Napoli’s early-season results have been accompanied by a clear picture of the squad’s profile: experience remains the foundation, while the club’s younger signings are being asked to carry a longer-term renewal.
Napoli’s veteran core shapes Allegri’s opening chapter
Massimiliano Allegri selected Serie A’s oldest starting XI of the first four rounds when Napoli beat Bologna at the Maradona on Sunday. His side began the match with an average age of 29 years and 221 days, compared with Bologna’s 26 years.
The figure is not limited to one afternoon. Across starters and substitutes used so far, Napoli have the highest average age in the division at 29 years and 14 days.
That places them more than a year and four months above Inter, the next oldest squad by the same measure, with an average of 27 years and 238 days. Monza are the youngest side at 24 years and 80 days, while Napoli’s next opponents Fiorentina are fourth youngest, still within the 24-year-old range at 24 years and 336 days.
Quick facts
- Napoli’s XI against Bologna averaged 29 years and 221 days.
- Napoli lead Serie A for average age of players used: 29 years and 14 days.
- Inter are second at 27 years and 238 days.
- Monza have the youngest group, averaging 24 years and 80 days.
- Fiorentina, Napoli’s next opponents, rank fourth youngest at 24 years and 336 days.
The numbers underline the work still facing Napoli in reducing the age of the group. The process began in January with the arrivals of 23-year-old Alisson Santos and 22-year-old Giovane, and continued in the summer with Vergara’s renewal and the signing of 22-year-old Favasuli.
Favasuli was the club’s only clear long-term investment during the summer window. Napoli took the full-back from Catanzaro on loan with an obligation to buy worth €1 million plus €7 million, and gave him the same extended protection as Vergara.
Both players are formally under contract until 2031, with three annual extension clauses that could keep them at the club until 2034. Alongside Costantino, Antonio, Alisson and Giovane, they form part of the group Napoli hope will define the next phase.
There are further younger options in the squad: 22-year-old Marianucci, 23-year-old Hojlund, 24-year-old Rafa Marin, plus 25-year-olds Gilmour and Badiashile. Badiashile arrived from Chelsea on loan with an option to buy, so his longer-term place remains less certain.
Lucca is 26, while Lang, Buongiorno and Beukema are all 27. Olivera is 28, and Meret, Milinkovic, McTominay and Neres are 29. In total, Napoli have 18 players below the age of 30.
Yet the regular spine is overwhelmingly older. Kevin De Bruyne, now 35, leads that experienced section, although he is only 11th among Serie A’s oldest players. Luka Modric tops the list after turning 41 on 9 September, followed by 38-year-old Nemanja Matic and 37-year-old Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
There is also a cluster of 35-year-olds that includes Fiorentina goalkeeper David De Gea, due to face Napoli on Sunday, and former Napoli defender Juan Jesus. Napoli’s own senior group includes Contini and Anguissa, both 30, Lobotka at 31, Rrahmani at 32, and Politano, Spinazzola and Di Lorenzo at 33.
Aside from third-choice goalkeeper Nikita Contini, those senior players are regarded as starters. Napoli’s season, therefore, is being carried by proven hands, while the board’s recruitment work points toward a slower generational change rather than an immediate overhaul.
SEO Title: Napoli’s veteran squad leads Serie A age rankings under Allegri
SEO Description: Napoli fielded Serie A’s oldest starting XI in the opening four rounds, with Allegri relying on an experienced core while the club develops younger players for the future.
