The rising Italian supernova has also been impressed with Kim Min-jae’s performance this season. He singled out Kim as his favorite opponent.
In a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, former Serie A Empoli midfielder Tommaso Baldanzi, who is currently competing at the FIFA U-20 World Cup with Italy’s U-20 national team, named Kim as the player who has impressed him the most this season.
“There are so many defenders, it’s hard to choose,” he said, “but I would say the one that impressed me the most was Kim Min-jae. He was very impressive.”
The 2003-born midfielder has been playing for Empoli since this season. He has scored four goals in 26 league appearances and has successfully established himself in the first team. Against Napoli, however, he struggled to find the net.
Despite starting in both the first and second leg, he was unable to register an attacking point against the ironclad defense of Kim Min-jae, as Empoli lost both games 0-2 to Napoli.
Currently at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, Baldanzi started all three group stage matches, scoring a goal in the round of 16 against England in a 2-1 victory.
In the quarterfinals against Colombia on Thursday, he had a goal and two assists, including the game-winner, and was involved in all of Italy’s goals in a 3-1 win.
His stock is skyrocketing. Valdanza is reportedly high on Napoli’s list of reinforcements for the new season after his troubles. Other top Italian clubs are also poised to make a move for him this summer.
Kim Min-jae’s performance has been very impressive, even in the eyes of Italy’s top prospects. Despite this being his first season in the big leagues, he has been an integral part of Napoli’s core defense, helping them win their first league title in 33 years. For this, he was named Serie A’s best defender. He was the first Asian to win the award and the first from a championship team. He was also named to the Team of the Year and Best 11 and was recognized as the most outstanding defender of the season.스포츠토토
From playing in the fringe leagues just a year ago, Kim has grown into a player that big European clubs have been eyeing. Napoli are in danger of letting Kim leave after just one year.
There have been reports that Manchester City, Newcastle United, and others are considering signing him. Currently, English giants Manchester United are showing great interest in signing Kim.