Playerwatch 2005: Italy

By Paolo Menicucci

When Marcello Lippi became Italy coach last summer, he immediately announced that players from the team who had just won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship would swiftly earn promotion to the senior ranks.

Parma duo
Indeed, three of those players, Daniele Bonera, Daniele De Rossi and Alberto Gilardino, are already key members of Lippi's squad. Despite being 23 and 22 respectively, the Parma FC players Bonera and Gilardino are already old hands. Defender Bonera has been regarded as one of the best prospects in Italian football since his Serie A debut with Brescia Calcio in 2000. Meanwhile Gilardino scored 23 times last season for Parma, and Lippi's decision to unleash him in Italy's attack took nobody by surprise.

De Rossi emergence
The best news for the national coach, though, came arguably from the performances of midfield player De Rossi. Born in 1983, the AS Roma product has already established himself as a key player at the Stadio Olimpico, and has repaid Lippi's faith by scoring two goals in his first three games in the Azzurri shirt. A former attacker, De Rossi has not lost his sense for goal. He can run, tackle and is technically skilled.

Ballwinner Blasi
In the long-term De Rossi could establish an effective midfield partnership with Manuele Blasi. The 24-year-old is finally proving his great potential with Juventus FC. A fantastic ballwinner, Blasi displaced the experienced Alessio Tacchinardi in the Juve lineup, and could soon do the same thing with the Azzurri.

Chiellini chance
Another player who has already caught Lippi's eye is ACF Fiorentina left-back Giorgio Chiellini. Juventus partially own Chiellini's playing licence and the Bianconeri are expected to do everything they can to bring the 20-year-old back to the Delle Alpi stadium next summer. Powerful, fast and technically skilled, Chiellini made his debut for the Italian senior team in a friendly game against Finland in November. In the long-term, Lippi could decide to move Gianluca Zambrotta to a more advanced position in order to find a place for Chiellini in his team.

Sicilian defence
US Città di Palermo defender Cristian Zaccardo is also a fine prospect. The 22-year-old can play across the defence but excels at right-back, and he also made his debut for Italy against Finland. Palermo's Sicilian rivals FC Messina Peloro, meanwhile, boast Alessandro Parisi, an attack-minded left-back who is doing great things in his first season in Serie A at the age of 27.

Atalanta prospects
Atalanta BC are known for having the best youth system in the country and the club continue to produce exciting young players. Riccardo Montolivo, 19, is a talented and creative attacking force while two 20-year-olds - powerful striker Gianpaolo Pazzini and versatile midfield player Andrea Lazzari - have impressed.

Bulgarian brilliance
Some overseas players are also making their mark in Serie A. Bulgarian international Valeri Bojinov, just 18, is already one of the most feared strikers in the league. Signed by US Lecce when he was 13, Bojinov is in the mould of Wayne Rooney. A natural-born talent, he has a great shot with both feet, physical power and an innate sense for goal.

New Zidane?
Two years older than Bojinov, Bologna FC playmaker Mourad Meghni has already been labelled as the new Zinedine Zidane. From a technical point of view the Frenchman is undoubtedly one of the most skilled players in Serie A and continues to improve.