Future Italian Superstars Part 4: Roma and Palermo

Whew. We’ve been through quite a bit so far- we’ve covered potential Azzurri players from Juve, Lazio and Chievo, and Napoli and Serie A in general (as per Francesco’s thoughts). Today, let’s turn to the red and pink of Roma and Palermo.

Chris from the Roma Offside gave his take on the three players he thinks should be called up who are oft overlooked:

Matteo Brighi, Marco Motta & this other guy…can’t remember his damn name….oh yeah……Francesco Totti.

Brighi: Without him Roma are clamoring for Intertoto, not Champions League, in 09-10. He’s the full midfield package – all-action, full-engined box-to-box type who can play across the entire line. Defends like a proper defender with surprising technique and wonderful instincts, particularly his off-the-ball runs, inside the final third. Not to mention he and DDR are the only players – fingers crossed – able to duck the looping hook of the Roman injury curse. That’s got to be worth something.

Motta: The talent’s been lathered on in spades but what’s been most surprising about Motta is his maturity during games not played in or around Genoa. Yeah, he’s the U21 captain but he’s been playing like a ten year veteran and doing so in big matches. At the Emirates he was seemingly the only one in black who realized it was the Champions League – on his debut, no less – while playing similarly in the return leg and he performed well above par at the San Siro. So while he’s always been the future, his maturity has fast tracked him a bit.

Francesco Totti: Cassano’s nice, but Totti he is not. Until Francesco retires, the Azzurri have no weapon as lethal. And while he is getting older, his game has always been predicated on technique, intelligence and vision, meaning he’ll age more gracefully than someone whose game is based on, or benefits largely from, pace. Just give him a few friendlies before the summer of ‘10 and he’ll be golden.

And can I add a vote for Pazzini? Gilardino makes me want to cry every time he dons azzurri.

Both Francesco and chris make a case for Brighi, and he has been having a great year with Roma. With Gattuso out, Brighi could be a good DM replacement. Motta is just a matter of time away from a call up, while Totti is definitely a controversial figure to say the least.

Steven from the Palermo Offside gives his take on what Palermo players should be given a run out:

I’d say Cassani and Balzaretti. They’d even have a chance of being in the starting line-up. Miccoli, nah, he can do magic, but he can also be shut down for an entire game.

I’d go for Moris in the center as well. He’s like Materazzi, but more talented and less aggressive. Imagine being a little Maltese attacker and having to face The Wall…

Nocerino, too early maybe. He had an awful start to the season, but now he’s really growing into his role. Give the kid some time to tell us if he’s got the talent to become the new boss in midfield, or if he’s just like Simplicio: one good game, one disastrous game.

I haven’t seen Palermo play much this season so I’m not going to give my take on this. Nocerino though in particular caught my eye, as I thought he would flourish at Palermo. But it seems like it’s taking him a bit of time to find his feet, to say the least.