Serie A’s Best U21 XI
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We’ve previously taken a look at some of the best over 30 players in Serie A, in contrast to that we’ve taken a look at some of the most impressive U21 players in the league this season.
This list shows the impressive quantity and quality of the young players in Serie A right now. Players such as Paul Pogba, Paulo Dybala, Stephen El Shaarawy and Mauro Icardi among many others couldn’t make it because they are just too old.
I chose the oldest manager in the league for the over 30 XI, this time however, I have gone with Eusebio Di Francesco, who isn’t the youngest but one of the most promising managers in Italian football. He’s done a remarkable job at Sassuolo since taking charge 2012 and will go on to bigger things in the future.
GK - Giangluigi Donnarumma (16)
He’s 16 and 6ft4, that’s an impressive feat in it’s own right. But Gianluigi Donnarumma is much more than just a lanky kid, he’s also a brilliant goalkeeper.
He emerged last summer, on tour with the first team. He came on for Diego Lopez against Real Madrid for a penalty shoot-out and managed saved a Toni Kroos penalty. Impressive.
Donnarumma has now usurped the aforementioned Diego Lopez and is Siniša Mihajlović’s number 1, just to remind you, he’s only 16.
In a string of impressive performances (and by impressive I mean impressive, not just good for a youngster) he’s gone on to keep 6 clean sheets in 16 Serie A appearances.
In October he became the youngest ever goalkeeper to start a top flight game when he made his debut and holds the record for the youngest player ever to appear in a Milan derby. It’s only the start of his career, but if the early signs are anything to go by, he could well be as remarkable a ‘keeper as Buffon, if not more.
RB - Elseid Hysaj (21)
Elseid Hysaj followed Maurizio Sarri through the door at Napoli last summer, following a hugely impressive season at Empoli.
He’s a remarkably consistent player for such a young one and unlike many up and coming full-backs is very convincing on the back foot. That’s not to say he’s poor going forward though, he holds his width well and is regularly available down Napoli’s right flank, particularly when José Callejón makes his trademark runs from out to in.
CB - Daniele Rugani (21)
Despite not establishing himself at Juventus just yet, Daniele Rugani is very highly thought of by club and country.
Like Elseid Hysaj, Rugani made a name for himself at Empoli. He began his career at the Tuscan side in 2000, playing in the various youth levels until Juventus snapped him up in 2012.
The Italian was loaned back to his boyhood club for the 2013/14 and 2014/15 season, where he established himself as one of the best young defenders in Europe.
Calm on the ball and a good reader of the game it’d be a shock if Rugani doesn’t have a long career at Juventus, or any top club, for that matter.
CB - Alessio Romagnoli (21)
Alessio Romagnoli came to the fore in Serie A last season, on loan at Sampdoria from Roma.
He impressed so much that upon joining Milan from Samp, Siniša Mihajlović identified him as a key transfer target and persuaded the club’s hierarchy to spend €25 million on the youngster.
A robust defender and not wholly uncomfortable with the ball at his feet, Alessio Romagnoli is likely to be a big part of any success Milan may have in the future.
LB - Pedro Pereira (18)
Sampdoria’s Pedro Pereira has made just 9 Serie A appearances to date but has done enough to spur interest from Juventus and Leicester City, according to gianlucadimarzio.com.
Naturally a right-back, the Portuguese youth international is capable of playing on either side. Versatility is a useful quality for a youngster to have, it can lead to more game time, but can also mean a player doesn’t specialise in one position and can slow development, just ask Mattia Di Sciglio.
CM - Danilo Cataldi (21)
Danilo Cataldi was recognised as one of Italy’s brightest prospects last season, during his first campaign in Lazio’s first team.
While this season has been a poor one for Lazio, Cataldi has continued to impress in his 12 league appearances so far.
The Italian operates as a central midfielder and has a very well-rounded skill set suited to his position. Cataldi has a huge future at Lazio, and is possibly the heir to Lucas Biglia, both positionally and with the captaincy.
CM - Marco Benassi (21)
Marco Benassi has been a standout performer for Torino this season, his energetic style combined with impressive technique has proved a potent combination for the Granata.
He’s grabbed 3 goals in 21 league games this season including one of the best goals of the season so far, a Marco van Basten esque volley against Palermo.
CM - Piotr Zieliński (21)
It’s virtually impossible to pick out an underperformer in Empoli’s squad this season, one of their best however has been Polish midfielder Piotr Zieliński.
He’s a strong runner with and without the ball, that combined with his awareness and dribbling skills have lead him to create 35 chances in 22 league appearances this term, along with 4 assists and 2 goals.
He joined Empoli from Udinese (on a 2 year loan) primarily as an attacking midfielder. But at his new club has developed into a more orthodox central midfielder.
(stats from Squawka)
RW - Domenico Berardi (21)
Domenico Berardi is one of the brightest prospects in Europe, let alone Serie A. He’s been Sassuolo’s top scorer in their 2 previous Serie A seasons and is at the top of the scoring charts for his club again. He may have just 4 goals this season but he is one of Eusebio Di Francesco’s top providers, too.
If you want to find out more about Berardi, take a look at our player profile.
ST - M'baye Niang (21)
M’baye Niang has hit a rich vein of form at Milan and looks like he’s finally realising his potential. A good loan spell at Genoa for the second half of last season boosted his confidence, which has grown again since recovering from a metatarsal injury he suffered in pre-season.
He’s scored 3 in his last 3 for Milan and has been a great partner for Carlos Bacca. The two look capable of firing Milan back to where they should be, playing Champions League football.
Niang is a versatile player, capable of playing anywhere across the front line, where his frightening pace, strength and quick feet are most effective. His recent goal record suggests he is becoming more comfortable in front of goal and if he keeps it up he really could become a complete attacker. 8 goals and 4 assists in 18 appearances across all competitions this season is his current record and that looks set to increase considerably before the season draws to a close.
LW - Federico Bernardeschi (21)
Federico Bernardeschi burst onto the scene with a brace against Barcelona during pre-season. Since then he’s mainly been utilised as a right-wing-back by Paulo Sousa. He’s performed very well in Fiorentina’s 3-4-2-1 system and has developed a more balanced game as a result of his position change.
In the future we’ll definitely be seeing Bernardeschi playing higher up the pitch, probably on the right flank so he can cut in on his favoured left foot.
Bernardeschi doesn’t have the raw pace of his strike partners M’baye Niang or Domenico Berardi, that’s not to say he’s slow, though. The Italian’s strongest attributes are his dribbling and shooting but he’s also showed that he’s useful aerially, with a headed goal against Barcelona.
Honourable Mentions
Alex Meret (18) – GK, Udinese
Davide Calabria (19) – RB, Milan
Wesley Hoedt (21) – CB – Lazio
Assane Dioussé (18) – CM, Empoli
Assane Gnoukouri (19) – CM, Inter
Alberto Grassi (20) – CM, Napoli
Sergej Milinković-Savić (20) – CM, Lazio
Joaquín Correa (20) – AM, Sampdoria
Keita Baldé Diao (20) – LW, Lazio