After Inter allowed youngsters Luca Caldirola and Guilo Donati to depart for the Bundesliga this summer it looked as though Serie A was set to continue the tradition of caution when it comes to blooding young talent at the highest level with many leading clubs preferring seasoned professionals in the aim of finding success, however, after the league’s commencement it could be that the trend is reversing.
While those in the lower reaches of the Italian football pyramid, particularly newly promoted sides looking to cement a Serie A place, continue to give youth a chance by accepting the generosity of clubs willing to supply many promising youngsters, it appears others are now following suit.
Unsurprisingly, during the opening weekend of the season, Livorno and Sassuolo had the lowest average ages of around just 25, however, two clubs more well known for their reliance on older players, AC Milan and Inter, were present in the top five youngest sides.
If it were not for the absence of veteran captain Javier Zanetti it is arguable that the Argentinean would have single handily increased their average age significantly, however, even he has acknowledged the Nerazzurri’s new focus on youth.
“In my time here I’ve not seen that many youngsters. In the past, we used to buy fully formed players, whereas now we’re taking a gamble on the kids. I like the philosophy.” Zanetti told World Soccer.
Whether this is a philosophy strategically taken by the club or a ‘gamble’ forced through the economic disadvantage they currently have to other European leagues remains to be seen. However, it is unprecedented that Inter would have begun a season with three under 23-year-olds like Juan Jesus (22), Mateo Kovacic (19) and Mauro Icardi (20) expected to make a significant contribution to the first-team.
In the Bundesliga, where the average age of players in 2012-13 was just 26, the national sides failure at the 1998 World Cup and then the European Championships in 2000 necessitated their football federations decision to press ahead with the restructuring of youth football that is now paying dividends not just for Germany but leading clubs Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
However, after defeating Joachim Low’s side to reach the European Championship final in 2012 the Azzurri are hardly in need of overall reform, particularly in Serie A, where there has always been a core of Italian players at most clubs, even if two key components of that side, veterans Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo, will soon need replacing.
An impressive display by the Italian Under-21 side at their European Championships in Israel this summer also indicates that the future is bright. With Inter continuing to allow players such as Caldirola and Donati to move on no longer indicates a reluctance to trust younger players. Italian clubs simply do not have the finances to compete with the likes of Werder Bremen or Bayer Leverkusen.
Long-term this current revolution at the highest level could still bring similar benefits as in Germany. Take AC Milan for example, famous for extending the careers of veteran stars, 10 years ago the Rossoneri were deploying an ageing back-line of Cafu, Alessandro Nesta, Jaap Stam and Paolo Maldini. Against Hellas Verona the average age was just 27, and the absent 20-year-old Mattia De Sciglio is an almost certain starter when available.
Also boosted by an entertaining and youthful trio of Mario Balotelli, Stephan El Shaarawy and M’Baye Niang can no doubt help entice fans back into stadia and improve television revenues.
While clubs such as Milan and Inter proceed with youth policies the likelihood is that Juventus will continue to dominate domestically with a largely experienced side that national coach Cesare Prandelli will rely on in Brazil this summer, however, the Bianconeri do have one of Europe’s hottest young prospects in Paul Pogba entertaining in Turin and will prove a useful asset in increasing worldwide appeal.
If other clubs continue to provide opportunities to youngsters such as Lorenzo Insigne of Napoli, Sampdoria’s Manolo Gabbiadini and Kovacic at Inter then Serie A could soon boast a championship brimming with youthful exuberance like its German counterpart.
With the Premier League failing miserably at youth development or providing English players with a route to the first-team, and La Liga becoming as predictable as most leagues where two clubs dominate, the situation that current financial hardship places on Italian clubs could well become the unseen catalyst to return the league as one of the most entertaining in Europe.
Follow Kevin Pogorzelski on Twitter: @rabbitrabbiton
I reckon this emphasis on youth has been done out of necessity. Italy’s 2010 World Cup disaster showed that if the veterans have no legs, they can’t help you like they did in their prime. The current economic situation in Europe has had its effect too and Serie A doesn’t have the millionaires or billionaires it used to have back in the 1990s.