Originally Posted by
tommy_c12000
Thought it might be good to consolidate updates/discussion on our 4 Italian-based youngsters for next season: Zefi, Heffernan, Ebosele, Abankwah. Mods can feel free to merge somewhere else if not appropriate. It’s exciting though.
It is difficult to get information on how our current crop are really doing this season given they haven’t advanced to primavera (u19) level yet.
From my review on available resources (not formed from having seen any games), Heffernan seems to be doing excellent. He is starting regularly for their u18s (a year up), has been part of a 3 man central defense and has also played right back. Milan’s u18s have had a strong finish to the season with several clean sheets coinciding with Heffernan’s starts. Hopefully he will get a permanent deal soon, anyone with insight here? He looks in an excellent position to start for their primavera side next season which would be good progress.
Zefi has done well for their under 17s with a few goals and assists. Interestingly, Esposito appears to be their star striker, and has been appearing for their u18s too, seems a bit ahead of Zefi. Zefi has only made the bench once for u18s I think. I’m a bit surprised by Zefi’s lack of advancement through the age groups as season progressed. I expect I’m reading a bit too much into it. I know there’s the usual sound bytes from his agent Carr that things are going great, he has even trained with seniors etc. Hopefully it’s a matter of then managing his talent carefully and he will progress straight to their primavera side next season and bypass the u18s. On a side note, some people may recall Nolan had a star striker called Esposito as well during his Inter underage days who advanced quickly, I don’t think they are related.
Anyone with insight into current Udinese squad? Where will our guys fit in? Assume Abankwah will start with their primavera side? Ebosele an outside chance of establishing himself with first team? Watford loan as the cynics proposed?!