Leonardo Semplici, who used to coach Federico Bernardeschi at Primavera level for Fiorentina, believes the youngster is in line for a huge year.
The 21-year-old Italian youth international spent most of last season on the sideline injured, but is still regarded as one of Italy’s highest regarded talents.
Bernardeschi stole the show in a recent friendly against European champions Barcelona, scoring a brace in a 2-1 victory, and has also been handed the number 10 jersey for the upcoming season.
“Choosing the number 10 is an important step for Federico. It’s a show of faith in a guy with great character who wants to assert himself with Fiorentina,” Semplici told Radio Sportiva.
“His characteristics? He can cover all the roles in the attack and I think that in the future, he can make even establish himself as a center-forward.
“The experiences that Bernardeschi and [Khouma] Babacar accumulated on loan have hardened them. Now I see them ready to play a major role in Fiorentina shirt.”