A Diminutive Playmaker With Huge Talent

The end of the 2011/12 campaign saw some of the greatest Italian footballers of the modern era depart their homeland for pastures new. Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso, Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluca Zambrotta and Filippo Inzaghi, who were all once key components in the Azzurri set up, said an emotional goodbye to Serie A after years of loyal service to Italian football. Yet, despite this end of an era, there is new hope from a younger generation to give optimism to the four time World Cup winners.

Leading this crop of new talent is Marco Verratti, the 5ft 5” boy years ahead of his age.

Following a hugely successful season in Italy’s second division with Delfino Pescara 1936, Verratti was instrumental in helping his team being crowned the Serie B champions. Whilst other youngsters such as Immobile and Insigne shone for the Dolphins, no player had bigger an impact than the 19 year old.

Favouring his attacking formation of 4-3-3, the then Pescara coach Zdenek Zeman deployed Verratti in a deep laying attacking position in the middle of midfield. Here the teenager excelled, proving an astonishing natural ability at unlocking defences with precise passes, eventually drawing comparisons to Italy legend Andrea Pirlo. Having received this impressive recognition, Verratti spoke admirably of the iconic Juventus man, stating how as a youngster he adored watching Pirlo play.

These series of impressive performances persuaded French moneybags Paris St Germain to prise Verratti away from Italy. Although other signings by Carlo Ancelotti dominated the headlines this summer, most notably Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi, it is Verratti who could provide the most excitement within the Parc Des Princes.

Already a very much Italian influenced side, Verratti has adapted brilliantly to the French capital, with a string of exhilarating displays.

Furthermore, the gifted midfielder has equally impressed in another shade of blue. Verratti made his senior international debut against Italy earlier this year and although his side lost the game 2-1, the youngster left with his dignity intact after an eye-catching performance.

Some of the greatest playmakers have worn the blue of the Azzurri. From Giuseppe Meazza and Marco Tardelli to Francesco Totti and Andrea Pirlo, who are still excelling in Serie A. And with this dawn of a new era, the diminutive Verratti could be another name spoken about for years to come.