Manuel Locatelli (born 8 January 1998) is an Italian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Sassuolo and the Italy national team.
Locatelli is primarily a deep-lying playmaker operating in front of the team's defense, in a role similar to that of Andrea Pirlo. Although not his preferred position, he can also play in 4–3–3 formation as a wing-leaning central midfielder, alternatively known as mezzala. He possesses good vision, passing, ball control, dribbling, as well as a powerful and accurate shot from long range. His reading of the game and ball-winning abilities were described as sufficient for a defensive midfielder. |
