A Serie A summer with an eye to the future

These are the players who feature in the summer, when the first-team regulars are resting after the World Cup, or perhaps taking time off to get married. They are the rising stars of the Primavera, scouted across all leagues. They make the headlines in July, during the friendlies organised at mountain training camps, and fade from view between August and September, when the big names return: and these formidable 16- and 17-year-olds, if they’re lucky, spend the winter in under-age tournaments or fight for a place on dry-loan deals far from home. Perhaps never before have the unexpected names, the third-tier transfer coups and the future prospects – who aim to create a few pleasant headaches for their coaches but often turn out to be flash in the pan – shone so brightly in football under the sun as they have this year: a year ago, around this time, Vakoun Bayo’s first steps at Udinese hinted at great things to come, which were never realised. Yet at times, unpolished talent emerges from the cracks; just as one cannot halt the ocean or enclose it, so too do clubs’ plans – and notably their transfer budgets – go out the window when sporting directors and managers gloat upon discovering they have a free solution on their hands.

The signing of Swedish player Adrian Lahdo was specifically requested by Cesc Fàbregas, whilst Riccardo Cassano was born in Como and has come through the ranks: both know they are up against stiff competition in a midfield that is star-studded by today’s Serie A standards; but they also know that the pecking order can change if the manager is someone capable of giving players a chance and defying the wishes of agents. So Lorenzo Torriani is no longer a new face at Milan, but his performances in high-profile friendlies, the penalty he saved from Bruno Fernandes and other impressive displays against Manchester United are leading Ruben Amorim to entrust him with the role of second-choice goalkeeper behind the temperamental Mike Maignan following the World Cup, edging out the experienced Pietro Terracciano for the spot. Sport is for the young, isn’t it? And whilst Maurizio Sarri is grappling with Lazar Samardžić’s move back into defence – mirroring the role change already implemented for Gianluca Gaetano – he also has a few fresh options at his disposal, ready for action: such as winger Federico Cassa (Marco Palestra’s competitive ‘twin’), having, moreover, chosen to send local lad Dominic Vavassori to Palermo.

The opening day of the Coppa Italia also highlights Parma’s shrewd move, as they capitalised on Milan Futuro’s mismanagement to snap up Simone Lontani, who scored the brace that knocked out Catania, having taken part in all of the Crociati’s ‘joint training sessions’ from the outset. And by now, it is not just the most die-hard Inter fans who have come to recognise the gems of the Nerazzurri’s youth academy – one of the most prolific and consistent in Italy: Leonardo Bovio, a centre-back, will learn from John Stones and Manuel Akanji whilst serving as cover for the first team, and striker Matteo Lavelli and Slovenian central midfielder Luka Topalović – who have similarly been key figures during these intense weeks – are hoping for the same. For its part, Juventus is enjoying the development of Justin Oboavwoduo, a complete forward who has scored against Nice and looks set to be the next source of profit for a club that has failed (or, worse still, chosen) to retain its home-grown talents from Vinovo, whilst elsewhere top clubs and UEFA regulations make such players a source of pride. 

Even those fighting relegation, such as Lecce and Venezia, are ready to make way for the brand-new arrival: Hjalte Lærke is Pantaleo Corvino’s latest gift to Eusebio di Francesco, who is considering the promising young Dane as cover for the wing-backs. Meanwhile, Ale Gomes Furtado, an 18-year-old whom the Venice-based side have signed from Zaragoza, will step in should the first-choice wingers slip up, confirming that a place in the team is not beyond his precocious talents – qualities capable of thrilling spectators during Falcade’s performances. And whilst some might not be considered a one-hit wonder – Alessio Cacciamani is one of Torino’s few assets, Victor Valdepeñas, passing through Florence before returning to Real Madrid – the oracles predict a decent impact from Genoa’s Franz-Ethan Meichtry and from Cagliari’s ‘green’ line-up, where Fabio Pisacane certainly has no qualms about relying on the 20-year-old playmaker Alessandro Romano, also Swiss, and the attacking duo of the same age, Paul Mendy – Yael Trepy, who impressed during May’s lacklustre finale. Is this just for now, or not?