Jacopo Fazzini: Empoli’s Hidden Gem
Club: Empoli
Nationality: Italy
Position(s): CM, AM
Preferred Foot: Right
Height: 5’10”/178cm
Age: 21
Strengths: agility, dribbling, passing variance, duels, defensive work-rate, press resistance, athleticism
Areas of Development: application, strength
It seems like every year, there’s a new interior midfielder who’s leaving one of Serie A’s smaller teams and taking his talents to one of the biggest clubs in Italy. In 2019, it was Nicolò Barella who swapped Cagliari for Inter Milan. In 2020, it was Sandro Tonali who traded Brescia for Milan. In 2021, Manuel Locatelli left Sassuolo for Juventus, whilst the following year would see Kristijan Asllani depart Empoli for Inter Milan.
At 21 years of age, Jacopo Fazzini could very well become the next player to make this step up. Born in Massa, Italy, Fazzini developed at Viareggio and Capezzano before joining Empoli’s academy in 2017. After winning the 2020/21 league title with Empoli’s U-19s, Fazzini would make his first-team debut on January 19, 2022 in a 3-2 Coppa Italia defeat to Inter. Fast forward three years, and Fazzini has established himself as a key figure at Empoli with 3 goals and 2 assists in 62 appearances.
Boasting tremendous agility and close control, Fazzini loves to take on players in the final third and in deeper areas, making him a press-resistant midfielder who can carry the ball from the first phase into the more advanced areas. Fazzini isn’t an out-and-out goal-scorer, but he has shown a lot of composure when in the box to finish past the keeper. Although (depending on his role) he doesn’t get in these positions often, when he does, he looks comfortable.
Athleticism is one of Fazzini’s best traits as he covers a lot of ground and then enters the final third where he can show off his crossing ability, as his decision-making and final pass is stellar. What’s more, Fazzini’s passing variance is top-quality. Whether it’s his crosses from wide on either foot, an accurate final ball to play someone through, early crosses, half-space crosses, passing through the lines, Fazzini can create from deep or create in the final third.
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As a box-to-box midfielder, Fazzini affects the game in all phases. He’s defensively active and intelligent in timing his tackles, and when carrying the ball from deep, he rides challenges and uses his body well to shield the ball. All in all, he’s a fundamental component of Empoli’s build-up.
However, there are a few aspects of his game Fazzini needs to develop. Mainly his strength as he’s a little lightweight, but it’s expected with his age and stature. He should start to take more risks on the ball, take control and ownership of the game, but this will certainly come with more experience. This season has seen Fazzini go from a rotation player to one of the first names on the team sheet, and we can expect him to take some significant strides in his development.
Due to the all-rounder nature of Jacopo Fazzini’s game, he likely shouldn’t move up to a #10 or down to a #6. Instead, he’s the type who needs to be utilised in all phases. He’ll thrive and become most valuable as an interior/all-action #8, but whilst he is good in defensive facets, he certainly excels further up the pitch in the final third, often impressing as one of the two attacking midfielders.
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Empoli currently operate in a 3-4-2-1, where the 8s have a lot more responsibility in comparison to a three-man midfield. With Fazzini still developing physically and adjusting to senior football, he’s likely best used as a 10 in this system, but going forward, his best role may very well be as an #8 in a 3-man midfield who can chip in defensively and contribute in the final third.
Whilst he’s still far away from reaching his prime, Fazzini has harkened similarities to that of a younger Nicolò Barella when he was breaking through at Cagliari. A less physical but more agile version, Fazzini is an exciting prospect who will likely continue growing under the tutelage of Roberto D’Aversa at Empoli. He has already represented Italy at the U17, U18, U19, U20 and U21 level, and it may only be a matter of time before he makes his debut for the senior team.
By: Ben Mattinson / @Ben_Mattinson_
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Alessandro Sabattini / Getty Images