Luciano Spalletti needs everyone, truly everyone. He does not even rule out the possibility that tonight at the AFAS Stadion he might bring in a player from the Next Gen, lent temporarily to the first team to cover the injury emergency. The four youngsters called up for the trip are Destiny Elimoghale, Augusto Owusu, Pagnucco and Merola, described as the talents standing out in the Next Gen who dream of the first team.
Owusu: The Only One With a First-Team Appearance
Among them, Augusto Owusu stands out. He is the only one who has already earned a first-team appearance. He made his Europa League debut in the closing minutes against NEC Nijmegen in the 5-0 win in September, and he hopes to repeat the experience in Alkmaar.
A Renewal and Offers From Serie B
It is a significant week for the midfielder, born in 2005. He has just agreed a contract extension until June 2029. The deal was strongly wanted by Juventus, who consider him a first-team element in every respect, which links it to the renewal of Elimoghale to the same date announced on Tuesday and the club’s emphasis on its youth pipeline.
The January window is a separate question. Tuttosport says there is a queue of Serie B clubs that could take Owusu on loan, and Juventus are ready to weigh that option, aware that the Next Gen stage is starting to feel a little tight for him. It is the same kind of loan-and-development path that Licina has followed at Cremonese this season.
Milani’s Call
Owusu’s story is a Turin one. He has worn the same shirt for a lifetime, and it began in the northern outskirts of the city, in the Barriera di Milano district. He stood out at the Centrocampo football school and did not take long to be noticed. Gigi Milani was the first to set eyes on the boy and secured him, bringing him quickly to Vinovo when he was only eight. At the first call he turned up on a scooter, with his feet firmly on the ground.
