Serie A is seen by many as a league not made for young men, the kind commonly referred to as wonderkids in the football world.
However, whether or not that reputation is justified, the Italian top division boasts some of the most exciting youngsters in European football today.
Ahead of the new season, we’ve decided to pick out the 10 Serie A wonderkids you must keep an eye on. Some will be familiar, others not so much.
1. Pedro Neto
Age: 18
Club: Lazio
Position: Winger
2017/18 Serie A appearances (minutes): 0 (0)
A number of clubs, notably Spanish giants Barcelona, made a move for the impressive Portuguese winger, but in the end, his boyhood club Braga shook hands with Lazio and Neto – who has played three competitive league matches to date – is expected to play a role in Simone Inzaghi’s exciting squad.
2. Davide Bettella
Age: 18
Club: Atalanta
Position: Centre-back
2017/18 Serie A appearances (minutes): 0 (0)
A graduate of Inter Milan’s esteemed academy, Bettella – who is a centre-back by trade – recently swapped the Nerazzurri for Atalanta, where first-team opportunities are expected to be greater. Yet to make his Serie A debut, that should come this season, but for now, it’s all about keeping his head down and working hard.
3. Enrico Brignola
Age: 19
Club: Sassuolo
Position: Winger
2017/18 Serie A appearances (minutes): 18 (1,354)
Brignola emerged at the backend of last season, where he’d go on to bag three goals across 17 league outings, predominantly from the flanks, for his childhood team Benevento. He’d also create a further two for his teammates; only Federico Chiesa (5) managed to produce more of any Serie A player younger than 21, but this forthcoming season it will be Sassuolo taking advantage of his talents.
4. Musa Barrow
Age: 19
Club: Atalanta
Position: Forward
2017/18 Serie A appearances (minutes): 12 (444)
To say Barrow has started this season on fire is an understatement. Even before a Serie A ball is kicked, he’s already putting defenders on notice. And that’s because the Gambian marksman has registered four goals and two assists in three Europa League qualification matches. Expect him to bring that form to the Italian domestic game and create more headlines in the process.
5. Justin Kluivert
Age: 19
Club: AS Roma
Position: Left-winger
2017/18 Serie A appearances (minutes): 0 (0)
Justin Kluivert is arguably the most eye-catching signing this summer when it comes to promising talents arriving in the league. After scoring 10 goals and providing five assists in the Eredivisie in 2017/18, Kluivert, son of Patrick, followed in his father’s footsteps by swapping Ajax for Serie A.
He is a devastating winger, but expect a tentative start, before doing a Cengiz Ünder and coming alive in the second half of the season. The hope is he fares much better than his old man who struggled in Milan colours.
6. Ronaldo Vieira
Age: 20
Club: Sampdoria
Position: Centre-midfielder
2017/18 Serie A appearances (minutes): 0 (0)
Cristiano wasn’t the only Ronaldo to become a Serie A player this summer. His namesake Vieira ended a three-year association with Leeds United, where he began his senior professional career, by joining Sampdoria. The highly-rated defensive midfielder, who has three England U21 caps to his name, will hope Gareth Southgate is also keeping tabs.
7. Federico Chiesa
Age: 20
Club: Fiorentina
Position: Right-winger
2017/18 Serie A appearances (minutes): 36 (3,022)
Being the son of a club icon is not easy. Federico Chiesa, son of Enrico, is creating his own path and now stands as one of Fiorentina’s most important players. Last season, a taste of things to come, the winger played a part in 11 goals (scoring six of those himself) across 36 league matches. Expect this season to be even better.
8. Patrick Cutrone
Age: 20
Club: AC Milan
Position: Striker
2017/18 Serie A appearances (minutes): 28 (1,512)
Italy’s next great number nine? His manager Gennaro Gattuso has already likened him to Filippo Inzaghi, because of his instincts inside the penalty area. No pressure then. Cutrone, in the meantime, will be looking to improve on his 10 league goals he managed last season.
He was able to force Andre Silva out of the club following a €38m move at the start of last season; this campaign, however, Gonzalo Higuain stands in his way.
9. Nicolò Barella
Age: 21
Club: Cagliari
Position: Centre-midfielder
2017/18 Serie A appearances (minutes): 34 (2,966)
Serie A has always been blessed with elegant central midfielders and Nicolò Barella is just the latest showcasing his talents. A regular for Cagliari, the only club he has known, this season is expected to be another massive one for him as he looks to earn a first senior international cap.
10. Andrea Favilli
Age: 21
Club: Genoa
Position: Striker
2017/18 Serie A appearances (minutes): 0 (0)
Capping off our list of Serie A wonderkids to watch is 21-year-old loanee Andrea Favilli. Despite seizing his opportunity in the summer, Favilli will not be needed by Juventus this season meaning his Serie A career truly gets underway at Genoa. His record at youth level is formidable. If manager Davide Ballardini gives him regular playing time, expect his faith to be repaid.
The post The 10 Serie A wonderkids to watch this season appeared first on Squawka News.
From Squawka NewsSquawka News https://ift.tt/2vV5K55
No comments:
Post a Comment