Serie A is filled with a plethora of young players ready to light up the footballing world in years to come, including a number of Italian players who could lead the Azzurri back to the World Cup after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, as well as the upcoming 2022 tournament in Qatar. This includes names such as Samuele Ricci, Nicolo Rovella, Tommaso Pobega, Giorgio Scalvini and Mattia Viti. So, here is our list of five of the best Serie A young players in 2022.
1. Samuele Ricci (Torino, on loan from Empoli)
Two seasons with Empoli in Serie B was enough to build the hype around Ricci as Italy’s second division proves to be a great provider of talent. Perhaps a similar future of that of Marco Verratti and Sandro Tonali could be followed by the 20-year-old midfielder, currently on loan at Torino. Empoli have a history of producing high quality young talent, with the most famous being the legendary Antonio Di Natale.
Ricci is one of the most highly rated central midfield prospects in Italy and his ball retention is one of the key components in his game. He ranks seventh out of all Serie A midfielders this season in terms of pass completion and has a considerably higher pass completion than Nicolo Rovella and Tommaso Pobega – also on this list and two other Serie A midfield prospects.
Having had half a season in Serie A with Empoli, Ricci has joined Torino on loan with an obligation to buy clause. Despite starting only one match for Torino before April, the Italian has started in their last two matches and will look to continue his development as the season comes to an end.
2. Nicolo Rovella (Genoa, on loan from Juventus)
A current loan move from Juventus to former club Genoa for Nicolo Rovella has helped facilitate his development and given the 20-year-old key game time in Serie A. According to JuventusNews24, Rovella could be the next man in line to join Massimilliano Allegri’s squad next season, especially with the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Rodrigo Bentancur departing the Bianconeri in January.
CIES completed a list of the best performing youngsters in Europe, ranking Rovella at 47th out of 100. Looking at statistics, Rovella does not retain possession as well as Ricci but he is far more creative, completing 3.24 shot creating actions per 90 minutes this season, compared to Ricci’s 1.31. Interestingly, Rovella also wins more tackles per 90 than Ricci with 1.69 compared to 1.56, as well as averaging more pressures. Ricci is more of a progressive player than Rovella, completing 4.27 progressive passes per 90 compared to 3.38. Nonetheless, Rovella still exceeds Ricci in xA (expected assists) and key passes.
Rovella’s creativity could be key for Juve next season, depending on whether Allegri wants him in his squad. Nevertheless, he is certainly a player to keep an eye out for and certainly one of Serie A’s best young players.
3. Tommaso Pobega (Torino, on loan from Milan)
Another midfielder enters this list in the form of Tommaso Pobega who has impressed on loan at Torino this season from Milan. The 22-year-old has made 27 appearances in Serie A this season, also providing four goals and an assist. The Toro are keen on keeping the midfielder at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino but Milan are likely to bring him back to Lombardy as he becomes a part of Stefano Pioli’s side next season.
Pobega has similar ball retention skills to that of Rovella but is not as creative as the Genoa loanee. However, he still ranks higher as a creator than Ricci, with good statistics in key passes and and shot creating actions. Interestingly, Pogbega only slightly performs worse at progressive passes than Ricci, whilst leading the way out of the three central midfielders in passes into the final third per 90.
These statistics show that Pobega can do it all by offering qualities both lower and higher up the pitch and is a key player that can work within a flexible role. He could prosper as an understudy to both Ismael Bennacer and Sandro Tonali at Milan next season.
Good morning to all the granata fans☀️?
Powered by Pobega ? pic.twitter.com/jQVImWGwhN— Torino FC English (@TorinoFC1906_En) October 23, 2021
4. Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta)
At just 18-years-old, Giorgio Scalvini is the youngest player to make this list and his ability at such a raw age is certainly impressive. Scalvini has already started to break into Gian Piero Gasperini’s side and has featured 12 times in Serie A so far this season.
Being likened to Alessandro Bastoni at Inter, RB Leipzig head coach Domenico Tedesco has heaped praise on the young prospect ahead of their Europa League clash, stating that he is an imposing talent that looks like he already has a wealth of experience under his belt.
Scalvini joined La Dea’s academy at just 12-years-old and already earned his first senior call-up to the Italy national team earlier this year. Even with the limited data, it is clear to see the strong start Scalvini has made to his career. He ranks in second out of the Atalanta centre-halves for tackles won per 90, behind the experienced Jose Luis Palomino and third for interceptions per 90 behind Palomino and Merih Demiral.
5. Mattia Viti (Empoli)
Our final player in our list of five of the best Serie A youngsters in 2020 is Empoli’s Mattia Viti. The 20-year-old has made 17 appearances in Serie A this season and has helped his side to occupy 14th place in the league after their promotion from Serie B last season.
Juventus, Milan and Inter have all been linked with a move for the defender, showing how the young prospect is already impressing in his Serie A debut season. Inter reportedly made a €13 million bid plus add-ons for the Italian in January and could be set to launch another bid this summer, also allowing Viti to go out on loan for another season to continue his development.
Viti was also another played named in CIES’ study of the best performing young players this season and ranked in 26th in their list, ahead of the likes of Jamal Musiala, Valentino Livramento and Rovella.
Check out our list of the Top 10 Serie A Revelations this Season here for more content like this!