Year after year, Genoa Cricket and Football Club move players in and out of their ranks. This constant influx of talent, or in some cases lack of talent, doesn’t go unnoticed in the Calcio world.
The club’s erratic turnover is ruled over by owner Enrico Preziosi, and this upheaval is what many see as the downfall of the oldest club in Italy.
But despite the year on end player movement, Genoa have found a group of exciting young players in their midst. Unfortunately for Grifone supporters, the Marassi is only a holding-tank for much of the talent that comes through Genoa. And Preziosi’s desire to make money and turn-a-profit is the catalyst to many of these players moving to other parts of the peninsula or Europe in the near future.
Genoa came into the 2012-13 season with a different look. Gone were many of the older players. Last summer saw three of the club’s big names – Alberto Gilardino, Rodrigo Palacio, Miguel Veloso – sold or loaned out to continue the cycle that has prevailed at the club since Preziosi took over in 2003.
In their places were a new batch of youngster looking to make their mark on Serie A. Now with a quarter of the season gone, Genoa’s youngsters have been given their opportunity, some more than others, to keep the Grifone in the top-flight. Here are five of the best under-25 year old’s at the club.
Andrea Bertolacci
The Roman’s stock has risen considerably in recent weeks. After coming on in the Derby della Lanterna as a halftime substitute, Andrea Bertolacci helped Genoa turn the game around in the second half. The damage, however, had been done in the first 45 minutes; and despite his excellent performance, he couldn’t turn the result in Genoa’s favour.
One of the club’s best signings in recent times.
Bertolacci followed his derby performance with a goal against Atalanta last weekend. His first half strike gave manager Luigi Delneri his first win as Grifone manager. Comfortable in midfield or playing off a lone-striker, Bertolacci is at his best as the team’s creative hub.
Signed from Roma in the summer, the midfielder spent the three previous season on loan at Lecce. Bertolacci has notched two goals in 10 matches already this season, and much of the time has featured as the lone creative spark in the side.
At only 21-years old, the Roman should have a bright future whether it is at the Marassi or somewhere else in Italy.
Alexander Merkel
Perhaps the most under-utilized player at the club, Alexander Merkel returned to Genoa over the summer. Merkel spent the first half of 2011-12 with the Grifone, and was one of the few bright spots in an up and down autumn for the club.
In his 13 matches, Merkel tallied two assists and would have had more were it not for poor Genoa finishing. Merkel’s stock has sunk dramatically since returning from the knee injury that kept him out of action last spring. This season the German U-20 international has only featured five times, two of which were substitute appearances.
Lost in the current Genoa set-up, Merkel may move in January.
Now down the pecking order, Merkel has looked less than average in many of his appearances. Against Milan earlier this season, Merkel’s passing – usually his hallmark – was extremely poor and he needlessly gave the ball away repeatedly.
Merkel last appeared for the club against Napoli in early November, and recently the playmaker has been rumored to leave the Marassi in January. Though Genoa have denied these reports, Merkel’s time at the club may very well be up as Delneri doesn’t favor the young German.
Cristobal Jorquera
Yet another attacking midfielder, Chilean Cristobal Jorquera emerged last season as a capable South American export. Though he was relegated to the bench for much of the spring, Jorquera showed talent and vision in the first half of the 2011-12 season.
This season, much like Merkel, Jorquera has found himself on the bench more than the pitch. In eight appearances the Chilean has two assists. Like Bertolacci and Merkel, Jorquera can play off a lone-striker in Delneri’s 4-4-1-1 formation or fit into the midfield.
However, Delneri’s insistence to pair Marco Borriello and Ciro Immobile or Bertolacci has seen the 24-year old appear mostly as a substitute. With Genoa rumoured to sign Lazio’s Matuzalem, Jorquera will most likely be out the door. However, his presence in the team shows just how much attacking talent Genoa have.
Ciro Immobile
The jewel of Genoa, Ciro Immobile has lived up to much of the hype that followed him from Pescara. The 22-year old tallied 28 goals for last season’s Serie B champions and he has taken much of that form into his time with the Grifone.
Genoa’s top goal scorer and the future of Calcio.
Immobile already leads the club with four goals from 14 games. Though his play has struggled at times with and without fellow striker Marco Borriello. Most recently, Immobile came on as a second half substitute as Delneri has recently felt Immobile and Borriello are unable to play together.
Not as powerful as Borriello or as good in the air, Immobile’s game relies more on pace and technique. His ability to challenge defenders gives him a different aspect to Genoa’s attack than Borriello.
Like the other Genoa youngsters, Immobile will most likely move sooner rather than later. Juventus currently own half of the Italian’s contract and his addition to the Bianconeri in place of Nicklas Bendtner or Alessandro Matri next season would improve their forward line greatly.
Mario Sampirisi
The former Milan youth product, Mario Sampirisi has made Genoa’s right-back position his own in 2012. At only 20-years old, the full-back has featured 12 times this season.
Last year, Genoa gave up a Serie A high 69 goals and their poor defending was the main reason the club fought relegation in the second half of the season.
This season Genoa’s defence have made remarkable improvements. Sampirisi’s work on the right hand side has been excellent, especially of late. The Italian did have trouble early on this season, most notably against Juventus as Kwadwo Asamoah ran the right-back up and down the pitch. Sampirisi was also at fault for the penalty that would seal Juventus’ win.
Sampirisi has made the Genoa right-back position his own in 2012.
Since then, Sampirisi has improved his overall game. However, this season it is a defend first mentality displayed by the Grifone and he hasn’t been asked to maraud up and down the right side like his predecessors. His defending has been a step-up from last season’s right-back Giandomenico Mesto.
Unlike the young attacking talent, Sampirisi should be on Genoa’s books for a few years to come. Despite the improvement shown this year he still has a way to go and playing for Genoa should teach the youngster how to defend every week.
Follow Drew Farmer on Twitter @CalcioFarmer, Drew also hosts the Forzaitalianfootball.com weekly Club Focus podcast and writes his own personal football and travel blog at Excellent Adventure/Bogus Journey.
