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The strike in Italy means we will have to wait until the second week of September for Serie-A to start. Here’s a look at 10 youngsters who will be setting the stage on fire in Italy this season.
1. Erik Lamela
Erik Manuel Lamela was one of the top targets in the summer mercato. While most of the powerhouses in Europe were having him on their radar, Walter Sabatini’s Roma came out on top. He has been a part of the under 20 Argentina National team, also having capped an appearance for the senior team. Being a regular starter for River Plate, he was an influential player in their 2010-2011 league campaign.
Although helping them to qualify for the Copa Sudamericana, River Plate were still relegated to second division owing to the new rules that accounts for the club’s success in the past three seasons. Notching 4 goals in his 34 appearances for River Plate, Lamela joint Roma for a fee of 12M€. He could play an important role in Roma’s campaign. He is normally a “tresquartista” but can also be employed on the flanks or deeper at centre midfield.
He does possess a great mind for beautiful passing, primarily being known for his creativity. At the age of 19, he has taken a big step to Roma. We will have to wait and watch for Enrique to nurture his talent and bring him out as one of the world’s finest players. He has often drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi owing to their similar style of play.
Age-19
Club-A.S.Roma
Position-Attacking midfield
2. Fabio Borini
After a disappointing tenure at Chelsea, Borini was loaned to Swansea City. On scoring 6 goals in 9 appearances, he helped Swansea seek promotion to the top division in England. After making a good impression in the Toulon Tournament, Borini decided to move back to his native country, signing for Parma.
He is naturally a poacher, who has a great eye for goal. Borini being a very good finisher, does not possess a great physical presence. Franco Colomba’s Parma could now be depended on Borini’s consistency.
Age-20
Club-Parma F.C.
Position-Centre Forward
Fabio Borini in Italy colours.
3. Cristian Pasquato
Cristian Pasquato has been a part of the Juventus primavera setup in the past. Although having a brief tenure with the Juventus senior team, he was loaned to Empoli. After a couple of seasons with Empoli in Serie-B, he would join Triestina and Modena on loan respectively. He is now brought back to the Juventus senior team managed by Conte.
Naturally a free kick specialist, Pasquato plays effectively on the left wing. He could play a useful role if Juventus are to employ a 4-2-4 formation. Nationally, he has been a part of the Italian Under-21 set up for quite some time. After having a good pre-season with Juventus, he has now cemented his place in the team. Normally a cut out winger, he does have good ball control added by immense technique and skills. He does have a good shooting accuracy. At the age of 22, this could be the biggest step towards making his career.
Age-22
Club-Juventus F.C.
Position-Left wing
Will Pasquato be the solution to the problems faced by Juventus on the flanks since the departure of Nedved and Cameronesi?
4. Diego Fabbrini
Diego Fabbrini aged 21 is a hot prospect for Italian football. Playing for Empoli for a couple of seasons, Fabbrini moved to Udinese. Already having capped an appearance for Udiniese recently against Arsenal, he has represented the Under 21 Italian National Team. Having his debut goal against Sweden, his best performance in national colours was in La-Nazionale’s 1-0 win over England.
He is a very good dribbler of the ball provided with great pace. Naturally a “trequartista”, Fabbrini can be employed on the wings as well.
Age-21
Club-Udinese F.C.
Position-Attacking midfield
Italy's Kaká-Diego Fabbrini
5. Luc Castaignos
Luc Castaignos moved from Feynoord to Inter Milan for a sum of 3 M€. A gifted striker he is, Castaignos has been a part of Feynoord’s set up for a couple of seasons. Having scored 15 goals in his 34 appearances, he drew the attention of top clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
This looks to be Gasperini’s signing of the season, Castaignos comes with a reputation tag. Highly rated by many, he set a stage in the Under 17 European Championship conducted in Germany. He guided Netherlands to the final of this tournament where they would be runners to the hosts Germany. He was the top scorer in this tournament and was drafted into the team of the tournament. Having featured in most of Inter Milan’s pre-season games, he plays an important role in Inter’s campaign.
Age-18
Club-Inter Milan
Position-Striker
Luc Castaignos signs for Inter
6. Stephan El Shaarawy
Stephan El Shaarawy has joint 2010-2011 Scudetto winners A.C.Milan. Having played for a brief time at Genoa, he was loaned to Padova in Serie-B. After a season with Padova, Genoa agreed for a co-ownership deal with Milan.
Naturally an attacking midfielder, he is effectively known for his acceleration and incisive passing. He is a very skilful player to have come across. He has been a part of the Italian National team youth set up. Having played in national colours at Under 17 and Under 19 level, this could be the turning point in his career.
Age-18
Club-A.C.Milan
Position-Attacking Midfield
Stephan El Shaarawy
7. Gabriel Torje
Gabriel Torje was confirmed to have made a move to Udinese. He has moved from Dinamo Bucharest to the “Bianconeri”. Torje termed as “The Romanian Messi” is naturally a winger. He plays on the right flanks, often exchanges flanks and moves to the left flank.
He has already had 10 caps for the senior Romanian team scoring a goal as well. In his 107 appearances of Dinamo he scored 17 goals. He does have a great technique and is very skillful, also possessing great pace and creativity. Udinese seemed to have replaced a promising Alexis Sanchez with a prospect in Gabriel Torje.
Age-21
Club-Udinese F.C.
Position-Winger
Can Gabriel Torje be the replacement to Alexis Sanchez?
8. Marco Davide Faraoni
Marco Faroni has been a part of the Inter Milan youth set up for quite sometime. Gasperini has decided to field him in the senior team. With Maicon ageing, he could perfectly fit in his role. Faroni has usually been employed as a wing midfielder in Gasperini’s 3-4-3 formation. He has been a part of all the youth set ups of the Azzurris. Naturally a right back, can be used anywhere on the flanks.
Age-19
Club-Inter Milan
Position-Right back
Marco Faroni
9. Alexander Merkel
Alexander Merkel moved to Genoa from A.C.Milan on a co-ownership deal. The arrival of El Shaarawy meant Merkel to be swapped with him to Genoa. Merkel although having descended from Kazakhstan decided to play for Germany where he started his career with Stuttgart.
On leaving Stuttgart he joint Milan with whom he won the Scudetto and also reached the semi-final of Coppa Italia. Merkel is a centre midfielder who has played in the UEFA Champions League. With Genoa, now he targets the Europa League spot.
Age-19
Club- Genoa F.C.
Position-Centre Midfielder
Merkel is now at Genoa.
10. Bojan Krki?
Bojan Krkic decided to re-unite with La Masia’s former coach Luis Enrique. Bojan moved to Roma for a fee of 12M€. He looks to be the finest signing Enrique has made so far. Bojan has featured in many of Roma’s pre-season games. In the Europa League qualifiers against Slovan Bratislava, he was named the captain of Roma’s first official game. Although Roma could not get past Slovan Bratislava, Bojan has made an impact with Roma.
Bojan is a quality striker whose finishing and pace is something Roma mostly needed. He is a very versatile player and can be used at various attacking zones. Naturally a striker, he can be employed on the flanks as well. He is the fulcrum in Roma’s attack and with Totti he can definitely grow into a better player.
Age-20
Club- A.S.Roma
Position-Forward
Bojan to be the Capocannoniere?
The quality of Serie-A will definitely improve if these young players become world class.
