Market values Serie B: Downgrades for Balotelli & Boateng - Ricci & Frattesi surpass Esposito
Transfermarkt.it has updated the market values of the Italian Serie B. Italy’s U21 international Samuele Ricci of league leaders FC Empoli is now the league’s most valuable player, up by €1.5 million to €9 million. The 19-year-old midfielder is one of the country’s biggest talents and has played a significant role in the Tuscans having a very good chance of being promoted. Ricci had already attracted a lot of interest last summer, and was linked with AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund, among other clubs.
Just like his teammate at the Azzurrini, Davide Frattesi (+€2 million to €7 million) of AC Monza, Ricci surpasses Sebastiano Esposito. The 18-year-old is also one of the greatest jewels of Italian football. Belonging to Inter Milan, the striker was supposed to gain match practice at relegated SPAL. Head coach Pasquale Marino, however, relies on much more experienced attackers at the club, so Esposito’s loan was cut short and he was shifted to Venezia FC. At the traditional club, he has been on the pitch in all but one game so far, but is still waiting for his first goal. He also scored just once in ten matches for SPAL. Esposito’s market value drops by €3 million to €6 million.
Esposito, Ricci & Co.: The most valuable Italian U21 players
Things are better for his namesake Salvatore Esposito, who is a regular in defensive midfield at SPAL and has already registered three goals and four assists in 22 matches. Esposito is one of many younger players with a multi-million plus, rising by €1.7 million to €3 million. Monza’s Davide Bettella (+€2 million to €4 million) and Carlos Augusto (+€2 million to €5 million) or Empoli’s Nedim Bajrami (+€2.3 million to €5 million) are also upgraded significantly.
Minus for Serie B’s big names: Boateng & Balotelli downgraded
This contrasts with arguably the league’s most prominent players: Kevin-Prince Boateng plays a major role at promotion contenders Monza, who are owned by Silvio Berlusconi. In 18 appearances, the former Premier League player already totalled five goals and four assists. Boateng’s minus of €500,000 to €2.5 million is only due to his age. In a few weeks, the Berlin native will celebrate his 34th birthday.
The situation is different for his teammate Mario Balotelli. The 30-year-old, who came to Monza and is back under the protective hands of ex-Milan bosses Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani since December after several months without a club, has only been playing a major role for a few weeks due to fitness issues. Nevertheless, Balotelli has already scored two goals in four matches for the club. However, the move to Serie B and his advancing age have now led to a further substantial devaluation: Balotelli’s market value has been halved to €1.5 million. The last time he was even lower was as a 17-year-old in February 2008, when he was still under contract with Inter.
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 06.03.1987 (36)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Retired
- Contract until:
- -
- Position:
- Attacking Midfield
- Market Value:
- -
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 02.07.2002 (21)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- UC Sampdoria
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2024
- Position:
- Centre-Forward
- Market Value:
- €3.50m