The trend of players labeled as “rejects” in the Premier League moving to Serie A and becoming top stars is one of the fascinating stories of modern football.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable wave of players leaving the world’s most famous league for Italy, and the summer of 2024 has seen this trend continue to be more vibrant than ever. Scott McTominay, a Manchester United midfielder, is the latest name on his way to joining Napoli. Including McTominay, there are now ten players from the Premier League who have moved to Serie A during this summer’s transfer window, more than from any other top league.
Previously, Serie A welcomed eight players from La Liga, four from the Bundesliga, and just eight from Ligue 1. This is not just a coincidence but a clear sign that Serie A has long been an ideal destination for undervalued stars in England.
The main reason behind this boom may stem from the shift in tactics and playing styles in Serie A. While the Premier League is famous for its fast pace, intensity, and high physical demand, Serie A is characterized by technical play, tactical thinking, and game control. Players who fail to find their place in the Premier League often can thrive in Italy, where skills and experience are highly valued.
Chris Smalling, who was released by Manchester United, found a new life at AS Roma. Since moving to Italy in 2019, Smalling has become a mainstay of Roma’s defense, helping the capital club achieve significant successes such as winning the UEFA Europa Conference League in the 2021/22 season and finishing as runners-up in the UEFA Europa League in the 2022/23 season. His career transformation in Serie A clearly shows that a player can completely change how fans and experts perceive him when placed in a suitable environment.
Similarly, Tammy Abraham has also shone brightly at Roma after leaving Chelsea in 2021. Abraham quickly became one of Serie A’s top strikers, scoring 27 goals in his first season and becoming a key figure in the team’s play.
Not only Smalling and Abraham, but players like Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Romelu Lukaku have also found a resurgence in Serie A. Pulisic and Loftus-Cheek, who struggled to secure their positions at Chelsea, have found stability and flourished at AC Milan. Lukaku, after an unsuccessful spell at Manchester United, moved to Inter Milan in 2019, where he enjoyed the peak years of his career, scoring 34 and 30 goals in two consecutive seasons. After failing to make an impact upon returning to Chelsea, Lukaku once again returned to Serie A to regain his form at Inter (in the 2022/23 season) and later at Roma (in the 2023/24 season).
The common thread among these players is their ability to adapt to the technical and tactical style of Serie A. They have not only reasserted their value but have also contributed to a new, vibrant image for the league. Serie A was once considered to be losing its appeal compared to other top leagues, but the arrival of players from the Premier League has brought fresh energy, enhancing the quality and attractiveness of the league.
McTominay’s move to Napoli further reinforces this trend. The Scottish midfielder may no longer be a first-choice player at Manchester United, but with his strong playing style, solid defensive capabilities, and fighting spirit, he could very well become an important part of Napoli’s squad.
Serie A, with its ability to harness talents previously undervalued in other leagues, is becoming a place where players can revive their careers and prove their true worth. Amid an increasingly competitive transfer market, Serie A’s continued attraction of Premier League players shows that this league still has great potential to grow and create new success stories.
