Inter centre-back Alessandro Bastoni has been heralded as the brightest young player in Italy by one of the nation’s most prominent commentators.
The 21-year-old has become a key figure in Antonio Conte’s three-man defence since the start of the last season, having joined from Atalanta in 2017.
Sky Sport’s Massimo Marianella singled Bastoni out as the country’s most promising youngster in 2020, before heaping praise on another of his Inter team-mates.
“Bastoni has convinced Conte to play him every week and that wasn’t a given, not least because Inter signed Aleksandar Kolarov in the summer to provide extra experience,” Marianella said.
“I think he could be a starting centre-back for Italy at the European Championships this summer too.
“As for Serie A’s best player in 2020, I would say it was Romelu Lukaku.
“He is an absolutely decisive player, not just for Inter but for Belgium too, and a marvellous person.
“He has a physical structure that can make the difference here in Italy.”
Inter are one point behind Serie A leaders AC Milan as they prepare to return to action against Crotone on Sunday.
The Nerazzurri have arrived in the New Year on a seven-game winning run in the league and are being tipped by many as the favourites to win the Scudetto.
Trips to Sampdoria and Roma follow after the match against Giovanni Stroppa’s side, and then Inter will host Juventus in a huge match at San Siro on 17 January.
They will also face Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia in the midweek before that.
