Francesco Pio Esposito
Country: Italy
Date of birth: 28/06/2005 (18 years old)
Place of birth: Castellammare di Stabia (Italy)
Height: 189cm
Youth career: Inter
Current club: Inter
Squad number: —
Current national team: Italy U-19
Position: centre-forward
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: UEFA Youth League 2021/2022 (1/0), UEFA Youth League 2022/2023 (7/1), 2022 UEFA European Under-17 Championship (4/1), 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification elite round (3/1), 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup (5/1), 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship (5/1)
Contract until: 30.06.2027
Player’s agent: M.A.R.A.T. Football Management
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Zlatan Ibrahimović
Strengths:
– finishing 
– link-up playÂ
– headingÂ
– techniqueÂ
– athleticismÂ
– first touchÂ
– instinct 
– off-the-ball movementÂ
– dribblingÂ
– ball controlÂ
To improve:
– a complete skillset for a striker of his age but still needs to keep improving some elements of his game such as explosivity, efficiency in pressing, and aggression and determination in the penalty area
Style of play:
– target man
– tall player with a superb body mass ratio, who knows how to use his body to gain advantage
– highly technical and elegant with the ball at his feet
– his physical power, aerial ability, and technique allow him to play fruitfully with his back to the goal/very good ability to connect with midfield and attacking partners
– often moves deeper into midfield and draws defenders with him in order to create and exploit spaces for his teammates
– generates many flick-ons and passes into the channels for his teammates to utilize
– able to link up beautifully or even lose markers with his exquisite first touch
– feels comfortable in tight spaces/under pressure thanks to his footwork, technique, and ball control
– in addition to his goalscoring ability, he is also a team player, who’s capable of creating chances and assisting goals for teammates
– intelligent forward with above-average vision, passing, and playmaking skills/has many qualities of a deep-lying forward
– extremely difficult to knock off the ball thanks to his strength, ability to shield the ball, and excellent close control
– likes to take advantage of the carelessness of the opponents/always alert to capitalize on defensive mistakes
– aerial threat in the opposition box
– indirect set-piece threat
– accurate penalty taker
Esposito controls the ball just outside the penalty area, makes a quick decision, and scores with a beautiful strike.
Esposito links up the play with back to goal and creates a big chance with a brilliant pass.
After a good cross, Esposito doesn’t give a chance to his marker and goalkeeper, and scores with a superb header.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Centre-forward in 4-3-3.
Video:
Achievements:
Italian U-17 Championship 2021/2022 runner-up with Inter.
Italian U-17 Championship 2021/2022 top scorer.
2023Â FIFA U-20Â World Cup runner-up with Italy.
2023 UEFAÂ European Under-19Â Championship winner with Italy.
League summary (as for 19 July 2023):
No senior league appearances yet.
Description:
Francesco Pio Esposito is a product of the Internazionale youth academy. He is the younger brother of two highly talented footballers Salvatore and Sebastiano. He is considered to be one of the most interesting U19s of his generation in Italy. Francesco Pio is also a regular youth international for Italy since the U-17 level. In July 2023, he was an important member of his national team at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, where Azzurini won the gold medal and showed a very interesting generation of players such as Cher Ndour, Luis Hasa, Michael Kayode, Giacomo Faticanti, Lorenzo Amatucci, Luca Lipani, Filippo Missori, Davide Mastrantonio, Luca D’Andrea, Lorenzo Dellavalle, Niccolò Pisilli, and Samuele Vignato.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
First team material in a top European league.
Links: