Young Attacking Players to Watch in Serie a This Season

Serie A is home to some of the best young talent in European football.

Long gone are the days in which Italian clubs have been able to muscle other European teams out of negotiations for the continent's most expensive players, so an alternative strategy has been identified.

Buying the best young talent, developing them in one of the most demanding leagues in Europe and looking to eventually sell for an inflated fee.

Here are some of the best young attacking talents in the league to keep an eye on this season.

Stephan El Shaarawy, Milan

Stephan El Shaarawy enjoyed a breakthrough season with Milan last year, even earning a starring role in Cesare Prandelli's Italy side, but this season proves to be fascinating as we see how Il Faraone progresses in his career.

The 20-year-old will have to cope with new tactical demands as he will inevitably be moved away from his preferred left-wing role that he became so accustomed to in last season's 4-3-3 formation.

Massimiliano Allegri is set to tweak that formation in order to appease demands from above to implement a more attractive style of play—a diamond 4-4-2 will likely be the formation of choice for the Rossoneri, with El Shaarawy as one of the two centre-forwards.

More scrutiny will also be placed on the partnership between himself and Mario Balotelli. Their partnership has yet to blossom in the seven months they have played together since the 22-year-old's move from Manchester City in January.

A record of 16 goals in 37 league matches last season was impressive—even if Il Faraone fizzled out toward the end of the season due to fatigue.

A similar record as El Shaarawy looks to establish himself as one of Europe's premier young attackers will be the target to take him into the World Cup.

Paul Pogba, Juventus

Paul Pogba was sensational last season in his debut campaign for Juventus, forcing his way into the starting lineup before the year was out in title-winning season for the Bianconeri.

The Frenchman did not have an easy task earning minutes on the pitch as the Old Lady maybe possess Europe's most formidable midfield, which includes Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio.

To make Antonio Conte play around with the tried-and-tested 3-5-2 formation shows exactly how revered Pogba is in Turin.

Conte ultimately dropped one of his strikers by the end of the season and pushed Marchisio into a more advanced role to allow Pogba to feature prominently in the midfield trio, which worked to an extent.

But with added attacking options from the likes of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente, it is probable that Conte will return to a two-striker formation, complicating Pogba's route back into the starting lineup.

Having just won the Golden Ball as the best player at the U-20 World Cup and starring for a French side that won in Turkey, Pogba's attentions will switch to establishing himself fully at club level and forcing his way into French squad for next year's World Cup.

Pogba is a complete player, but it is his attacking ability that I am looking forward to witnessing next season.

Having already demonstrated his lethal shot from distance and creativity to open up a defence, Pogba will relish the opportunity to contribute in this area of the pitch.

Mauro Icardi, Inter

Mauro Icardi burst onto the scene last season when he scored the decisive goal in a thrilling Derby della Lanterna, handing Sampdoria the spoils in a 3-1 win.

The Argentine further enhanced his reputation to deliver on the biggest stage when he grabbed a brace in the Juventus Stadium, shocking the Bianconeri in a 2-1 win for Samp.

The 20-year-old attracted the attention of Inter and was signed for approximately €6 million, according to Transfermarkt.

With Diego Milito in the latter stages of his career, the Nerazzurri clearly see Icardi as the man to build their future around.

Walter Mazzarri's great Napoli side was based around an outstanding centre-forward in Edinson Cavani, so Icardi will need to adapt quickly to meet the increased expectations at the Milanese giants.

Lorenzo Insigne, Napoli

Lorenzo Insigne shone for the Italian under-21 side this summer as the Azzurrini reached the final of the tournament, only to be beaten by Spain.

But it was a pleasure to see Lorenzinho deployed in a way that brought out his better qualities, as Walter Mazzarri often forced the 22-year-old to play in a more disjointed manner in order to benefit the team defensively.

Under Rafael Benitez in a 4-2-3-1, we will see Insigne in one of the three advanced positions, with license to roam more freely.

Insigne will likely battle with Jose Maria Callejon for the remaining spot in the trident to support Gonzalo Higuain as the lone striker.

The competition will likely spur him on and further bring out his exceptional ability to dribble past his opponents and use his imagination to find his teammates.

Felipe Anderson, Lazio

Felipe Anderson had made the move to Europe to join Lazio from Santos and there are high hopes for the Brazilian.

The 20-year-old will probably be utilised as the Biancocelesti's trequartista and will look to have a creative influence on the side to reduce that particular burden from Hernanes.

With Miroslav Klose fully recovered from injury, the Brazilian will hope to be able to earn plenty of assists as Lazio look to build on their success in the Coppa Italia last season.

An €8 million fee shows how much faith Lazio have put in the Seleção under-20 international and with a regular place in the starting lineup, it will be fascinating to see how he develops in Rome.

Simone Zaza, Sassuolo

Simone Zaza was a sensation in Serie B with Ascoli last term, scoring plenty of spectacular goals that drew the attention of Juventus.

The Bianconeri signed the Sampdoria starlet and immediately moved the forward to Sassuolo on a co-ownership basis, which will provide the player with more minutes on the pitch.

The 22-year-old notched 18 times last season in 35 games, so it will be interesting to see whether he can translate that form to Serie A and force the Old Lady to call him back for the following season.

Eusebio Di Francesco will look to utilise Zaza in a 4-3-3 formation that will provide plenty of support as the Emilian club look to survive in their first ever campaign in Serie A.