Serie A - Players to watch out for in 2013/14‏ - Part 1

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Article by e-Football's Serie A Correspondent Daniel Pisani (AUS)

Every year we are blessed as football supporters to see and marvel in the talent that each league has to offer us all around the world. In this four part article I'm going to look at each team and tell you why the player I have chosen will be the "go to man" or even the "surprise package" for this years Serie A season.

I believe the best team that produce talent in the past decade has been Udinese Calcio. Their record of purchasing players for a small amount and selling them at a substantial profit is amazing. At the moment the owners of Udinese also have investments in 2 clubs overseas being Watford F.C and Granada CF. Udinese have been on the brink of the top 6 of Italian football for sometime now and are by no means an easy team to confront.

They still co-own players such as Isla (with Juventus) and Barreto (with Torino), but it's there products that have been sold that holds Udinese as a great "first impression" stage for the Italian game.

Vincenzo Iaquinta was snapped up by Udinese after the striker was struggling at Serie C1 side Castel di Sangro and became a starting striker along side Toto Di Natale. Iaquinta made appearances in the Champions League and got his first Italian cap thanks to being recruited by Udinese. He was sold to Juventus in 2007 for a fee of 11.3 million Euros.

Iaquinta is just one example and below are several others that finally got their Serie A break thanks to Udinese:

Fabio Quagliarella (after rough times with Ascoli and Sampdoria)
Giuliano Giannichedda (moved to Udinese from A.S Sosa Calcio)
Simone Pepe (after unsuccessful stints at Roma, Lecco, Teramo, Palermo and Piacenza)
Dino Zoff (started his career in 1961 and made 38 appearances for Udinese)
Alexis Sanchez (cemented his Serie A status between 2006 and 2001 before being sold to Barcelona for 26 million Euros)
Stephen Appiah (moved from Hearts of Oak in 1997 to Udinese where he made 43 appearances)
Asamoah Gyan (was eventually sold to Rennes for 8 million Euros making a very healthy profit)
Sulley Muntari (youth product that was sold to Portsmouth after 8 years at Udinese for 7.1 million Euros)
Samir Handanovic (made 182 appearances for the black and white before being sold to Inter Milan for 11 million Euros)

That was just a taste of some of the names that club saw potential in and released to the football world.

So let's no take a look at the first 5 players that I believe will pop up and make a name for themselves or be the "Go to Guy" in this years edition of the Serie A:

Atalanta - Giacomo Bonaventura

This 23 year old striker is a youth product for the club and has been a member of the Azzurri u19's, u20's, u21's and made his first appearance for the senior squad in 2013 vs San Marino. He is their goal poacher so I hope to see Giacomo hit double figures this year and give Cesare Prandelli head aches for the upcoming World Cup.

Bologna F.C - Federico Casarini

Federico is an Italian international representing his country for u17, u18 and u20 honours. This year could bring out the best in the midfielder as he is looking to further cement an starting role and link up with Bologna captain Diamanti. With Italy coach Prandelli constantly giving youth the opportunity to shine for the senior squad I wouldn't be surprised if Casarini gets the nod for any upcoming friendlies.

Cagliari Calcio - Victor Ibarbo

This striker from Colombia has already made 72 appearances for the Sardinians and last season became noticed for his solo effort on the last day of the Serie A season. He has a very unique presence up front with a true strikers build. Expect Victor to get the ball a lot this season and trouble any defender and goal keeper in his way.

Calcio Catania - Panagiotis Tachtsidis

The Greek international spent last season with AS Roma where he scored 1 goal from 21 appearances. This defensive midfielder is a solid presence in any team and will be the missing link that Catania lacked last season to compete in the midfield with the top teams. He'll be playing for a contract extension as well so I do expect a good season ahead and possibly add to his 2 appearances for the Greek national team.

Chievo Verona - Paul Papp

The 23 year old defender from Romania arrived at Chievo in 2012 from Vaslui after a loan stint at Farul Constanta. He definitely will add to his 8 appearances and I expect be the central figure to this defence. Papp who has 11 caps for his country always scores at least one goal a season which hopefully for Chievo he can continue and maybe double that.

I hope Italian Serie A fans are getting excited as much as I am for this season because it is going to be one hell of a great year with names such as Tevez, Higuain, Reina, Llorente and Balotelli gracing the Italian pitches it is sure to be eventful.

Until next time - Keep loving Football

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Daniel Joseph Pisani #23

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