As Serie A returns after a break of over 50 days, Stephen Kasiewicz looks to 10 promising players to watch in the second part of the campaign.
The days of veterans dominating Serie A are long gone as the average squad age in the Italian top flight now hovers around the mid-20s.
Lecce boast the youngest in the league with an average age of 24, while Inter and Sampdoria have the oldest players pools at 28.2 and 28.3 years, respectively. Budget constraints and expansive scouting networks have led clubs to shop in previously uncharted markets.
Zambia, South Korea, and Scotland are among the countries represented in the top tier of the game in Italy, while France (34 players), Argentina (21), Brazil (20) and Poland (20) continue to be favoured nations for fresh talent. Yet homegrown players continue to emerge and flourish in Serie A.
As the resumption of league duty nears, Football Italia examines 10 of the most promising young players in the league.
Marco Carnesecchi (Cremonese)
It’s only a matter of time until the 22-year-old goalkeeper is capped for Italy.
Outstanding in a winless Grigiorossi side, the on-loan Atalanta shot-stopper has prevented the newly promoted club from being stranded at the foot of the table.
The Rimini-born goalie showed why national team coach Roberto Mancini can’t ignore him in a first-class display of agility and composure as Cremonese held Milan to a goalless draw in early November.
Emil Holm (Spezia)
A forward-thinking full-back who specializes in recovery tackles, it’s no coincidence that the biggest clubs in Serie A have monitored the young Swede.
Although predominantly right-sided the 22-year-old can play on both flanks and scored once and provided two assists for Spezia before the World Cup.
Committed in the tackle and a constant attacking outlet on the overlap the Swedish international has all the attributes required to play at a higher level.
Josh Doig (Hellas Verona)
A superbly placed volley in a home loss against Udinese confirmed the left-sided Scot’s seamless transition to Italian football.
The former Hibs player, 20, has wasted no time in making his mark at the Gialloblu with two goals and two assists in just nine Serie A games.
Equally comfortable at left-back or in a more advanced role the former Hibs player is being tracked by a plethora of clubs after a number of eye-catching displays at bottom-placed Verona.
Fabiano Parisi (Empoli)
An embodiment of determination and tenacity, the 22-year-old left-back is a modern day representative of the old school of Italian defending.
Another success story to emerge from the Empoli talent production line, the Campania-born defender is on the verge of full international honours.
Never one to back down from a challenge he progressed from the fourth tier of Italian football at Avellino before establishing himself as one to watch out for at the Tuscan club.
Nicolò Rovella (Monza)
A technically accomplished midfielder with an unlimited passing range, the on-loan Juventus player has shone at Monza this season.
The Italy under-21 playmaker seems a ready-made starter for the Bianconeri yet has also been linked with English Premier League giants Manchester City.
An all-rounder capable of initiating and breaking up play, the 21-year-old looks destined for the very top at club and international level.
Lazar Samardžić (Udinese)
Despite limited playing time the German midfielder, 20, struck three times in 14 appearances as Le Zebrette challenged at the top of Serie A prior to the World Cup break.
A skilful dribbler with a proclivity for shooting from outside the box the former RB Leipzig player curled in a beauty at Napoli in mid-November and has been connected with a move to the Partenopei.
Samuel Iling-Junior (Juventus)
A graduate of Juventus Next Gen the English winger announced himself in style with a couple of excellent assists this campaign.
The 19-year-old signed a contract extension until 2025 after superb cameo displays in the Champions League at Benfica and away on league duty at Lecce.
Versatile, speedy, and skilful the teenager is part of an impressive youth movement which includes Fabio Miretti, Nicolò Fagioli and Matías Soulé at the Bianconeri.
Luka Romero (Lazio)
Serie A paused at the wrong time for the Mexican-born winger who netted the winner against Monza in early November.
An elusive dribbler with the kind of close control that has drawn comparisons with a number of modern-day greats, much is expected of the 18-year-old.
A prodigy after emerging as a youngster at Mallorca, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni included him in his senior squad in March.
Luca D’Andrea (Sassuolo)
It’s been a breakthrough season for the left-footed winger from Ponticelli.
Elevated into the first-team squad after impressing in the Neroverdi Primavera, the Italy under-19 international bagged an assist in a defeat at Atalanta.
Mainly used as an inverted winger on the right flank, the 18-year-old’s dynamism and nonstop approach have convinced Sassuolo coach Alessio Dionisi he can make the considerable step up to Serie A.
Lorenzo Colombo (Lecce)
In his third loan spell away from parent club Milan the 20-year-old striker has been instrumental in keeping the promoted Giallorossi away from the relegation zone.
A brilliant long range curler earned a surprise point at Napoli at the end of August while crucial strikes against Udinese and Sampdoria also proved profitable for Lecce.
The Italy under-21 international also laid on two assists and has developed into a more complete forward with regular playing time in the top flight.
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