There is a certain romance in seeing a player return to a league where he once made his name. For Takehiro Tomiyasu, that return to Serie A might be j...
There is a certain romance in seeing a player return to a league where he once made his name. For Takehiro Tomiyasu, that return to Serie A might be just around the corner, and the whispers out of Italy suggest that Sassuolo and Venezia are both sizing him up as a free agent. This is a fascinating development for a defender whose career has been a stop start affair since leaving Bologna for the Emirates.Tomiyasu's time in North London has been defined by moments of brilliance punctuated by frustrating absences. When fit, he offers a rare combination of raw physicality and quiet intelligence. He can slot into a back four or tuck inside to form a back three. His reading of the game allows him to snuff out danger before it becomes a crisis. But the injury record is a concern, and at 26, he needs to find a club where he can be a regular, not a perpetual sick note.The interest from Sassuolo makes a great deal of sense. They are a side that likes to build from the back, and Tomiyasu's composure on the ball would be a welcome addition to their defensive unit. He is comfortable stepping into midfield, a trait that any modern coach craves. Venezia, on the other hand, might offer a different kind of project. They are rebuilding, looking for a leader at the back, and Tomiyasu's experience in the Premier League and the Champions League could be exactly what they need to steady the ship.Let's not forget that Tomiyasu is still a key figure for Japan on the international stage. He brings a calmness to the backline that allows the more adventurous players to push forward. The question is whether a move back to Italy can reignite the form that first caught the eye of Ajax and then Arsenal. Could this be the fresh start he needs It feels like a move that makes sense for all parties. For the player, it is a chance to become a cornerstone again. For the clubs, it is a low risk gamble on a proven talent.This is not a flashy signing. It is not going to sell shirts. But it is the kind of intelligent business that often separates the well run clubs from the rest. Tomiyasu understands the tempo of Italian football. He knows the defensive drills. He also knows what it means to fight for a result in the rain against a mid table side. That streetwise edge is hard to buy, and even harder to replace. Keep an eye on these two clubs. One of them might just land a very clever piece of business.
