Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modric may be making their Serie A debuts, but at 34 and 40 respectively, the two maestros are already pulling the strings for Napoli and Milan.
Entering a new league as a ‘rookie’ over the age of 30 is a rare feat in professional sport. While the term is more synonymous with the NBA, it has found a new home in Serie A this season.
Monday sees a fascinating showdown between two Italian top-flight newcomers who arrive with unparalleled pedigree. Napoli boast the services of Kevin De Bruyne, a man widely hailed as the Premier League’s standout performer of the last decade. Opposite him, Milan will look to Modric, the veteran technician who served as the heartbeat of Real Madrid’s midfield for years.
Despite being 34 and 40 respectively, age appears to be a mere abstraction when the ball is at the feet of two of Europe’s most gifted playmakers.
The Milan midfieldercurrently sits second for attempted passes and second for successful passes across the division, trailing only Locatelli. His influence extends deep into the final third, where he also ranks second for successful passes in the final third and leads the league outright for pre-assists.
While a spell on the sidelines has hampered the Napoli star’s ability to dominate the statistical charts, his impact remains undeniable. He is already among the league’s most clinical for penalties converted and remains one of the few players to have found the net directly from a free-kick.