Staying Put: Why doesn't Italy's youth move abroad?

With the recent rumor of German club Borussia Dortmund being linked with Torino's Ciro Immobile as Robert Lewandowski's replacement, I thought to myself "Why haven't Italy's youth attracted more interest?" I often think about this topic as I witness young Spaniards, Germans, and Brazilians transfer across Europe to big-time clubs. Serie A is loaded with talent and anyone who watches Italian football knows that. Calcio fans could compose their own list  of the top 10 young talents in Serie A and I bet many of the lists will contain different players.


Here are just a few of the many Italian gems in Serie A, 24 and under:

Milan's Mattia De Sciglio- age 21
Milan's Stephan El Shaarawy- age 21
Milan's Riccardo Saponara- age 22
Milan's Bryan Cristante- age 18
Sassuolo's Domenico Berardi (on loan from Juve)- age 19
Sassuolo's Simone Zaza (co-owned by Juve)- age 22
Roma's Mattia Destro- age 22
Roma's Alessandro Florenzi- age 22
Roma's Alessio Romagnoli- age 19
Samp's Manolo Gabbiadini (co-owned by Juve)- age 22
Genoa's Mattia Perin- age 21
Torino's Ciro Immobile (co-owned by Juve)- age 24
Napoli's Lorenzo Insigne- age 22
Livorno's Francesco Bardi (on loan from Inter)-age 22


Some of these players have attracted major interest from big clubs across Europe. Stephan El Shaarawy was subject to transfer rumors last summer as clubs from Russia and England enquired about the young Milan star. Domenico Berardi's 4 goal display v Milan earlier this year caught the attention of many across Europe. The 19 year old has had an incredible year for Sassuolo and has virtually carried the club. Ciro Immobile appears to be a target for Klopp and Dortmund this summer as they look to replace Lewandowksi, who has agreed to a move to German rival Bayern Munich. Catching the trend?

Mario Balotelli was the most recent big-time Italian talent to move abroad when he made the switch from Inter to Manchester City for around 20+ million in 2010. After a few seasons under Mancini at City, Mario Balotelli moved back to Italy when he joined Milan in the January transfer window last year. Mario is one of the few in the past few years to move out of the homeland and that has been the trend for a while now.

Why haven't we seen such talent move abroad when they have proven their worth in one of Europe's elite leagues? Could it be related to past trends of some players not being able to adjust to the different playing style of the league? Are they homesick? Or does club loyalty mean more in Italy than it does in other leagues? It remains a question mark. What we do know is that Serie A holds some valuable gems that are certainly ready to shine as we approach the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Azzurri fans should be foaming out the mouth.