This week’s “Talents of the Week” is a Serie A special. There is a massive wave of young talents currently breaking through that challenge the traditional italien stereotype of not trusting young players. Today, I’m looking at three very interesting youngsters: A flying wing-back, a pacy ball-carrying centre back and a dribbly centre midfielder with lots of flair.
Marco Palestra, 21, Cagliari Calcio
Marco Palestra is quickly becoming one of the most exciting wide profiles in Italy. Operating primarily as a right wing-back or even right winger for Cagliari, the 21-year-old is a physical powerhouse. He possesses an elite athletic profile, combining raw pace with a tall frame and fantastic core strength.
Statistically, Palestra is a high-volume volume dribbler. He ranks in the 99th percentile for successful dribbles and draws a lot of fouls (99th percentile), which is a strong indicator of a good ball-carrier. His game is built on receiving the ball as an outlet and driving it into dangerous positions. When he gets there, his crossing is dangerous and consistent (83rd percentile for accurate crosses), making him a primary source of chance creation for a team that relies on quick transitions.
However, Palestra can have his faults defensively. While his long legs allow him to be a decent 1v1 defender, his overall awareness is still below average. He has a tendency to rush forward impulsively, which can leave space behind him exposed. His defensive style is more reactive than proactive; he relies on his recovery speed to fix mistakes rather than preventing them through positioning.
With a duel success rate of 72.8% (92nd percentile), he has the frame to be a defensive force, but he needs to refine his technical security on the ball, as his passing accuracy (13th percentile) remains a significant hurdle to joining a top-possession side. He is used primarily as a long-ball outlet so he has few possibilities of demonstrating his passing quality. His stats might improve if he is more involved in build-up play.
“Marco Palestra is a fantastic young prospect who will definitely find his place at a top team due to his elite athleticism. He is a perfect modern wing-back; should he improve the defensive side of his game (as young players typically do), he should have no problem operating as a full-back in a back four. His physicality makes him perfect for Premier League football, but due to their tactical system, Inter Milan could also be a good fit. While the focus with Palestra is often on his athleticism, his technical ability is also impressive. He rarely makes mistakes, is very secure on the ball, and possesses excellent crossing ability.”
Honest Ahanor, 18, Atalanta Bergamo
It is rare to find a center-back born this young who looks this comfortable at the professional level. Honest Ahanor has caught the eye of scouts across Europe this season. Standing at only 184cm but with a low center of gravity and immense functional strength, Ahanor is the archetype of the modern wide center-back who thrives in a back three.
Ahanor’s statistical profile is fascinating. He isn’t just a defender; he is also a threat in front of goal. He ranks in the 97th percentile for xG among center-backs, largely due to his presence on set piece (despite only average height) and also his willingness to follow play into the final third. His defensive work is defined by high intensity and aggression; he wins 6.82 duels per 90 (95th percentile) and is exceptionally good at defending channels and tracking runners into wide areas.
Tactically, Ahanor is a front-foot defender. He loves to step out of the defensive line to engage attackers in midfield, a task he handles well due to his pace and agility. He is secure in possession, recycling the ball with a 90% pass accuracy, showing a good level of composure on the ball. He is more a carrier than a passer, also due to mainly playing as a wide defender.
His main area for improvement is his timing. His aggression occasionally leads to mistimed challenges when he moves into midfield, and his box defending can still be shaky. However, these are typical growing pains for a young defender. Ahanor possesses the physical foundations to make up for most of his mistakes.
Honest Ahanor is one of the brightest centre-back prospects in Europe. Atalanta paid €17 million for him, and we are starting to see why. He possesses the technical floor combined with the physical ceiling required to play for the best teams in the world. He is extremely calm and focused for his age, and he shows great promise as a strong ball-carrier from deep—a skill that is becoming increasingly important due to the resurgence of man-marking systems. While he definitely still has his faults, they are nothing out of the ordinary for an 18-year-old defender. He has all the time in the world to continue developing, but I am fairly certain he will reach the top level sooner rather than later.
Arthur Atta, 23, Udinese Calcio
Arthur Atta is a player who is full of flair. At 23, he is the oldest player on this list, and it shows in his ability to dictate the rhythm of a match. However, he still has a lot of room to grow and has shown in the past months that he continuesly develops his game. Standing tall at 189cm with a powerful stride, Atta is a versatile midfielder who can function as a deep-lying playmaker or an advanced eight.
Atta’s greatest weapon is his dribbling. He ranks in the 97th percentile for successful dribbles (2.54 per 90). His ability to receive the ball under pressure, use his frame to shield it, and then glide past his marker is almost second to none. He is also a frequent arrival in the penalty box, utilizing his height and box-crashing instincts to find a high volume of shots (89th percentile).
His profile is further enhanced by his both-footedness and his ability to strike long balls with precision. He is a tempo-setter who keeps the ball moving quickly. In the final third, he is highly progressive, consistently looking for the line-breaking pass.
The concerns with Atta revolve around his intensity and work rate out of possession. He is not a natural ball-winner. His positioning and defensive discipline can be inconsistent. His finishing is also often below average, as he frequently finds good shooting positions but lacks the clinical edge.
Arthur Atta can be a genius on the ball. He is a tall, silky midfielder who loves to dribble; he sees passes and executes moves that very few players would even consider. However, his genius comes with a price: off the ball, he lacks defensive acumen. He requires a solid structure around him to thrive, but when given the freedom to play, he rewards the team with fantastic output in the final third. His strong frame should help him acclimatize to a higher level, and after two years at Udinese, he appears ready for the next step. A mid-table Premier League side or a move to Spain could suit him well. Atta strikes me as a late bloomer, but once he fully fills out his frame and improves his decision-making, he will become an exceptional creative midfielder.
