5 potential stars for the 2015/2016 season – Serie A
Continuing from Sam’s five potential stars for the new Premier League season, I will introduce you to the next batch of players. This time we’re taking a look at candidates for the Serie A, a league that’s slowly recovering from a river of red ink but definitely not lacking quality players.
The Brazilian forward has had a good start to this new season for his club. Scoring six goals in the first six games of Serie A football. Éder has shown his quality in the past but seems to thrive in his new position as a striker next to his partner Muriel. The latter was signed on a permanent in summer from Udinese Calcio. Sampdoria’s further business was bringing in the likes of Fernando, Duncan and Moisander. The club also had to replace their manager Sinisa Mihajlovic, who’s followed an offer from the Rossonieri after two years of continuous improvement at Genoa. His replacement is Walter Zenga, long-time goalkeeper for the Azzurri and one of the best in football history.
Éder has made his move to FC Empoli in 2006, as a 19 year old from Criciúma EC. He was transferred across Italy several times, never being able to convince his former clubs and finally settling at Sampdoria in 2012. The Brazilian had shown great performances last season, thus earning him a call up to the Italian national team. This decision was not well received in Italy as Eder isn’t Italian but Conte replied: "If Mauro Camoranesi, born in Argentina, was allowed to help Italy win the 2006 World Cup, then why can't Éder and Franco Vázquez lead the Azzurri to glory in next year's European Championship?" He made his debut on 28 March 2015 against Bulgaria - coming on for Zaza and leveling the game in the 84th minute. As you see, 2015 has been a great year for the now Italian international and thus will carry on.
Marcos Alonso (ACF Fiorentina):
Some of you may have heard about him previously. Alonso had two short stints in England, three seasons at Bolton and half a season at Sunderland. He hasn’t featured in many games for Fiorentina up until last season, when – now ex manager – Montella decided to throw Alonso in for Pasqual and the Spaniard impressed the manager that much that he decided to include him in the rotation. Alonso has come through Real Madrid’s youth ranks, making his move to Bolton in 2010. He’s made nearly 50 appearances for the Wanderers in three years, which let him move to Italy on a free in 2013. Facing a rough start at the Viola, Marcos didn’t make a lot of match sqauds and was loaned to Sunderland in early 2014. Finally getting some minutes on the pitch, the young defender improved over time and helped the club avoid relegation.
Alonso featured as a left-back, centre-back and left midfielder for the Tuscan club. He’s a rather tall full-back standing at 6’2”, but neither lacking speed nor technique. Getting involved on both ends of the field make him the complete package for Fiorentina. Marcos caught the attention of football fans when he scored a fantastic free kick in Fiorentina’s first league game against AC Milan this season. Under Paulo Sousa the left-back has shown great promise, featuring in all games and chipping in with two goals and two assists.
Roberto Pereyra (Juventus Turin):
Roberto has quickly elevated himself into an important player for the Italian giants. Over a year ago he was at Udinese most likely facing a tough season until Juventus came in with a loan offer for the playmaker to strengthen their midfield, which was already one of the best in football. From being in a team that will have to avoid relegation to a future Champions League finalist. Quite the change for the Argentia who’s learned to play football at a small club in San Martin. The highest level the club has played in its history? Torneo Argentino C, Argentina’s fifth league! Pereyra stood out and therefore made a move to renowned River Plate in 2008. A club which has developed the likes of Crespo, Batitstuta, Aimar and one of the all-time greats, Alfredo Di Stefano. A pretty good school to evolve as a player and that’s exactly what the young Argentinian playmaker pursued.
In 2011 he was called up to the U20’s to participate in the FIFA U-20 World Cup where he featured in all three games of the group stages, missing the round of 16 game due to suspension but back on the pitch for the big game against Portugal. That was lost on penalty kicks but Lamela and Pereyra have continuously shown good displays. Both were transferred to Italy that summer, Pereyra to Udinese and Erík Lamela changing clubs for a whopping 17 million Euros.
Roberto has played three season in Udine making 84 appearances playing in multiple positions in midfield or attack, one of the big positives about the Argentine, his polyvalence. He didn’t have a huge breakout season like his colleague Paulo Dybala but he still caught the eye of Allegri, manager of Juventus, to finally be able to make a big push in Europe. In his debut season at Juve, Pereyra played an impressive 52 games, scooping up the Scudetto - winning the league and cup - but losing the Champions League final to FC Barcelona. However, his performances left no doubt to make his move permanent in summer for 14 million Euros. This season, the Argentine is allowed even more space to develop as Juventus lost a number of stars – Tévez, Pirlo, Llorente and Vidal. The team had a rough start in the league but looks to get back in form and Pereyra will definitely contribute to another successful season for the Bianconeri.
One of the players that have previously performed very well for their club and, in my opinion, haven’t gotten the credit they deserve. Biglia is an instrumental player to Lazio’s side, merging together attack and defence. He’s taken his talents to Rome in summer 2013 after spending seven years in Belgium, at RSC Anderlecht. Usually Anderlecht sell their young prospects to big European clubs but the Argentine made his move as a 27 year old to the eternal rival of AS Roma. He fit in well and solved Lazio’s defensive midfielder woes after Cristian Ledesma and Alvaro González couldn’t keep the team together. The centre defensive midfielder is often an underappreciated poisiton in football but seems to get the recognition the respective players deserve.
Manager Pioli merits a lot of credit for reviving the club as well as players, only bringing in a few costly acquisitions but predominantly using the players already available at his disposal. Felipe Anderson, Danilo Cataldi, Stefan de Vrij and of couse Lucas Biglia have made big leaps in quality. The latter was awarded with the captain’s armband at the start of this new season – taking it of Stefano Mauri. These performances have earned him a regular spot in Argentina’s setup but also rumors emerged of a possible bid from non-other than Real Madrid. Real were lacking a reliable defensive midfielder but Casémiro’s outstanding season at FC Porto has seen him back in a white shirt. Lazio should be pushing for a Champions League spot with Biglia orchestrating from deep.
One of the biggest goalkeeper prospects in Europe. Mattia Perin’s stellar ascent started when the club decided to sell the experienced Sébastien Frey and put faith in their young keeper. A decision they won’t regret. Mattia originally moved to Liguria as a 15 year old working his way up to the professionals only two years later. Loan spells at Padova and Pescara have prepared him well for his upcoming task in goal for Genoa. In his two seasons he’s made 69 appearances, racking up double figures in clean sheets each season. However, Perin is one of the keepers that shouldn’t be judged on their stats. The Italian has saved Genoa numerous times with outstanding performances and important penalty saves. Being the possible successor of the great Gianluigi Buffon is not an easy burden – especially considering back up Salvatore Sirigu has had a disappointing season for PSG, thus pretty much forcing PSG to bring in a young and better keeper in Kevin Trapp. Like the German, Perin is a keeper that can keep his side in a game, albeit needing a few saves to warm up.
It’s only a matter of time before Mattia will make a move to a big club, whether that’s going to be as a Buffon replacement or somewhere outside of Italy. Perin is currently injured, scheduled to be out until the start of November. Genoa are sorely missing him in goal, second keeper Lamanna isn’t to blame for the bad start but as a defender you feel much more confident knowing you’ve got an authority behind you.