The best young players in Italy Options

[JuveJay]

Indeed Sophie, one of the best things about calcio is the number of Italian players who get a chance to play at the top level.
Atalanta are a prime example, they have one of probably the top 3 youth academies in the world, Serie A is scattered with their players.
The same goes for other sides, but to a lesser extent. I think the co-ownership deal is a big factor in this, as even the big sides full of 20 internationals can send players out to other Serie A and B sides and they can come back better players if they are good enough or given the right chances.

An odd exception to the rule is Udinese, who have this worldwide network of scouts and they seem to be able to grab gems from all four corners of the planet. However they also have a core of Italians, so it is a good mix.

[Google Bot]

[sophie]

I just have a teeny complaint about your list. Now I know you can't include every single player, but why is there no Gianluca Curci in your list? U21 Goalkeeper, and touted as being the next Buffon...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grin.gif)

[Funki]

Heh. I was going to mention goalkeepers. There seems to be not much talk about up and coming ones.

[JuveJay]

I was going to include more, I could have included Mirante and Curci as well, perhaps we could extend it to top 75 if you come up with enough suggestions (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[JuveJay]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/grin.gif) More you say?


51) Luca Cigarini - Parma

(IMG:http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/serie_a_2007/risorse_calcio/foto_calciatori/parma/giocatori/cigarini_luc.jpg)

21-year-old Cigarini is a playmaker who likes to orchestrate the play from just in front of the defence. Technically assured, he is comfortable with both feet and possesses a lethal shot from distance. His style of play is often compared to that of Andrea Pirlo.
He plays this midfielder role for both Parma and the Azzurrini.
He is one of the youngest notable youth products in the current Parma squad, alongside Daniele Dessena and Daniele Paponi.
He signed a new five year contract with Parma in summer 2007.


52) Ondrej Mazuch - Fiorentina

(IMG:http://www.kickeronline.ro/files/MazuchOndrej.jpg)

At 6'3" and thirteen stone, Mazuch is a beast of an eighteen-year-old. He has impressed scouts in the last six months with his displays for the Czech Under-19 side. Having been rumoured to join many big clubs around Europe (the central defender was reportedly close to signing for both Bayer Leverkusen and then Arsenal) it was Fiorentina who eventually brought both Mazuch and teammate Jan Hable from Brno in their homeland.
He will not play regularly this season in a defence packed with experience, but he is one to look for over the coming seasons.


53) Gianluca Curci - A.S. Roma

(IMG:http://www.gianlucacurci.it/2006-07/images/foto_10.jpg)

Curci is a product of the world famous A.S. Roma youth academy. At only 19, he became the club's first choice goalkeeper for the second half of the 04/05 season after injuries to fellow goalkeepers Ivan Pelizzoli and Carlo Zotti. Despite being replaced in the 05/06 season by new Brazilian keeper Doni, great things are still expected of him. Some are even calling him the next Gianluigi Buffon as the youngster excelled as goalkeeper for the Under 21 side until he passed the age limit.
Curci wil have to bide his time at Roma, and it may be that a loan move away will suit him. Either way, Curci is battling with Livorno's Marco Amelia to be the immediate replacement for Buffon when he retires, however this is still some years away.


54) Takayuki Morimoto - Catania

(IMG:http://www.sanspo.com/soccer/japanese/morimoto/image/profile.jpg)

Morimoto burst onto the football scene aged just 15 when he made his debut for Tokyo Verdy 1969 in May 2004. Just days before his 16th birthday he scored his first senior goal against Jubilo Iwata, both are J-League records. Later that year he was awarded the J-League young player of the year award and drew attention from many European scouts. It was Catania who brought him to the continent on a one year loan deal from Verdy in 2006 and despite a serious injury that ruled him out for a large part of last season, the striker impressed his Italian employers greatly, and they made the move a permanent one in the summer of 2007.
Likened to Brazilian legend Ronaldo for his physical appearance, explosive style and finishing technique, we will see Morimoto in many more cameo roles this season with the Sicilians. Now 19, Morimoto already has Serie A experience behind him and he is ready to surpass Shunsuke Nakamura as the most successful Japanese export to the peninsular.


55) Antonio Mirante - Sampdoria

(IMG:http://goal.com/resultsimg/3015.jpg)

Now 24, the Neopolitan native has seized his chance to star for a competitive Serie A side having spent the previous years on the bench at Juventus and on loan to smaller first and second division clubs.
Perenially benched behind Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon at Juve, Mirante first shot to prominence at Tuscan side Siena in the 2005-06 season where several virtuoso performances kept the struggling side in the game and division. The following summer saw many top division sides interested in his services, but following Juventus' demotion in the aftermath of the Calciopoli scandal and the ensuing uncertainty of Buffon's future, the club kept hold of Mirante for the Serie B campaign and he did well in his handful of games.
Now in Serie A and with the goalkeeping positions certain, he finds himself on loan at Sampdoria where he will be keen to make his mark in both Serie A and in Europe.

[JuveJay]

56) Lorenzo De Silvestri - S.S. Lazio

(IMG:http://www.gazzetta.it/speciali/risorse_calcio/foto_calciatori/lazio/giocatori/de%20silvestri_lor.jpg)

19-year-old De Silvestri is a very promising defender who was given a chance due to the fallout from Lazio's financial crisis. A product of their youth side which also includes the impressive Italy U-19 captain Alessandro Tuia in the centre of defence, the right back was promoted to the A team of the club, but it was first in 2007 that he got the chance to play. He came on twice as a substitute, and he impressed with a offensive style of play showing excellent natural pace. The season of 07-08 will probably be even more successful for Lorenzo, as he now will be the second choice right back for Lazio, behind Lionel Scaloni who is ten years his senior. However it won't be long before De Silvestri claims the shirt as his own and continues in the legacy of attacking fullbacks left by Massimo Oddo.


57) Aleksandar Kolarov - S.S. Lazio

(IMG:http://www.uefa.com/ml/images/players/under21/220X220/105814.jpg)

This Serbian 21-year-old plays as a left back and has represented Serbia at Under-21 level.
Kolarov has been nicknamed the 'Serbian Roberto Carlos' due to his long-range strikes, surging forward runs and similar free-kick abilities to the Brazilian footballer, as seen in the decisive goal scored in the 2007 Under-21 semi-final match against Belgium. Kolarov also has good size, unlike the Brazilian dynamo. He formerly played for FK Čukarički and OFK Beograd before signing a four-year deal with Lazio in 2007, the team he attests to have long supported. He was named in the 'UEFA Team of the tournament' of the 2007 Under-21 European Championship held in the Netherlands where the Serbs finished second. Kolarov has also been compared to fellow Serb Sinisa Mihajlovic for his great free kicks.


58) Paolo De Ceglie - Siena

(IMG:http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/serie_b_2007/risorse_calcio/foto_calciatori/juventus/giocatori/de%20ceglie_pao.jpg)

Seen my some as the heir to Pavel Nedved at Juventus, the left sided 20-year-old will spend the season at provincial side Siena where he will be hoping to get many games under his belt. Given the impending retirement of the Czech legend over the next couple of seasons, the young Italian Under-21 international has a real chance of grabbing a place in the Juventus side if he impresses enough.
A left midfielder by nature with a great engine, excellent crossing ability and decent shot, De Ceglie can also play as a wingback or fullback and impressed in his appearances last season in Juve's Serie B campaign, even scoring as a substitute against Lecce with an angled drive.
One of the standout players in the last two Primavera championships, hopefully he can find a place amongst the experienced players at Siena.


59) Walter Gargano - Napoli

(IMG:http://www.danubio.org.uy/plantel_archivos/2006gargano1.jpg)

A much sought after midfielder from the reknowned youth ranks of Uruguayan giants Danubio, Gargano recently joined Napoli for a fee of around £2m and fans at the San Paolo will be hoping he is another South American import to make an impact.
23-years-old but already a regular in the full Uruguyan national team, Gargano can play in numerous midfield positions. His small frame and high workrate enable him to buzz around the pitch constantly, and also he has a great ability to find room in very small spaces.
Highly recommended by compatriot and new teammate Mariano Bogliacino, we will see plenty of the little centrocampista this season.


60) Reto Ziegler - Sampdoria

(IMG:http://www.ismaundpartner.ch/ctrb_daten/spieler_ziegler.jpg)

An already experienced player at 21-years-old, this Swiss left midfielder has five season of preofessional football under his bet. He became soght after as an 18-year-old at Grasshoppers Zurich where he was a first team regular. His cavalier attacking style, cultured left foot and powerful long-range shot convinced Tottenham Hotpsur to sign him in 2005 after he decided not to renew his contract at Grasshoppers. Also capable of playing at left back, the teenager became a regular in the first team of the Premier League side under Jacques Santini. However the arrival of new coach Martin Jol coincided with a lack of playing time, and following two unsuccessful loans to Hamburg and Wigan Athletic he ended last season on loan at Sampdoria. Playing fifteen times and scoring once, Ziegler convinced the Genoans to sign him on a permanent deal.
Sometimes criticised for his poor attitude, Ziegler stated on arrival at Sampdoria that he enjoyed life on and off the field better than in England. This may be his final chance to make an impession in a top league and gain a regular place in his national side.

[JuveJay]

Whenever one of these young players does something of note in Italy this season I will add a note, so we can follow their progress.

[DDK]

Woah superb thread JuveJay great work. If only someone oculd do it for the English and Spanish.

[Ricky]

Woah superb thread JuveJay great work. If only someone oculd do it for the English and Spanish.

Not sure about Spanish but the thing about English is that they simply won't get a chance. Managers like Sven would rather buy some random French player than let his English kids play.

[DDK]

Not sure about Spanish but the thing about English is that they simply won't get a chance. Managers like Sven would rather buy some random French player than let his English kids play.

Umm... Logan,Richards,Johnson all played last week as well as their youth keeper Kasper.....

[Ricky]

Umm... Logan,Richards,Johnson all played last week as well as their youth keeper Kasper.....

Tell me: besides Micah Richards, are you gonna say any in that list are going to be any good? Plus Schmeichel is hardly English?

[DDK]

Tell me: besides Micah Richards, are you gonna say any in that list are going to be any good? Plus Schmeichel is hardly English?

Kasper came throught heir youth system and it was in the papers they were thinking of calling him up for the english under 21's. And I cant predict the future Im not sure how Johnson and Ishmael Logan will turn out, they got potential especially Daniel Sturridge.

[Italy4x]

Juve have a good list of players in there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grin.gif)

[Thor]

Kind of sad that there are none of any Catania players. I love Catania and defintely would love to get a hat, prefirably Armando Pantanelli's.
Nevermind, I see my man Morimoto though. He should be good in the future if he hopefully stays with Catania.

[JuveJay]

I could add Juan Vargas too mate.

BTW can we stick to topic, I might trim this thread a bit so don't get upset if your posts disappear.

[JuveJay]

Rosina great chip goal v Lazio (week 1):

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

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheers.gif) Shame he plays for Toro, not much longer I hope (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon_mrgreen.gif)

[JuveJay]

Aquilani amazing goal v Palermo (week 1):

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

[Ricky]

Wow, those 2 are both real beauts.

Please post clips of Qua...(spelling) if you see any good ones in the future, I would love to learn more about this player.

[JuveJay]

I will in his thread: http://football-chat.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=1765

He is still only 24, but an established player now so I didn't include him.

[JuveJay]

Some more players to look out for:

61) Daniele Cacia - Fiorentina - Striker
62) Juan Vargas - Catania - Left-back
63) Simone Padoin - Atalanta - Central/left midfield
64) Marco Mancosu - Cagliari - Central midfield
65) Alessandro Matri - Cagliari - Forward
66) Nicola Pozzi - Empoli - Striker
67) Attila Filkor - Inter - Attacking midfield
68) Francesco Bolzoni - Inter - Central midfield
69) Nico Pulzetti - Livorno - Central midfield
70) Will Aubemeyang - Milan - Striker
71) Erminio Rullo - Napoli - Left-back
72) Emil Hallfredsson - Reggina - Left midfield