Five Italian based footballers that would make an impact in the Premier League.
Italy may have endured a miserable World Cup like England did, but there is a sense that they are on the verge of uncovering a new wave of talent that can compare to the champions of 2006. Italian football often gets a bad reputation, but below is a list of five players that would drastically improve the English top flight and could tempt a number of clubs to make a move for their signatures.
Mattia De Sciglio – AC Milan
Position: Right-back, left-back, wing-back
Age: 21
Milan recently told their fans that De Sciglio, along with several other young members of the squad, would not be sold this summer, and though they surely intend to stick to their word they could be tempted to sell should they need to tighten their belts any further.
Comfortable on both sides of the defence, it is not hard to see why he has earned so many comparisons to Milan legend Paolo Maldini. Classy and calm, De Sciglio anticipates the game well enough to keep his slide tackles to a minimum, and can be clever and wily when in possession.
Would suit: Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool
Matteo Darmian – Torino
Position: Right-back
Age: 24
Darmian may not have been a household name in the UK before this summer, but following his torture of Leighton Baines at the World Cup he image sure that every football fan in the country knows his name now.
Darmian graduated from Milan’s youth system and made a handful of Rossoneri appearances as a teenager before moving to Padova, Palermo and finally settling in Torino.
Speedy and clever, he would give any side an extra dimension when attacking down the flank, and reports have suggested that Torino would be willing to sell for around £12m.
Would suit: Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Simone Scuffet – Udinese
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 18
Many in Italy have tipped Scuffet to become the long term successor to Gianluigi Buffon as the next goalkeeper to hold on to the number one jersey for the next 15 years, and he has already began to show why he is being so highly rated.
Having made 16 appearances last season when he stepped in to deputise for the injured Zeljko Brkic last term, his form earned him a call up to Cesare Prandelli’s World cup squad, though he never played.
Still living with his parents, Udinese are hoping to have him for the long haul after offering him a five-year deal, though the club have been known to cash in on their star players over the years.
Would suit: Everton, Manchester City, Tottenham
Rene Krhin – Inter Milan
Position: Centre-midfield
Age: 24
The Slovenian was an unsung hero of Jose Mourinho’s treble winning Inter side of the 2009/10 season, and though he hasn’t had much joy at the club recently he still has the potential to be a major force in world football.
He is an intelligent presence in the engine room, and his large stature is often something that belittles his excellent technical ability on the ball, and should he be given the opportunity in England he would be a difficult player to dislodge from thee team sheet.
Would suit: Aston Villa, Stoke, Tottenham
Antonio Candreva – Lazio
Position: Attacking midfielder
Age: 27
Another player that tormented Leighton Baines at the World Cup, Candreva has been a big figure for the Rome based club, and his future is bordering on a saga, much like Arturo Vidal at Juventus.
The 27-year-old can play as a right winger, inside-right or behind the strikers, he also has a thunderous shot and outrageous close control that is backed up by an unshakable confidence.
Many clubs are said to be interested in his services, but nobody has yet been willing to meet Lazio’s €35m release clause. However, should one determined side be able to talk them down then he would prove to be quite the coup.
Would Suit: Everton, Manchester United, Liverpool
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