10 youngsters to watch out in Serie-A
Serie-A has often been regarded as a league where players tend to peak over the age of 25. The present Italian league has no shortage of talent and skill amongst the young protagonists. Here’s a look at 10 young players who will be setting the stage on fire in Italy this season.
1. Mattia Destro
Age- 21
Club-A.S.Roma
Position- Striker
FLORENCE, ITALY – AUGUST 13: Mattia Destro of Italy in action during a training session at Coverciano on August 13, 2012 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
The former Inter Milan youth player has already caught the interest for his splendid year at Siena last season. The Italian Under 21 international was on the radar of multiple clubs within Italy and throughout Europe. Despite the late attempts of Juventus to sign him, Roma brought him on loan for a fee of 11.5 M€ from Genoa with an option of making this deal permanent for an amount of 4.5 M€. Destro scored 12 goals in his 30 appearances for Siena last season and will definitely look to improve that tally with the side from the Italian capital.
2. Alberto Masi
Age- 19
Club- Juventus
Position- Defender
BARI, ITALY – JULY 21: Alberto Masi of Juventus in action during the match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Juventus as part of the TIM preseason tournament at Stadio San Nicola on July 21, 2012 in Bari, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
The young Italian defender has been very impressive in his pre-season games with the reigning Italian Champions – Juventus. Injuries to Caceres and Chiellini may hand him a starting spot in the Bianconeri side early in the season. Masi joined Juve on a co- ownership deal from Pro Vercelli at a small price. Will we get to see the more of him in the upcoming season ?
3. Eduardo Vargas
Age- 22
Club- Napoli
Position- Striker
TRENTO, ITALY – JULY 23: Eduardo Vargas of Napoli in action during the pre-season friendly match between SSC Napoli and US Grosseto on July 23, 2012 in Dimaro near Trento, Italy. (Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images)
The 22 year old sensation from Chile came to Napoli in the January transfer mercato. With the departure of Lavezzi to France, Vargas could become a part of their ” holy trinity ” . Vargas has already got 2 appearanes to his name for the Chile senior team. Pandev’s early suspension to a couple of games will ensure that Vargas starts in the attack alongside Cavani and Hamsik. The Chilean did make 10 appearances and was rarely used by Mazzarri last season but the disposal of Cavani at any stage towards the end in this summer transfer window would make Vargas a player to look to for goals in the attack.
4. Panagiotis Tachtsidis
Age- 21
Club- A.S. Roma
Position- Midfielder
HARRISON, NJ – JULY 27: Panagiotis Tachtsidis #77 of AS Roma is escorted off the field after receiving a red card for fighting during the game against El Salvador during the game at Red Bull Arena on July 27, 2012 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images for New York Red Bulls)
The Under 21 Greek midfielder is an important addition to Zeman’s side. Tachtsidis signed a long term 5 year contract with Roma for a fee of 2.5 M€. The former Genoa player can be employed at any role in the centre of midfield. He was the youngest player to have ever played for AEK Athens in the Greek league. The future looks bright for the young Greek at the Italian capital.
5. Richmond Boakye
Age- 19
Club- Juventus
Position- Striker
BARI, ITALY – JULY 21: Richmond Boakye of Juventus in action during the match between AC Milan and FC Juventus as part of the TIM preseason tournament at Stadio San Nicola on July 21, 2012 in Bari, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
Juventus are aiming to make their squad younger, in the process having to secure a masterpiece in Boakye. Boakye will definitely not be a regular starter for the last years’ Scudetto winners, but he will be an invaluable addition to the team from Turin. He has looked sharp in the attack and had an eye for goal in his pre-season games. Boakye was brought in from Genoa on a co-ownership deal.
6. Paulo Dybala
Age- 18
Club- Palermo
Position- Striker
PALERMO, ITALY – AUGUST 08: Paulo Dybala in action during a US Citta di Palermo pre-season training session at Campo Tenente Onorato on August 8, 2012 in Palermo, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)
Dybala, the 18 year old wonderkid from Argentina was linked to most of the powerhouses throughout Europe. The Manchester City target was taken by Palermo for a fee of 12 M€ from the Argentine club Instituto. The young striker signed a 4 year deal with the Sicilian club.
7. Lorenzo Insigne
Age- 21
Club- Napoli
Position- Striker
TRENTO, ITALY – JULY 23: Lorenzo Insigne of Napoli in action during the pre-season friendly match between SSC Napoli and US Grosseto on July 23, 2012 in Dimaro near Trento, Italy. (Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images)
Lorenzo Insigne is a renowned Serie-B player, who was in the limelight throughout last season. After a magnificent season with Pescara in the Italian Serie- B, the former Pescara player who was on loan, was brought back into the Napoli side. With the likes of Pandev, Hamsik and Cavani in the attack along with the upcoming Vargas, Insigne will ensure that Napoli do not miss Lavezzi. After enjoying a brilliant run of pre-season games, Insigne is the young player to watch this season.
8. Mattia De Sciglio
Age- 19
Club- A.C. Milan
Position- Defender
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 02: Mattia De Sciglio (L) of AC Milan and Giacomo Bonaventura of Atalanta BC compete for the ball during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 2, 2012 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
After a couple of appearances for the Rossoneri side, De Sciglio could be an important addition. A.C. Milan in the past few years have had miserable left-backs and are still looking to fill the void. De Sciglio may well complete the missing puzzle on the left flank that has tormented Milan in the recent past. At the age of 19, the left back has been a part of every level of the Italian youth team. He is agile, quick and can be employed at right back as well. Allegri’s team may have found the man at the left wing to be solid defensively and tricky offensively.
9. Philippe Coutinho
Age- 20
Club- Inter Milan
Position- Striker
COMO, ITALY – JULY 24: Correia Philippe Coutinho of FC Internazionale Milano looks on during the pre-Season training camp match between Calcio Como and FC Internazionale Milano at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on July 24, 2012 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Coutinho was bought by Inter during a brief span of Rafa Benitez. The young Brazillian had a brief spell before being loaned to Espanyol. Under the new Inter boss, this season could be Coutinho’s breakthrough season. Along with Ricky Alvarez, they could prove to be tricky customers in the attack. Coutinho offers pace and does possess a lot of skill that was missing in the Inter attack last season. He is an invaluable asset to Stramaccioni’s team and has looked promising in the pre-season games.
10. Paul Pogba
Age- 19
Club- Juventus
Position- Midfielder
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 11: Paul Pogba of Manchester United is challenged by Marc-Antoine Fortune of West Bromwich Albionduring the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on March 11, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
This list is incomplete without the iconic Paul Pogba. The former Manchester United midfielder joined the Turin champions in a free transfer that could well be the best transfer coup of the season. Pogba is young, highly talented and offers a lot of trickery. The French under-21 international has represented the Les Bleus in all the youth levels and has also been the captain of the under 21 side. Paul Pogba may well be a backup to the maestro – Andrea Pirlo and under his guidance, the world may well get to see one of the best players in the future.
The quality of Serie-A will definitely improve if these young prospects can go on and become world class players.