With the season finale drawing closer, Calcio fans are once again poised to bid some of their favorite stars farewell. Whether they’re club captains, talismans or influential players, all stints eventually come to an end. As for the fans, the best they can hope for is to find adequate replacements who are able to tend their wounds. On some occasions, the alternative is already a part of club, slowly being groomed to take the torch from the departing star. So let’s take a look at the top five passing of the torch moments duos in Serie A this season.
5- Giorgio Chiellini – Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus)
We’re putting this one at the bottom of the list due to its uncertain nature at this point. After all, we’re still unsure whether Giorgio Chiellini wishes to remain at Juventus for another campaign or call it a day. And even so, Matthijs de Ligt’s future is always shrouded with mystery – mostly thanks to his notorious agent Mino Raiola.
Nevertheless, this passing of the torch moment would one of the most significant in Serie A, as the captain has been admirably serving the Old Lady for 17 years.
While it’s hard for the Bianconeri fans to imagine their beloved club without their colossal defender, the presence of the Dutch star would be a massive consolation for the grieving supporters.
4- Alessio Romagnoli – Fikayo Tomori (Milan)
At the end of season, Alessio Romangnoli will most likely be making his return to the Italian capital, but this time heeding the call of his beloved club Lazio.
Now surely Milan will be looking to replace their departing captain with a new signing, but truth to be told, Fikayo Tomori has been slowly but surely usurping the former Roma man since making the switch from Chelsea in January 2021.
The English center back has proved his prowess during his time in Italy, and the Rossoneri fans will be relieved to have a successor who is arguably an upgrade over his predecessor.
3- Paulo Dybala – Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
This one is a bit tricky considering the fact that Paulo Dybala is a second striker while Dusan Vlahovic is a natural-born-hitman.
Nevertheless, La Joya has been the toast of the town in Turin since 2015, and while Massimiliano Allegri will be hoping for new acquisitions, the Serbian center forward has now become the true center of the project.
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2- Lorenzo Insigne – Victor Osimhem (Napoli)
Reminiscent to the previous entry, this one features two forwards who play in different roles on pitch and we’ve already detailed the dynamics behind it in a previous article.
To put it lightly, Victor Osimhen has already dethroned Lorenzo Insigne, with the captain losing his status as the Partenopei’s ultimate star as he prepares to fade into the sunset known as Major League Soccer.
The Nigerian has become the southern city’s bonafide talisman thanks to his courageous displays, decisive goals and great dedication to the club’s cause.
1- Franck Kessié – Sandro Tonali (Milan)
For one reason or another, Franck Kessié has been unable to replicate the heroics that marked him as one of the best midfielders in Serie A last season.
Yet, Milan are still in the midst of the Scudetto battle despite the Ivorian’s shortcomings. That is [artially because Sandro Tonali rose to the task, becoming the Rossoneri’s most reliable performer in the middle of the park.
Thanks to the Italian’s exploits, the Diavolo fans are already looking past Kessié who is expected to sign for Barcelona as a free agent next summer, and are confident of Pioli’s ability to build a midfield around the former Brescia Golden-Boy.