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The Italian first division is looked at as one of the top 5 leagues across the world and certainly one of the most exciting ones too.
With footballing powerhouses such as Napoli, Roma, Lazio, Fiorentina and the Milan clubs looking to end Juventus' dominant run, many individuals find this league intriguing and exciting.
Each of these clubs possess star players and powerful managers, so every battle between them is watched with the utmost intensity. For this fantasy team, I would be using a 4-2-3-1 formation to incorporate the best players accordingly. Note that all the market values used in this article are derived from Transfermarkt.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnaruma (AC Milan)
19-year-old sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma is touted as the next big player to come out of Italy. The Milan goalkeeper has already made 106 appearances for the club and has attracted interest from big clubs all over the world.
He currently has a market value of €40m according to transfermarkt, which is expected to rise exponentially over the next few years. The Italian is also expected to be Italy's new man behind the sticks after legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon retired following their elimination in the FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff round.
Notable Exclusions: Thomas Strakosha (Lazio)(€20m), Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus)(€20m) and Alban Lafont (Fiorentina)(€18m)
Left Back: Alex Sandro (Juventus)
Alex Sandro has been a prominent figure in Italian football for quite some time now. Born in Catanduva, the Brazilian made his way through South America before making a name for himself at Porto, which earned him a move to the current Scudetto holders.
Sandro has a market value of €45m and is currently on the radar of French champions PSG as well as English giants Manchester United. He has been Juve's first choice left back since 2015 and is expected to remain with the Old Lady for the foreseeable future.
Notable Exclusions: Faouzi Ghoulam (Napoli)(€25m), Ricardo Rodriguez (AC Milan)(€15m), and Mario Rui (Napoli)(€14m)
Left Center Back: Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)
Kalidou Koulibaly is one of the toughest defenders to beat in the Serie A. He has been a rock in defence for the Naples club ever since penning a deal with them in 2014 from Belgian side KRC Genk.
The Senegalese player has a market value of €60m, which is just behind Samuel Umtiti and Raphaël Varane. Koulibaly has managed to attract interest from Chelsea and Real Madrid in previous years but has voiced his excitement in playing under Carlo Ancelotti this season.
Notable Exclusions: Alessio Romagnoli (AC Milan)(€40m), Mattia Caldara (AC Milan)(€25m), and Mehdi Benatia (Juventus)(€23m)
Right Center Back: Milan Škriniar (Inter Milan)
Milan Škriniar was not a household name until his exploits with Sampdoria made him world famous. Ever since his move to Internazionale, he's just been getting better.
The Slovakian International currently has a market value of €45m and Inter definitely doesn't want to see him go just yet. Manchester City was one of the many clubs who've expressed their interest in the centre-back, and it is no surprise as to why.
His skill and tenacity on the ball are envious to the avid football fanatic. He is expected to link up with Stefan de Vrij and Miranda in the centre of defence.
Notable Exclusions: Konstantinos Manolas (AS Roma)(€40m), Stefan De Vrij (Internazionale)(€40m), and Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus)(€35m)
Right Back: João Cancelo (Juventus)
João Cancelo transferred to Juventus this summer, making his stay in Italian football permanent after playing as a loanee last season for Inter Milan from Valencia CF.
The Portuguese crowd-puller has a market value of €35m, the highest for a right back in the current Serie A season. Cancelo will replace the outgoing Swiss captain Stephan Litchsteiner as Juve's first choice right back.
He can move up the field like Alex Sandro and provide support for his respective winger. He would be expected to make a mark for his new club and dazzle Turin fans with his skills on the ball.
Notable Exclusions: Alessandro Florenzi (AC Milan)(€30m), Sime Vrsaljko (Internazionale)(€25m), and Elseid Hysaj (Napoli)(€25m)
Left Central Midfielder: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio)
FIFA U-20 World Cup winner and full-time Serbian international Sergej Milinković-Savić gained a significant amount of fame and followers after revelating for Lazio in the past season.
The Serb's market value has risen to an astounding €90m this year after attracting interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and AC Milan, yet he is only the third most valuable player on this list!
Every football critic and pundits alike have been amazed by the type of skill and versatility the youngster had produced for the world to see thus, labelling him as one of the most valuable assets in world football currently.
Notable Exclusions: Marcelo Brozovic (Internazionale)(€35m) and Piotr Zielinski (Napoli)(€32m)
Right Central Midfielder: Miralem Pjanic (Juventus)
Miralem Pjanic is a key part of Juventus' midfield and everybody knows why. Ever since joining from AS Roma, Pjanic has stabilized and improved the Turin giant's midfield even further.
The Bosnian has a market value of €65m and has been the subject of interest from Barcelona and Manchester City in the past year. He has already made 28 assists and 15 goals in 92 Bianconerci appearances and would be linking up with either Sami Khedira, Emre Can or Blaise Matuidi in their quest for a record-breaking eight consecutive Scudetto.
Notable Exclusions: Marek Hamsik (Napoli)(€35m), Allan (Napoli)(€33m), and Blaise Matuidi (Juventus)(€30m)
Left Attacking Midfielder: Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli)
Lorenzo Insigne is a one-club man, representing SSC Napoli since his youth. Although he did represent Cavese, Foggia, and Pescara initially on loan spells, Insigne has never transferred permanently from the Partenopei.
He currently has a market value of €60m and has attracted interest from Chelsea and Real Madrid recently. Ancelotti is expected to base Napoli's style of play around the winger as they look to take the league title from Juventus.
Notable Exclusions: Ivan Perisić (Internazionale)(€45m), Keita Baldé Diao (Internazionale)(€30m), and Hakan Çalhanoğlu (AC Milan)(€27m)
Right Attacking Midfielder: Douglas Costa (Juventus)
Douglas Costa has represented some of the most exciting powerhouses in Europe. Shakhtar Donetsk, Bayern Munich and now Juventus. Although a traditional left winger by trade, Costa is known to play on the right side of the field as well, and the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo might make him play there permanently this season.
Costa has a market value of €55m and is expected to continue at Juventus as no clubs were scouting him this summer. Costa's pace and ability on the wings was a huge factor in Juventus retaining their title last season, and fans would definitely be excited to see him play again for the Old Lady.
Notable Exclusions: Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina)(€45m), Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus)(€40m), and Suso (AC Milan)(€35m)
Central Attacking Midfielder: Paulo Dybala (Juventus)
Argentinian sensation Paulo Dybala is touted as the best prospect coming out of the Serie A. The 24-year-old has a staggering market value of €110m, which is more than club record signing Cristiano Ronaldo!
He has been absolutely flamboyant on the ball ever since he joined the club and has quickly become a fan favourite in Turin and Serie A in general. Dybala hasn't managed to make an impact for the Argentine national team yet, but if he continues his sensational form in Italy, he might just get the chance to do so.
Notable Exceptions: Radja Nainggolan (Internazionale)(€45m) and Luis Alberto (Lazio)(€35m)
Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Cristiano's addition to this list means that there are six Juventus players in the most valuable eleven of the Serie A. No wonder they're currently dominating the Italian league!
The Portuguese legend has made history with Manchester United, Real Madrid and the Portugal national football team, winning many accolades in the process. Ronaldo has a market value of exactly €100m and is the second most valuable player in the league after the aforementioned Paulo Dybala. Ronaldo is certainly expected to light up the Serie A with his presence and his flamboyancy on the field.
Notable Exclusions: Mauro Icardi (Internazionale)(€95m), Gonzalo Higuain (AC Milan)(€55m), and Ciro Immobile (Lazio)(€50m)
Final Starting XI
Note to Reader
Certain players listed on the notable exclusions list like Mauro Icardi and Gonzalo Higuain have a higher market value than most of the players on this list, but this list considers the most valuable player in each position based on the formation I had decided to use, and so they didn't make the final lineup.
