Italian journalist Mario Sconcerti has bemoaned that trend of young players moving to big teams and then being kept on the bench, according to a report in the Italian media today.
Whilst writing for Calciomercatio, Mario Sconcerti gave a number of examples of young players who have developed better by being at a club where they can play regularly.
“The big teams continue to look for young people, but not to let them play. At most they think of loaning them and getting them back improved.
“But it is young people today who have changed their minds. They do not like loans because they affect choices on the field and they no longer like to stand by and watch.”
Inter and Juventus are being linked with Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca but Mario Sconcerti feels he will only join a club where he will be the main striker rather than a rotation option.
“Scamacca is shouting it, he will only go where he will be the owner. The numbers are clear: Scamacca has played eight games as a substitute without scoring a goal; he then played nine as a starter and scored five goals.”
Examples given of players who scored little whilst in rotation but then improved dramatically when given regular starts include Dudan Vlahovic at Fiorentina and Inter’s Andrea Pinamonti.
“Pinamonti spent three seasons at Inter making 11 appearances and one goal. At 19 he was a starter at Frosinone and scored five goals, then ten at Genoa in two seasons. Today he has six goals in Empoli and he is still 22 years old.
Inter and Juventus have also both been linked with young Atalanta striker Roberto Piccoli but Atalanta boss Gianpiero Gasperini does not want him to leave even though he rarely features.
Mario Sconcerti feels he should be allowed to join a smaller team instead.
“It makes no sense to take a young person and not let him play, it is damage, disinvestment. Now Juve and Inter want Piccoli but Gasperini blocks him without putting him on the pitch. Give him to Genoa or to anyone who needs him.”
