Davide Zappacosta

Who is Davide Zappacosta?

Davide Zappacosta is an Italian right-back who plays for Premier League club Chelsea. The 29-year-old defender was born on 11 June 1992 in Sora, Italy.

In winter 2011, Davide joined Atalanta in a co-ownership agreement for a €60,000 transfer fee. Zappacosta played for the Primavera for six months.

In summer 2011, the Italian defender was signed by Avellino initially in a temporary deal. The loan was turned into a co-ownership agreement for a €40,000 fee in 2012 after La Dea bought him outright from Isola Liri.

In summer 2014, Davide returned to Atalanta for a €900,000 fee, signing a four-year contract. In summer 2014, the Italian defender made his Serie A debut against Hellas Verona.

Zappacosta finished the 2014–15 campaign to La Dea with 30 games, three goals and one assist. In summer 2015, Davide was sold to Torino for a total of €10m transfer fee.

The 29-year-old right-back finished his first campaign for Torino with 26 games, one goal and one assist, and his second with 29 matches, one goal and five assists.

In summer 2017, Davide was sold to Chelsea for a reported fee of €28m plus bonuses.

Zappacosta signed a four-year contract at the London club. In summer 2019, the Italian defender joined Roma on an initial six-month loan deal.

On 4 October 2019, Davide suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during training.

On 19 September 2020, the 29-year-old defender returned to Serie A with Genoa on loan until the end of the 2020–21 campaign.

One day later, Davide scored a goal on his Serie A debut as Genoa beat Crotone 4–1 at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium.

What is Davide Zappacosta’s international career like?

Zappacosta made his debut with the Italy U21 in a 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier game with Belgium, losing 3–1.

Davide took part in the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic, playing as a starter in the right-back position in all three of Italy’s matches, who were eliminated in the group stage.

In May 2016, the 29-year-old defender was called up to the Italy squad by manager Antonio Conte in preparation for the UEFA Euro 2016.

The Italian right-back was finally included in the list of 30 provisional footballers for the competition.

On 31 May, Zappacosta was named one of three reserves for the senior team for UEFA Euro 2016.

Davide made his international debut for Italy on 12 November 2016, with Liechtenstein in a 2018 World Cup qualifying game, starting the match as a right back.