Five Serie A wonderkids: SunSport takes a look at hottest young prospects in Italian football
With money drying up, Italian football is now a hotbed for young talent — with top clubs selling them on for major profit
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NOT so long ago, Italian clubs only signed the very best around.
The likes of AC Milan, Juventus, Napoli, Inter Milan and Lazio were regularly breaking each other’s world records to sign the hottest talent on the planet.
has become a hotbed for raw talent.
The 2016 philosophy is somewhat different — with clubs scouting the brightest young sparks and selling them on for a big profit.
Serie A is not the go-to league for teen talent, and here are the five biggest prospects.
Davide Calabria, 19 — AC Milan
A FULL-BACK who can operate on either flank — though he prefers the right side.
Physically very strong and extremely quick, Calabria also boasts a fantastic cross.
He has already establishing himself as a first-team player as he slowly replaces the ageing Iganzio Abate.
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Gianluigi Donnarumma, 17 — AC Milan
ITALY has a rich history of goalkeepers, and Donnarumma is already the youngest-ever to stand between the sticks for the national side.
He was Milan’s No.1 at the age of 16, and is already a target for the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Saved the first penalty of his career on the opening day of the season as he continues to improve.
Franck Kessie, 19 — Atalanta
DUBBED “the new Yaya Toure” — but isn’t fazed by the enormous tag.
The Ivorian international central midfielder has scored an impressive six goals in six games so far this season.
Pep Guardiola has been rumoured to be keeping a close an eye on Kessie. Now, just why would he need a new Yaya Toure?
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Pol Lirola, 19 — Sassuolo
MOVED from Espanyol to Juventus and is enjoying a fruitful loan spell with Sassuolo.
The Turin giants see Lirola as an important player for the future — and eventual successor to serial winner, Stephan Lichtsteiner.
Could be set for a running battle with Hector Bellerin for the right-back berth in the Spanish national team.
Senna Miangue, 19 — Inter Milan
THE latest hot prospect to emerge from Belgium.
A Frank de Boer discovery — he is tally and agile and impressed the Nerazzurri staff from the beginning.
Miangue is a left-back by trade and is expected to play a big role for Inter this season.