As the years have passed, the Italian top-flight never fails in the production of youth. Every season a new breed come from the shadows who showcase raw talent in an attempt to prove their worth on the world stage.
After the breakthrough of teenage phenom Gianluigi Donnarumma, Torino’s Marco Benassi and Daniele Baselli, coupled with the centre-back trio of Alessio Romagnoli, Daniele Rugani and Adam Masina, observers are always looking for the new waves of talented youngsters coming through the competition.
With the new Serie A season approaching, Outisde90’s Nicholas Durbano takes a look over five young players who are set to forge their own path with a breakout 2016-17.
Suso
Is this the year the much hyped Spaniard comes into his own?
After breaking onto the scene for Liverpool in 2012, the talented winger has never been able to take his game to that next level. Starved for opportunities under Fillippo Inzaghi and Sinisa Mihajlovic, he set off on a loan deal to Genoa for the second-half of last season. During that time, he was partnered with Leonardo Pavoletti, where he scored six goals and averaged a rating of 7.03 according to whoscored.com.
He turns 23 in November and with Milan lacking depth and a solid preseason thus far, this may be the time he cements his spot in the Rossoneri starting squad.
Bryan Cristante
It was not long ago when Bryan Cristante was one of the most hyped teenagers in world football.
After shockingly being sold by Milan in 2014 to Benfica, he has struggled to make a profound impact. After spending last season at Palermo on loan, he joins the newly promoted Pescara – on loan once again. With Delfini having the aim to stay up after a successful Serie B campaign, he will look to stamp his position in the side. There have been glimpses of what he can do at his best – on debut for Milan, he scored a cracker from outside the box and was instrumental in a 3-0 victory.
A favourite of Max Allegri and still only 21-years of age, his career is just getting started and Pescara may be his platform.
Piotr Zielinski
Talk about bursting onto the scene in the offseason.
A superb Euro 2016 with Poland has him has jetting off to the Amalfi coast to join Napoli. After his campaign in France on the national stage, he saw an influx of interest from clubs such as Milan and Liverpool. A £16 million move for the youngster has seen the expectation on his shoulders rise extraordinarily.
At only 22-years of age, he could be one for the future. A solid season with a Serie A contender would not harm his chances one little bit.
Gianluca Lapadula
Could this be Italy’s Jamie Vardy?
A relative unknown after last season and now signing for one of Italy’s biggest sides on a lucrative contract. 21 goals for Teramo in Lega-Pro during the 2014-15 season, backed up by a 30 goal run for Pescara last campaign has seen him join the Rossoneri. At the age of 26, he has rapidly risen to the summit of Italian football and is now set to play a leading role in their attempted return to Europe.
Pescara have been known for the superb talent coming through their ranks. Marco Verratti, Lorenzo Insigne and Ciro Immobile anyone?
With Carlos Bacca set to exit, could Lapadula follow the lead of Vardy and have his own ‘la festa’ in the fashion capital? The world will be watching.
Rolando Mandragora
Another Pescara talent, another looking to take the next step.
Juventus signed the 19-year-old from Genoa for an outstanding €6 million, with the potential to reach €12 million over five years. With the Old Lady stacked in terms of midfield talent, a loan deal looks on the cards.
A stint at a lower ranked Serie A side may be the best move for his career in the short term, with a Juventus spot still firmly on the cards down the track.
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