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5 Serie A prospects ready for a breakout 2018-19 season

By John Vaccaro

DUISBURG, GERMANY - JULY 28: Marc Lafont Alban of Florenz saves a penalty during the first semi final match between MSV Duisburg and AC Florenz at Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena on July 28, 2018 in Duisburg, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
DUISBURG, GERMANY - JULY 28: Marc Lafont Alban of Florenz saves a penalty during the first semi final match between MSV Duisburg and AC Florenz at Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena on July 28, 2018 in Duisburg, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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Amine Gouiri of France (2nd L) vies with Nicolo Zaniolo (L) and Alessandro Tripaldelli (3rd L) of Italy vie for the ball during the football 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship semifinal match Italy vs France in Vaasa, Finland on July 26, 2018. (Photo by Timo Aalto / Lehtikuva / AFP) / Finland OUT (Photo credit should read TIMO AALTO/AFP/Getty Images)
Amine Gouiri of France (2nd L) vies with Nicolo Zaniolo (L) and Alessandro Tripaldelli (3rd L) of Italy vie for the ball during the football 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship semifinal match Italy vs France in Vaasa, Finland on July 26, 2018. (Photo by Timo Aalto / Lehtikuva / AFP) / Finland OUT (Photo credit should read TIMO AALTO/AFP/Getty Images) /

Every Serie A season gives us a few new names to learn.

With the new season almost upon us I thought it might be time to start looking at who those players could be this year. There is a plethora of young talent in Serie A and the league as a whole seems to be improving year after year.

With the added exposure of the ESPN deal and the attention having Ronaldo in the league will draw this could be the most important year yet to shine. Making an impression this year could catapult players to stardom and I believe these players will make the most of this new spotlight.

1. Nicolo Zaniolo- Roma

Zaniolo is the least proven player on this list. His club experience consists only of 7 games at Virtus Estella. Other than this, he has only played for Inter’s U19 team, and Italy’s U18 and U19 teams. It’s his performances with Italy that are important.

Over the summer, Zaniolo looked absolutely incredible at the U19 Euro. Over the course of the tournament, Zaniolo contributed 1 goal and 2 assists in 5 games, including one perfect pass that sent Moise Kean through on goal in the semi-final against France. Zaniolo was instrumental in Italy’s silver medal run in the tournament and his performances gave a glimpse of what he could be capable of with regular playing time in Serie A.

Unfortunately, this won’t be the year he gets that time at Roma, but a loan is a very realistic possibility. There have been reports of Zaniolo possibly being loaned to Chievo Verona or SPAL. At either of these clubs Zaniolo would possess the two most important things possible, talent and opportunity.

Zaniolo will quickly entrench himself in the starting lineup of either club. Once there he would show the world that Italy has a new star coming up through its ranks. by this time next year Roma will have some tough decisions to make because Zaniolo will deserve a starting spot in a crowded midfield.

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