It is quite hard to believe that Daniele Rugani has had such an impact on Italian football in a short space of time. The 20-year-old grew up as a member of the Empoli academy, before being taken on loan by Juventus and spending time in their Primavera squad.
Rugani was the standout player during the 2013-14 season for Empoli, helping earn their promotion back into the Serie A for the first time in nearly five years.
Yet this effort was outshone by his performance during the latest campaign, incredibly playing every minute and even more surprisingly, not receiving one caution from the referee in the process.
The Bianconeri have somewhat rewarded this good form by purchasing the other half of Rugani’s co-ownership back in 2013, and this is where the transfer rumours begin. He is an ideal replacement for the aging Andrea Barzagli, should Juventus choose not to re-loan him to Empoli for the upcoming season.
Rugani’s achievements are all the more justified when you read into his philosophy on training, preparation and even his own education.
“I make a point of trying to perfect my technique, you never stop learning. I do additional training sessions alone, and I insist on using my left, my weaker foot. I have to work if I want to have a great future. I’ve got one year left to get a diploma in agriculture, and I want to finish. No snacks or junk food, that’s a very bad mistake,” he has said.
An amazing perspective on life and a career for any professional footballer, let alone one that has not even reached the age of 21.
He of course is born into the famous Italian football mentality of ‘catenaccio’, or door bolt, which many may find perplexing as to why an extremely talented centre-back is being celebrated in such a fashion and also being hailed as the next Paolo Maldini.
Rugani has plied his trade at every junior level of the national team from the under-17’s forward, even managing to score goals along the way.
In an era where ‘catenaccio’ is no longer as effective as it used to be, the likes of Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini and the recent rise of Leonardo Bonucci have have not been able to fill the void left by Maldini.
Rugani proved that he may be one very important piece of the puzzle for the Italian national team in the future by earning his first senior call-up for the recent 2016 European Cup qualifier against Croatia, and although he did not take to the pitch, he is very much a part of Antonio Conte’s plans for the future.
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The eventful season for Rugani does not end there. He will don the Azzuri shirt once again for the upcoming under-21 European Championship in the Czech Republic, where the team will be facing the likes of Sweden, Portugal and England. Massimiliano Allegri will sure to be in the back of his mind during the tournament.
Juventus fans will be hoping that he is given a chance to prove himself. The Serie A can ill afford to be robbed of another young talent that spends most of his time sitting on a bench.
Talented young defenders are a rare commodity for Serie A teams nowadays. Juventus and their coaching staff have a gem on their hands, if nurtured correctly. The next 12 months could signal the emergence of Rugani, who will be closely monitored by a host of top European clubs.
Again, it is another classic case of watch this space.
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