First time creating a thread. Just curious to see/ make predictions about some of the younger talents in Serie A and Serie B that could make a name for themselves in the 2016/2017 campaign with an eye towards the future and potentially entering the national team set-up. Lets keep the age limit to under 25. Last year Lapadula was the big name in Serie B. The year before Berardi made a name for himself as a protagonist with Sassuolo. Ready...go!
Sassuolo - Stefano Sensi: His passing range is borderline ridiculous. The way he switches up play is Xavi like, and he'll play in a great system and good environment in Sassuolo. Juventus - Rolando Mandragora: Busquets at a young age. Reads the game well, eye for a pass, good with the ball at his feet and breaks up plays very well. Remains to be seen how much time he will get at Juve; he might be loaned but look out for him. Empoli - Federico Di Marco: Huge defensive talent. Very composed for an 18 year old. Look out for him at Empoli. AC Milan - Manuel Locatelli and Davide Calabria: Locatelli is another insanely talented regista who has been a standout for the U19's and for Milan's primavera. Calabria is probably the best RB prospect in Italy at the moment. Good passer for a 19 year old RB, lots of pace, good crosser. All around full back, but probably more attacking.
Roma - Federico Ricci: Gifted 22 year-old winger that was a catalyst of Crotone's run to Serie A promotion. Spalletti has given him some space this summer in a few friendlies and he has looked good. Confident on the ball, can take players on, and has a good eye for a pass.
Gazzetta has a piece on players promoted from the primavera for this season, http://www.gazzetta.it/calcio/nuove...riea-arras-zonta-pinamonti-160816863081.shtml
Here is part 2 of the Gazzetta's list of youngsters promoted from the primavera. http://www.gazzetta.it/calcio/nuove...ocatelli-di-livio-del-sole-160816863361.shtml
Ya I saw him lineup for Fiorentina against Juve. Then saw he was subbed off at the half on my score app. How did he do?
He was Fiorentina's best player in the first half, made some good runs with the ball and made one goal saving headed interception. his substitution made no sense.
Didnt understand the sub either because he was more productive than Bernardeschi was. Obviously this wont be the last time we will see of him because Paolo Sousa rated him highly with his post-game remarks. Another youngster that is close to locking himself a place in the starting line up is Cristiano Lombardi at Lazio. Had a great game today creating havoc at the left side of Atalanta's defense and also scored a goal. Massimo Oddo at Pescara must be delighted by the game Valerio Verre and especially Bryan Cristante had at CM today. Wow! What a calm and poise does Cristante has in him. This guy has class that seperates him between players like Verre who is an excellent player himself. Eusebio Di Francesco also gave Serie A debuts to Mazzitelli and Sensi today. Those two with Pellegrini make up to what will be an amazing Sassuolo midfield going forward. Palermo, I just want them to be relegated. They don't even have a back-up goalie. I'll take what I can get from Goldaniga, Pezzella, and Bentivegna thos year. I expected more youngsters born 1992 onwards participating but hopefully they will come along in the next few weeks. FORZA CALCIO..FORZA ITALIA!
So much talent to be on show this Serie A season. I'll be watching out for the following; Sensi, Mandragora (when he comes back from injury), Di Marco, Locatelli, Calabria, Donnarumma, Belotti, Lombardi and then the typical ones in Berardi and Bernardeschi.
He missed a penalty yesterday that would of given Torino a point, but I think Belotti is going to have a breakout year. I wouldn't be shocked if he gets 20 this Serie A campaign. And Berardi has been massive so far. 5 goals in 4 games.
Yup. He's got mad pace on counters and despite his size, good at hold up play. On top of the goals, he's also generating chances like crazy. He created something like 7 chances in the 3-0 win over Salzburg.
nice goal from Simone Verdi today... 24 years old.. had a cup of coffee with the u21 team.. maybe he'll get a look if he can keep producing
That was some strike!!!!!!!! Also, anyone know how well (or bad ) Soriano and Sansone are doing at Villareal?
I noticed he keeps getting his name on the scoresheet the past few rounds. Looks to be something special
Here are the list names in more detailed story of players that are brand new to the scene and players that kind of lost their way, but have now regained. 1. Danilo Cataldi 22yrs old: was one of the brightest stars when he debuted in Serie A almost two years ago. He was consistently in Stefano Pioli's starting eleven since his debut midway through 2014/15 season. Then the summer transfer came along and Tare decided to buy Sergei MS coupled with a sudden reliance of Onazi, resulted in a diminished playing time last year. Now with Onazi gone and Biglia probably missing a big chunk of the season, look for him to regain the confidence and that promise that made Stefano Mauri handing over the captain armband to Cataldi not just long ago. 2. Antonio Barreca 21yrs old: A strong professional debut season in the pro with Serie B side Cittadella and a stupid move to Cagliari last year. Now a week-to-week starter at LB for Torino due to a 6mos injury suffered by Christian Molinaro. 3. Valerio Verre 22yrs old: had a strong season at Perugia two years ago and followed that up with another strong season at Pescara last season which resulted with Pescara's promotion to Serie A. Had an amazing game in his first Serie A game against Napoli where he once hit the post, assisted another, and it was his pass that broke the defense down which resulted in Pescara's 2nd goal. 4. Bryan Cristante 21yrs old: stud coming out of AC Milan primavera and had a strong first season with them. Thought he was going to be a staple of the side for years to come, but Galliani had other ideas of transferring him to Benfica. Received no PT there and loaned out to Palermo last season, also with no PT. Pescara took him on loan during the summer and now has become an important part, along with Verre, Caprari, and Benali, of their team this year. 5. Federico Barba 23yrs old: had a rough start of his career because of injuries, Rugani, and Tonelli. A very composed defender and able to play the ball with this feet. Now a starter at the centre of Empoli's defense. 6. Simone Verdi 24yrs old: another alumni of the famous AC Milan primavera program that is shining somewhere else because of Galliani's incompetency. Nicknamed Verdinho (), this guy was suppose to be the next best thing when he graduated. Then he went to the Loan Forest of which he ended up with Empoli. There he received playing time in Serie B and Empoli's first season back to Serie A. Finally solidifing himself as a top flight player last year when he almost single-handedly kept Carpi in Serie A. 7. Davide Calabria 19yrs old: had a great ending to his debut season last year with the Coppa Final, but didn't guaranteed him a starter at the beginning of this season. Then the Udinese accident happened and Montella finally woke up. Has been a starter at LB and now, with the return of MDS, at RB. 8. Luca Antei 24yrs old: had a great season during Sassuolo's debutante season in Serie A where he played many games. The two season since had him sideline most of the time due to injuries. Now finally finding his way again and playing consistently. I'm hoping for more playing time for more Andrea Conti, Vittorio Parigini, Federico Viviani, Mattia Caldara, Cristiano Lombardi, Luca Rizzo, and Federico Dimarco.