Manchester United´s Italian
forward Federico Macheda
ROME (AFP) - Teenage striker Federico Macheda's
staggering impact at Manchester United has sparked a raging debate
in Italy on how to stem the exodus of the country's brightest
talents.
Macheda's startling goal-scoring start to life as a United
senior player has fans here wondering what's so wrong with their
own football that their best young players move away.
Once the predator, Italy is now feeling what it's like to be the
prey and the economic muscle of the English Premier League is
largely responsible for that.
It was for financial reasons that Macheda left Lazio to sign for
United while just 16, but now Italy want UEFA to intervene to stop
other young players being prised away.
According to Ciro Ferrara, a former rugged defender with
Juventus but now head of the club's junior section, it's not
Italy's fault that top players are being poached.
"You can't talk about a failure of Italian football,
international rules have changed," he said.
"(UEFA president Michel) Platini has to intervene, UEFA have to
stop the exodus of our young footballers to foreign shores.
"Players are often taken away by paying off their families but
the rules shouldn't allow it."
Macheda is not the only young player to have been tempted by
United as they also pinched midfielder Davide Petrucci off Lazio's
city rivals AS Roma.
But according to another player seduced by United, it is Italian
clubs who are at fault for not giving young players enough of a
chance.
Giuseppe Rossi left Parma for United at 17 before being sold to
Spaniards Villarreal. But for spending half a season on loan back
at Parma in 2006/07, the 22-year-old has spent his entire senior
career playing outside the country he represents at international
level.
"Why don't I play in Italy? It's not my fault. Clubs make their
decisions and I make my own," he said.
"The important thing is to show off your skills in front of a
big crowd. And when you play you have a chance to be seen.
"Italian football is changing, giving more chances to young
players. That's the right decision because the talent is there.
"In England and Spain everything is different, they have more
patience. Barcelona have three or four 20 year olds in their first
team."
An example of the apparent unwillingness to give youth a chance
can be found at AC Milan, who last season saw the emergence of two
teenage forwards - Brazilian Pato and Italian Alberto Paloschi.
But while Pato has gone on to become an established first team
regular, Paloschi was allowed to leave for Serie B Parma during the
close season.
With marquee signings Ronaldinho and Andrei Shevchenko failing
to make an impact, and Marco Borriello injured, Milan have instead
turned to veteran 35-year-old forward Filippo Inzaghi to lead the
line.
In fairness, Inzaghi has been enjoying an Indian summer to his
career with 10 goals in his last seven matches, but Milan have been
criticised for not taking a chance on youth and kept hold of
Paloschi rather than Inzaghi.
It may not be a bad thing for his career, though, as he has seen
plenty of first team action in Serie B, scoring nine goals in 32
appearances.
He may well be plying his trade regularly in Serie A next season
and getting more playing time than he would have done with
Milan.
But even so, Ferrara thinks teams in Italy need to take more
risks on young players.
"It's a mistake not to spend much money on the youth system and
give players a chance to emerge, even to go on the pitch and make
mistakes," he said.
"It takes time for them to develop. But teams have an
obligation to win and they choose a less risky path, but even that
doesn't guarantee victories."
