The best young players in Italy Options

[JuveJay]

Another Aquilani stunner, this time against Siena:
(IMG:http://i5.tinypic.com/350pdlt.jpg)

Nice goal by Lavezzi, in Napoli's destruction of Udinese:
(IMG:http://i5.tinypic.com/350pdlt.jpg)
He is supposed to be the 'new Tevez'.

Chiellini's winning header against Cagliari:
(IMG:http://i5.tinypic.com/350pdlt.jpg)

Rosina with another goal in here, against Reggina:
(IMG:http://i5.tinypic.com/350pdlt.jpg)

[Google Bot]

[JuveJay]

Sebastian Giovinco (Empoli/Juventus) has been man of the match in the Italy U21's last two matches, and is drawing reported interest from CSKA Moscow for £10m.

Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli) is trying to play down comparison with the legendary Diego Maradona. That's what you get for being smaller, Argentine, gifted and play for Napoli, the lad does look very good though, he could be the difference between a good or average season for them.

If anyone has any other related young player news post it here.

[JuveJay]

Just about everyone in Italy is talking about Alessandro Rosina (Torino) these days, he could be a top world star if his career continues in this vain. Not bad for the Parma youth player who was allowed to leave for £2m. Torino will be fending off bids from everyone at the end of this season, watch this space.

[Tobinho]

If anyone has any other related young player news post it here.

Alexandre Pato scored a looping header during a good performance in his friendly debut as Milan drew 2-2 in Kiev.

(IMG:http://i5.tinypic.com/350pdlt.jpg)

[JuveJay]

Just to update this somewhat, Alberto Aquilani is now facing two months on the sideline with a muscle tear having been injured in the game against Man Utd. Shame for him because he was one of the star men, and he is in my fantasy team (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Apparently Barcelona had scouts watching Sebastian Giovinco and Andrea Raggi, two of Empoli's young stars in last nights UEFA Cup match. Giovinco is Juve-owned and it is unlikely they would sell for anything, even a massive fee, he is seen as a future regular.

Alessandro Rosina is still discussing a new contract with Torino, but many big clubs over Europe want him, imo he should try his luck at a big Italian side as Torino seem to be standing stil no matter what Cairo says.

[JuveJay]

Marek Hamsík has been linked to Man Utd for a second time after the young Slovakian's impressive start at Napoli.

Victor Obinna was involved in a 'miraculous' escape from death following a severe car crash, he suffered only several bruises. His future at Chievo is still uncertain with the player looking to leave Serie B in January.

Cristian Zapata has been a very solid performer for me this season, although Udinese's form seems to fluctuate and in a young defence he could do with an experienced head instead of being the leader.

[JuveJay]

Gig has his say on the goalkeeping situation;

Juventus custodian Gigi Buffon has hit out at the lack of opportunities for Italian goalkeepers in Serie A.

The talented shot-stopper believes that the giants’ dependence on foreign custodians is a problem for his Italian colleagues.

“They say that there is a lack of quality homegrown goalkeepers, but I don’t feel alone,” Buffon told La Stampa.

“There are excellent resources and Marco Amelia and Gianluca Curci, for example, have fantastic potential.

“The problem is the management of this talent. Curci wanted to leave Roma so that he could play more, but they wouldn’t let him.”

Buffon was thrown in at the deep end at Parma where he became their regular No 1 at the tender age of 18, but he feels he was the exception to the rule.

“I was lucky that when I was 18-years-old I asked to leave Parma to play first-team football, but they just gave me a starting place instead,” he admitted.

“We expect youngsters to be phenomenal immediately, but compared to 30 or 40 years ago it is much harder now as there are always foreign options.

“Alexander Doni started badly at Roma, but he was never given chances and has become a good ‘keeper.

“In the same way Fernando Muslera was humiliated for Lazio, but has been able to forget the 5-1 against Milan in a way that an Italian maybe couldn’t have.”

I'm not worried, with Curci, Amelia, Viviano, Mirante and Consigli we are better off than most countries. Goalkeeping is a crucial position though, teams tend to go for experience. They need to remember even the best started out somewhere young.

[mcb27]

do you know much about Gabriel Ferarri, Jay? i know he doesn't play much for Sampdoria, but was wondering if you've heard anything on him.

[JuveJay]

Yeah I know a bit about him, he came up in another thread on here a while back, American-Italian striker. He hasn't played at all I don't think this season but he is in the first team squad. Samp give a lot of time for home grown players and have many Italians so I am sure he will get some playing time soon.

[JuveJay]

Brescia's young keeper Emiliano Viviano has been linked to both Fiorentina and Milan, for around £7m.
Brescia have confirmed several teams are interested.

[lincoln]

How is Aquafresca (sorry for wrong spelling)?He is a young player from Inter,but is hired to some other team in the Serie A.

Gala was linked with him.

[JuveJay]

He is at Cagliari. He has big shoes to fill (Suazo) but he hasn't quite hit form yet, he has to cement his place in the team first. He should get goals with Foggia alongside him.

[JuveJay]

Lavezzi continues to set the world alight at Napoli with another goal in the 4-4 draw with Roma. Young teammates Gargano and Hamsyk also got on the scoresheet, Hamsyk was probably man of the match and scored the best goal, a real talentino.

[JuveJay]

How they are doing so far:

1) Yoann Gourcuff - Great skill but is struggling for form and chances in a Milan side who are underperforming in the league. Has been linked away but will get his chance. A loan is an outside possibility.

2) Raffaele Palladino - Has settled in at Juve recently and played on the right of midfield. Called up for the full Italy squad, he will play in the final game against the Faroes. Maturing.

3) Valon Behrami - A regular at Lazio, who are struggling somewhat in the league but close to qualifying in the CL.

4) Alessandro Potenza - Has stepped up at Fiorentina, but being kept out by captain Ujfalusi when he plays at right back.

5) Marco Motta - Under used in my opinion, however Udinese have a big squad. A regular for the Azzurrini.

6) Daniele Dessena - Skillful midfielder has been linked to Juventus again after some good displays, even linked to an Azzurri callup but the midfield is packed.

7) Antonio Nocerino - Growing with each game. Has played more than he would have expected, versatile, determined, the 'new Gattuso'.

8) Dias Felipe - Back now after injury problems, a rock for Udinese who are exceeding themselves and battling for a CL spot.

9) Marco Andreolli - Still waiting for his chance because of a seemingly unbreakable partnership of Mexes-Juan, may get it sooner as Roma ship more goals.

10) Giampaolo Pazzini - Now starting to take his chances, showing his poaching ability, future Italy No. 9.

11) Bosko Jankovic - Is getting itchy feet, should have played more as he has genuine class. A star at Mallorca but can't get a decent run in Palermo.

12) Stefano Okaka Chuka - Only 1 goal in Serie B so far, he is still adapting and it is a tough league for young players, should toughen him up.

13) Michele Canini - Only 4 appearances so far, a troubled campaign for Cagliari means they are going with more experience. Also gets injured frequently, otherwise he would be at a big club by now.

14) Marek Hamsyk - Excelling for Napoli, numerous big clubs are interested. Crucial goals and assists, destined for great things.

15) Giorgio Chiellini - The Juve warrior is playing excellently as a central defender, also a part of the full Italy squad these days.

16) Emiliano Viviano - Has been linked away from Serie B. Brescia are fighting clubs off but has been linked to top Serie A sides.

17) Leandro Grimi - A regular for Siena, another youngster in a struggling side but he has shown quality at times, improving.

18) Robert Acquafresca - Struggling to score the goals Suazo provided at Cagliari, a lot of pressure for a kid, doing well in a superior Italy U21 side.

19) Alessandro Rosina - The only top class player at Torino these days, I wonder how long they can keep hold of him.

20) Edison Cavani - Played less than he would have liked, given the Miccoli-Amauri frontline, but rarely disappoints.

21) Paolo Sammarco - Impressing in the midfield for Sampdoria, he has two goals already and looks to be developing into a useful central midfielder.

22) Fernando Forestieri - Yet to feature hevaily but one or two appearances, very young.

23) Matteo Paro - Solid play in a solid Genoa side, doesn't stand out because of his role but doing well.

24) Aleandro Rosi - Playing regularly at Chievo, who are one of the stronger sides in Serie B.

25) Anthony Vanden Borre -Used mainly as a sub or played in Europe so far. Another youngster at Fiorentina who has a bright future.

26) Domenico Criscito - Started many games at the beginning, made one or two rookie mistakes aside from some good performances, now second choice to Legrottaglie and Chiellini in the centre but could play at LB with Andrade out and Chie in the middle.

27) Alberto Aquilani - Playing superbly and scoring sensational goals until his injury, should be back soon. On his way to world class.

28) Asamoah Gyan - Dangerous, fast frontman often used as a sub given Udinese's quality up front.

29) Goran Slavkovski - Too young to feature in a star studded side.

30) Salvatore Foti - Hasn't been given a decent chance or taken it, a danger his promise could go unfilled. A loan would be ideal.

31) Francesco Lodi - Regular at little Frosinone, a good education for the fantasista on loan.

32) Samir Handanović - Vastly underrated, his keeping is one of the reasons Udinese are doing so well.

33) Cristían Zapata - Another key player in Udine, is destined for a massive club in the near future despite dispelling recent rumours.

34) Andrea Coda - A reserve to Felipe and Zapata at the moment but has enough quality to step in and play well.

35) Sebastian Giovinco - Impressing at Empoli but starring for the Azzurrini, everyone is talking about him and Juve will have him back soon. Set up 4 goals against Azerbaijan recently.

36) Papa Waigo N'Diayè - A couple of virtuoso performances so far but his usual erratic self, needs to win more games for Genoa who have been tailing off.

37) Claudio Marchisio - One of the few excelling in a struggling Empoli side. Shows great matureness as well as youthful energy, Juventus will recall him in 2008.

38) Arturo Lupoli - Yet to feature, behind several older and more experienced forwards.

39) Mourad Meghni - Yet to cement a place in a Lazio midfield which prefers athleticism to flair, behind Mauri but will be given games and has to impress as this is his last chance.

40) Francesco Pisano - Hardly given a sniff so far this season for one reason or another.

41) Fernando Damian Tissone - A key man in Atalanta's midfield, they have been playing well and as a midfielder he can take credit.

42) Ezequiel Lavezzi - Another youngster who has impressed at Napoli. Dubbed as a cross between Maradona and Tevez, he has performed excellently for a new player so young.

43) Victor Obinna - Only one goal so far in Serie B, still recovering mentally from his near-death road accident, and there is a long season ahead. Slightly grumpy at being in Serie B.

44) Ahmed Apimah Barusso - Largely a substitute for Roma. Serie B to the Giallorossi is a big leap but he will get more chances.

45) Riccardo Montolivo - A key player for CL chasing Fiorentina even at his age, the midfield creator, guarenteed a star studded career barring injury.

46) Raffaele De Martino - Not a regular at Udinese so far, restricted by the 4-3-3 and his lack of experience.

47) Michele Paolucci - Behind 3 or 4 strikers at Udinese, can score if given the chance and imo should be rotated with Floro Flores but yet to be a hit.

48) Daniele Paponi - Another Parma kid doing well, not quite on fire but playing in several games, growing all the time.

49) Alexandre Pato - Yet to feature, but he is being talked up by the Milan staff. We will see how well he can settle soon.

50) Samuel De Carmine - Scored in the Viola's win over Elfsborg, a good goal too, still young and behind quality forwards.

51) Luca Cigarini - Parma's 'new Pirlo', classy deep lying playmaker who has all of the big clubs wanting him. Would be sensible to mature at Parma for now.

52) Ondrej Mazuch - Hasn't played yet, still very young.

53) Gianluca Curci - Second choice in Roma, does well whenever called upon. Needs regular games.

54) Takayuki Morimoto - One goal in six is a good return for the young Japanese player who is apparently impressing everyone at Catania. Could be starting soon with Spinesi.

55) Antonio Mirante - Regular for Sampdoria, learning all the time.

56) Lorenzo De Silvestri - Rumoured to be impressing Arsenal, the dynamic fullback has shown to CL crowds what he can do and Lazio will need to fight to kepe hold of him, perhaps a regular for La Nazionale in the future at right back.

57) Aleksandar Kolarov - Has played in the CL and Serie A so far, he may be young but he is tall, strong and fast so he can settle quicker than most.

58) Paolo De Ceglie - Doing very well for Italy U21 but needs to settle in some more at Siena and hope they pick up form. Has two goals in eleven games from midfield/defence which is good, and one or two assists.

59) Walter Gargano - Has scored a great goal and impressed in a youthful Napoli side, doing well.

60) Reto Ziegler - Plays regularly for Sampdoria but perhaps not impressing enough to call it a good start.

[JuveJay]

Just for Ricky, Alexis Sanchez (Udinese & Chile) 'Joga Bonito' video, with an intro from one of his Utd legends: http://videos.golesenaccion.com/video.php?...20JOGA%20BONITO

Enjoy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[JuveJay]

And this is a reel from one match of Carlos Villanueva (Audax Italiano & Chile) who will move to Udinese in the summer : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_zJVQSgDos

He is a bit of a ball hog but the kid has skills, he should just learn to pass more. He's also a freekick specialist.

[Ricky]

Alexis Sanchez looks very good.

[JuveJay]

Yeah, they took him at 17, he is something of a wonderkid.

[DDK]

Howabout that slovakian lad at napoli hows he goin? looks like italy have a bright future, you should make a english version like this...

[JuveJay]

Hamsyk is doing very well, lots of scouts from bigger European sides are watching him but he isn't stupid, he knows he can develope well at Napoli.