Davide Santon

Davide Santon (Italian pronunciation: [ˈdaːvide sanˈtɔn]; born 2 January 1991) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a left back for Italian club Roma.

Davide Santon
Santon with Inter Milan in August 2009
Personal information
Full name Davide Santon[1]
Date of birth (1991-01-02) 2 January 1991
Place of birth Portomaggiore, Italy
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 1 1⁄2 in)[2]
Position(s) Left back
Club information
Current team
 Roma
Number 18
Youth career
1999–2005 Ravenna
2005–2008 Inter Milan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 Inter Milan 40 (0)
2011 → Cesena (loan) 11 (0)
2011–2015 Newcastle United 82 (1)
2015–2018 Inter Milan 50 (0)
2018– Roma 36 (0)
National team
2007 Italy U16 4 (2)
2007–2008 Italy U17 12 (2)
2008 Italy U20 2 (0)
2009–2013 Italy U21 17 (0)
2009–2013 Italy 8 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:30, 18 October 2020 (UTC)

A former Inter Milan youth product, Santon began his professional club career with Inter in 2008, and remained with the club until 2011, aside from a spell on loan with Cesena. He later had a spell with English club Newcastle United, before returning to Inter in 2015.

At international level, Santon made his senior debut with Italy in 2009, and also represented his nation at the FIFA Confederations Cup later that year.

Club career

Inter Milan

At the age of 14, Santon joined Inter Milan's youth system from Ravenna. He started out as a winger before moving into a defensive role. After helping the Inter Milan under-20 side win the 2006–07 Campionato Nazionale Primavera and reaching the final play-off for a second consecutive season,[3] he was called up to join the first team for the 2008–09 pre-season training in South Tyrol[4] and training sessions during the first half of the season.

José Mourinho first named Santon in the line up for a September UEFA Champions League match against Panathinaikos and the next three games, but did not use him. On 21 January 2009, Santon made his debut in the Coppa Italia quarter-final win against Roma, playing the entire match. Four days later, he made his Serie A debut in a 1–0 victory against Sampdoria. He made his European debut in the home draw against Manchester United, tasked with marking Cristiano Ronaldo. Santon garnered praise for his performance prompting Ronaldo to comment,[5] "I was impressed by Santon, he is a really interesting lad and a great footballer."[6] Mourinho praised Santon for his personality and tactical versatility[7] and Santon was handed the starting role for the next game. He started 13 league games and made two substitute appearances, thus winning his first senior honour, the 2008–09 Serie A title.

Santon had also become subject of praise by former Italy national team head coach Marcello Lippi in 2009, who described Santon as, "A predestined player that reminds him of a young Paolo Maldini."[8]

Santon made his first appearance for Inter in the 2009–10 season against Parma on the third game of the season, and subsequently started the game against Cagliari the following week. He was out until the New Year after sustaining a right knee lateral meniscus injury while on international duty.[9][10] He made his return in January as a substitute against Bari[11] and was called back into the starting eleven to replace the injured Cristian Chivu. However, his return was short-lived as he injured[12] the same knee again after returning too soon from the previous injury and required surgery, thus sidelining him for another three to five weeks.

During the 2010–11 season, Santon first served as an understudy of Cristian Chivu, but after Maicon's injury[13] (and a later injury to Chivu), Santon returned to the starting line-up in November (save for the Derby della Madonnina against Milan and matchday 5 of the Champions League). He then played twice as a right wing-forward due to the injury crisis at Inter, the first one in a 5–2 win against Parma.[14] In that match, manager Rafael Benítez preferred Iván Córdoba and Javier Zanetti in both full back positions, as well as for the Champions League against Twente.

Cesena (loan)

On 31 January 2011, the final day of the transfer window, Santon was sent out on loan to Cesena as part of the deal that saw Yuto Nagatomo join Inter in exchange.[15]

Santon returned to Inter in the summer. Under new coach Gian Piero Gasperini, Santon often played as a wing-back in their 3–4–3 formation in the friendlies. Near the end of the summer transfer window, however, the club kept Davide Faraoni as backup wing-back and sold Santon.

Newcastle United

On 30 August 2011, Santon signed for English club Newcastle United on a five-year contract, for an undisclosed fee;[16] according to Inter, Santon was sold for €4 million.[17] He made his Newcastle debut on 16 October 2011 as a second-half substitute against Tottenham Hotspur.[18] He went on to make his first Premier League start for the club in December away against Norwich City, before making his full home debut the next week against Swansea City. He set up Papiss Cissé's first goal in the Magpies' shock win at Chelsea in the 19th minute. Halfway through the 2012–13 season, Santon was the only Newcastle player to have started every Premier League match. In the 3–2 win over Chelsea on 2 February 2013, he assisted the first goal with a cross for Jonás Gutiérrez, and the winning goal scored by Moussa Sissoko. He scored his first goal for Newcastle on 17 March, an equaliser against Wigan Athletic.

Return to Inter

After losing his first-team place to Paul Dummett, Santon returned to Inter in the 2015 January transfer window on loan, with an option to buy in the summer.[19] Santon was also eligible to one of the four quota for club-trained players in UEFA competitions, otherwise Inter's squad would be forced to be reduced by vacating the quota. (Inter filled the quota with reserve players Giacomo Sciacca and Isaac Donkor, first team player Rene Krhin (first half), Joel Obi and Marco Andreolli in the 2014–15 season)[20][21][22] The loan was made permanent in summer 2015. According to Inter, the transfer (including agent fee and other costs) had cost the club €4.893 million.[23]

Santon was once available in the 2016 transfer market, which Sunderland were in negotiations with Inter,[24] as well as an alleged failed medical at West Ham United.[25] However, Santon remained in Inter's squad, as they only had three available players eligible for the aforementioned quota in 2016–17 UEFA Europa League (himself, Marco Andreolli and Jonathan Biabiany), with Serie A also imposing a similar homegrown rule. The club was also forced to reduce the European squad to a maximum of 22 as a penalty for breaching UEFA Financial Fair Play Regulations.[26] Eventually Inter had a 21-men squad, with one quota for an Inter youth product not used.[27]

Santon was an unused substitute for Inter in the opening match of 2016–17 UEFA Europa League; he was the starting full-back in their 2–1 win over defending Serie A champions Juventus in the Derby d'Italia.

After Frank de Boer was sacked in 2016, Santon was rarely used by new coach Stefano Pioli. In 2017–18 season, he was included in Luciano Spalletti's pre-season camp in July 2017. However, Santon was left out from the squad to Asia due to injury.[28]

Roma

In June 2018, it was reported that Santon and Nicolò Zaniolo would joined Roma as part of the deal of Radja Nainggolan to Inter.[29] Santon and Zaniolo arrived in Rome for medicals on 25 June.[30] The transfers were completed on 26 June, which Santon had a price tag of €9.5 million, signing a 4-year contract.[31]

International career

Santon has played for Italy from under-16 level and made his goal-scoring debut in April 2007 in a 3–1 win over Slovenia. On 31 March 2009, he made his debut for the under-21 squad in a friendly against the Netherlands, played at Parkstad Limburg Stadion, Kerkrade, which ended in a 1–1 draw.[32]

Santon made his debut with the senior Italian team at age 18, on 6 June 2009 in a friendly match against Northern Ireland, played in Pisa.[33] On the same night future Newcastle teammate Shane Ferguson made his debut as a substitute for the visitors. He played the whole match and his solid performances in Italy's 3–0 win earned him praise from his peers as well as coach Marcello Lippi.[34][35] Lippi was impressed enough to name him in the roster for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup,[36] but Santon did not manage to make an appearance in the tournament as Italy went out in the first round.[37] After some strong performances since signing with Newcastle United, Santon was recalled to the national team under manager Cesare Prandelli for the friendly against France in November 2012,[38] however Santon did not come off the bench in the 2–1 home defeat.[39] He started his next game for Italy, earning his eighth international cap, in a 1–1 friendly draw against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on 6 February 2013.[40]

Style of play

Although Santon is usually deployed as a left-back, he is naturally right-footed and started his youth career as a right-sided attacker or winger, later reverting to an attacking full-back or wing-back who can play on both sides of the pitch; he is known in particular for his pacy, energetic runs up and down the flank. Santon also possesses significant physical strength, as well as good dribbling technique and defensive awareness.[41][42] Regarded as a promising player in his youth, his precocious displays for Inter and Italy in 2009 led his coaches at the time, José Mourinho and Marcello Lippi respectively, to describe him as a "predestined player",[43] also comparing him to legendary Italian left-backs such as Paolo Maldini and Giacinto Facchetti.[44][45] In 2010, he was included in the Don Balón list of the best young footballers in the world, born after 1989.[46]

Personal life

Santon is married to Chloe Sanderson. She gave birth to their daughter on 21 May 2013.[47]

On 9 November 2020 he tested positive for COVID-19.[48]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 18 October 2020[49]
Club Season League Cup [nb 1] League Cup Europe Other Total
Division AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Inter Milan 2008–09 Serie A 16010—2[lower-alpha 1]000200
2009–10 12020—1[lower-alpha 1]000150
2010–11 12010—4[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 2]0180
Cesena (loan) 2010–11 11000———110
Newcastle United 2011–12 Premier League 2402010——270
2012–13 31110006[lower-alpha 3]0—381
2013–14 2701000——280
2014–15 001000——10
Total 82150106000941
Inter Milan 2014–15 Serie A 9010—4[lower-alpha 3]0—140
2015–16 12010———130
2016–17 14000—1[lower-alpha 3]0—150
2017–18 15000———150
Inter total 90060—120101090
Roma 2018–19 Serie A 17000—4[lower-alpha 1]0—210
2019–20 15010—5[lower-alpha 3]0—210
2020–21 4000—00—40
Total 36010—90—460
Career Total 219112010270102601
  1. All appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. All appearance(s) in FIFA Club World Cup
  3. All appearances in UEFA Europa League

    International
    As of 7 February 2013[50][51]
    Italy
    YearAppsGoals
    200950
    201010
    201110
    201200
    201310
    Total80

    Honours

    Club
    Inter Milan[49][52]

    References
    1. "Premier League Clubs submit Squad Lists" (PDF). Premier League. 4 February 2014. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
    2. "Davide Santon" (in Italian). A.S. Roma. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
    3. "Primavera: Inter 2–3 Sampdoria". inter.it. 8 June 2008.
    4. "Santon: Unbelievable…". inter.it. 16 July 2008.
    5. Jackson, Jamie (8 March 2009). "Champions League: Santon revives Mourinho's faith in youth". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
    6. "Ronaldo about Santon". Goal. 27 February 2009. Retrieved 27 February 2009.
    7. "Balotelli segua l'esempio Santon lavora e sta zitto" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
    8. "Lippi: "Del Piero? Vediamo fra un anno e mezzo..."" (in Italian). Corriere dello Sport. 19 February 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2009.
    9. "Santon set for spell on sidelines". UEFA. 18 November 2009.
    10. "Santon fine after knee op". FC Internazionale - Inter Milan.
    11. "Santon: Feeling good now". inter.it. 16 January 2010.
    12. "Stankovic back in full training". FC Internazionale - Inter Milan.
    13. "Serie A: Inter-Brescia 1–1". FC Internazionale Milano. inter.it. 6 November 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
    14. "Inter-Parma: 5–2, Stankovic starts and finishes". FC Internazionale Milano. inter.it. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
    15. "Mercato: Yuto Nagatomo è dell'Inter". FC Internazionale Milano (in Italian). inter.it. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
    16. "Inter defender Santon joins Newcastle". ESPN Soccernet. 30 August 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
    17. F.C. Internazionale Milano S.p.A. bilancio al 30 giugno 2012 [F.C. Internazionale Milano S.p.A. financial report on 30 June 2012] (in Italian). Milan: Italian C.C.I.A.A. 2012. p. 28.
    18. Chowdhury, Saj (16 October 2011). "Newcastle 2 - 2 Tottenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
    19. "Welcome back Davide!". F.C. Internazionale Milano. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
    20. "Inter's list for Europa League play-off round". F.C. Internazionale Milano. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
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    24. "Club Comment: Davide Santon". Sunderland A.F.C. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
    25. "Davide Santon fails medical ahead of West Ham move - Sky sources". Sky Sports. Sky plc. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
    26. "Settlement agreements: details". UEFA. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
    27. "UEL, fase a gironi: la lista dell'Inter" (in Italian). F.C. Internazionale Milano. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
    28. "LUCIANO SPALLETTI NAMES SQUAD FOR SUMMER TOUR" (Press release). F.C. Internazionale Milano. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
    29. "Nainggolan-Inter, è fatta: alla Roma 24 milioni, Santon e Zaniolo". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Milan: RCS MediaGroup. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
    30. "Gallery: visite mediche per Davide Santon e Nicolò Zaniolo" (Press release) (in Italian). Rome: A.S. Roma. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
    31. "La Roma perfeziona l'ingaggio di Davide Santon" (Press release) (in Italian). Rome: A.S. Roma. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
    32. "Giovinco strikes to deny Dutch". UEFA. 31 March 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
    33. FIFA.com. "Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) - FIFA.com". FIFA.com.
    34. "Teenager Santon living the dream". UEFA. 8 June 2009.
    35. "Italy 3-0 Northern Ireland". BBC Sport. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
    36. "Santon in Sud Africa Pazzini resta fuori" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
    37. "Irresistible Brazil eliminate Italy". FIFA. 21 June 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
    38. "Nazionale, De Rossi escluso È l'ora di El Shaarawy-Balotelli" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 11 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
    39. "Balotelli l'unico ammonito" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
    40. FRANCESCO SAVERIO INTORCIA (6 February 2013). "Olanda-Italia 1-1, Buffon e Verratti salvano gli azzurri" (in Italian). La Repubblica. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
    41. "Next Generation: Santon" (in Italian). Gazzetta Dello Sport. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
    42. "Febbre da '90: i talenti italiani" (in Italian). Sport Mediaset. 29 December 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
    43. "Lippi lancia Santon "È un predestinato"" (in Italian). La Repubblica. 5 June 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
    44. "Inter: Mourinho 'Santon e' il nuovo Facchetti'". ESPN FC. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
    45. "Inter's Jose Mourinho: Davide Santon Is The New Paolo Maldini". Goal.com. 28 February 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
    46. "Don Balon's list of the 100 best young players in the world". thespoiler.co.uk. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
    47. "Davide Santon Finding It Tough To Leave Home".
    48. "Roma, anche Fazio, Santon e Pellegrini positivi al coronavirus" (in Italian). Sport Mediaset. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
    49. Davide Santon at Soccerway
    50. "Davide Santon". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman.
    51. "Nazionale in cifre NOME: SANTON DAVIDE" (in Italian). Italian Football Federation. 13 October 2015. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
    52. "Davide Santon" (in Italian). Inter.it. Retrieved 15 January 2018.

    Notes
    1. Includes cup competitions such as the Coppa Italia and FA Cup.
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