’s a player who understands everything and has the physical qualities of a Champions League player—the kind of player who’s in fashion right now. He needs to develop a bit more ball control and game reading, but his physicality is that of an Arsenal or Chelsea defender.

​”He reminds me of Rüdiger’s early years at Roma; a raw player, but physically a force of nature.”

​The NFF Should Go All Out to Convince Marcandalli for the Super Eagles

​Alessandro Marcandalli is one of many players with dual nationality. Born in Italy to an Italian father and a Nigerian mother, he is eligible to represent either country.

​The 24-year-old has not played for Italy at any level, meaning the door remains wide open for Nigeria. Recently, he admitted to having strong emotional ties to the country due to his mother’s influence. The Genoa star even revealed that he eats Jollof rice regularly.

​Marcandalli would be a stellar addition to Nigeria’s defense. In fact, he could form a formidable partnership with Calvin Bassey that could anchor the backline for a decade.

​The Genoa man has the physical qualities to thrive in the African game and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. With an endorsement from a football great like De Rossi, the Nigeria Football Federation should move quickly to convince him to switch allegiances to the Super Eagles.