4 Italian Players Poised for Breakout Seasons | OneFootball

With the 2024-25 season wrapping up, look for these four Italian young talents to blossom into impact players — whether they stay in Serie A or make a move elsewhere.

It’s no secret that Italy is far away from the footballing nation it used to be. The four-time World Cup-winning nation hasn’t qualified for the last two tournaments, and there’s a huge concern for the future of the team, especially after their dismal performance in the last European Championships, where they exited embarrassingly at the hands of Switzerland. Players like Sandro Tonali, Nicolo Barella, and Alessandro Bastoni are beacons of light offering hope for the fans of the Azzurri, but what about the next wave?

Interestingly enough, Italy doesn’t seem to be struggling at a youth level. The nation’s U17 team won the 2024 European Championships, the U19s won the 2023 European Championships (and were semi-finalists in 2024), and the U20s won the Elite League for the third consecutive tournament last year.

But while one couldn’t be blamed for eagerly anticipating the future of Italian football — even going as far as to bet on them in upcoming tournaments — let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. The seemingly strong youth foundation at the national level comes with concerns about their development when representing their respective clubs. Will these youth players progress into the first team and have enough regular Serie A/B football to support their growth?

So, before you look for where to start with online betting on the Azzuri, I’ve picked out four players who I think are showing fantastic growth this season and are providing glimmers of hope for the national team. These are four Italians you should be keeping your eye on.

Francesco Pio Esposito, Spezia (on loan from Inter)

Matteo Retegui vs. Moise Kean is the current debate for who starts upfront for the Azzurri, and rightly so. But one man who is soon to be in conversations about the national team’s striking options is Francesco Pio Esposito. The 19-year-old is having a wonderful season for Spezia in Serie B with 15 goals, good enough for the third-highest total in the league.

He’s helped Spezia reach the promotion play-offs as the club looks to return to top flight football. He’s been a revelation for Spezia — so much so that Inter want to keep him once his loan finishes. He’s in high demand, with many clubs watching his progression. With Inter’s current situation in the striking department as well as their ambition for more trophies, they’d be silly to let Pio Esposito go. I hope to see him regularly play for the Nerazzurri next season as he’s an incredibly exciting talent.

Tomasso Baldanzi, AS Roma

When Baldanzi was at Empoli, he was so highly rated that many compared his style to that of Paulo Dybala. Fast-forward, and it’s Dybala who has been keeping him out of regular minutes at Roma. Towards the end of his Empoli career and into his time at Roma, he’s had a bit of a difficult time. From what was such a promising talent, he has gone off the boil a bit.

I’m including him in this list because he’s got exceptional skills, with a beautiful creative flair and a great ability to dribble the ball. What needs to happen next is for him to step up and deliver on his potential. It’ll be a make-or-break season for him next year, and a key factor in that will be who Roma bring in to replace Claudio Ranieri. One to watch next year, for sure.

Pietro Comuzzo, Fiorentina

The Italian defender is having a breakout season playing 29 times for La Viola so far this season, proving to be an integral part of their setup. He’s a very highly rated player, with the likes of Manchester United, Napoli, and Inter all keeping an eye on his situation. He’s already earned a call-up to Luciano Spalletti’s Italy squad, albeit as an injury replacement for Riccardo Calafiori.

Regardless of the call-up situation, his form warranted his inclusion. His strength, solidity at the back, and ability to read the game are traits that have garnered him a lot of attention, with many calling him the best Italian defensive prospect in the game right now. Wherever he ends up next season, he’s a player with huge amounts of talent and potential and one you should be watching.

Samuele Ricci, Torino

Ricci has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting midfield prospects this season, putting him very much in demand going into the summer transfer market. Manchester City, Chelsea, Milan, Inter, and Napoli are all set to battle it out for his signature, with many more clubs expected to join the fight.

He’s only recently signed a contract at Torino, too, but with them looking likely to finish in the bottom half of Serie A this season, his ambitions will be higher and he is sure to be setting his sights on European football. His ability to retain possession is fundamental to his game, which is why Pep Guardiola has been interested in him as a Rodri replacement and/or back-up. It’s a trait that many top teams see as invaluable.

Ricci’s future is uncertain, with Torino owner Urbano Cairo dismissing rumors of him exiting the club. However, a player of Ricci’s talents will be hot property in the summer, and Torino may not be able to turn down the offers they receive. He’s one to watch both on and off the field.