With the Serie A back underway, Get Italian Football News presents you five players to keep an eye on in the second half of the season.
Matteo Cancellieri (Lazio)
Lazio did great business in the transfer market last summer, with Matteo Cancellieri being a part of that. The 20-year-old Italian winger made the move from Hellas Verona towards the capital, which he already knew from his time at the Roma youth academy.
In June last year, Cancellieri made his debut for Italy against Germany in the Nations League. He has got some opportunities this season, but hasn’t been able to make a goal contribution for the Biancocelesti yet. However, Cancellieri has shown glimpses of his qualities, and he’ll surely be a player who could contribute more to Sarri’s side in the second half of the season.
Jakub Kiwior (Spezia)
For 22-year-old Jakub Kiwior, 2022 was a year to remember. He further cemented himself as one of the most promising centre-backs in Serie A and made 4 appearances at the World Cup for Poland, as his nation made it to the Round of 16.
His performances haven’t gone unnoticed: a Juventus scout attended Spezia’s match against Atalanta on Wednesday. It might not be too long before Kiwior makes the step up in Serie A, with Milan and Napoli also linked with him in the past.
Armand Laurienté (Sassuolo)
Sassuolo’s Armand Laurienté has been one of the league’s most fun players to watch because of his runs and dribbles. Laurienté was presented with the tough task of making Sassuolo fans forget about Raspadori and Scamacca, but he’s doing a good job.
The Neroverdi acquired the 24-year-old winger for €10 million from Lorient last summer, and that price tag has definitely been worth it. Laurienté currently has 2 goals and 3 assists in 10 matches, but he will certainly add some more in the second half of the season.
Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta)
Italy is known for producing great centre-backs, and Giorgio Scalvini might be next one on the list. The 19-year-old came through the youth ranks of Atalanta and has taken a place in Gasperini’s starting line-up this season.
Scalvini can also play in midfield and even scored a goal against Roma. He already managed to get capped for the Italian National Team three times, so he could be one of the faces of the next generation. Atletico Madrid, Manchester City and Juventus have already identified Scalvini as a possible reinforcement and the teenager is already part of the Italian national team at such a tender age.
Luka Romero (SS Lazio)
Once dubbed the ‘new Messi’, Luka Romero was always going to have big boots to fill. The 18-year-old joined Lazio from Mallorca, where he made his senior debut age 15, last summer. He impressed Sarri at the summer training camp and got put in the senior squad straight away. Since then, he’s managed to get limited minutes.
Before the World Cup break, the Argentinian scored his first goal in Serie A against Monza, which was also the match-winner. His potential is evident, and like Cancellieri, he’s definitely a player to keep an eye on in this Lazio squad.
Jurre van Wanrooij | GIFN
