John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Jamie Vardy: why so many Premier League thirty-somethings join Serie A?

John Stones’ move to Inter Milan, confirmed on Thursday, crystallises Serie A’s pull for Premier League thirty-somethings, a market that suits clubs and players, while leaving the Nazionale potentially short-changed.

“Athletically, in runs or accelerations, they often make big differences,” said Juventus sporting director Marco Ottolini, speaking to The Times.

Stones, 32 with 94 England caps, joins after 10 years at Manchester City. The pathway is not new, from Ashley Young at Inter in 2020 to Olivier Giroud at Milan in 2021, but it has quickened.

His case reflects rising English exports, now 11 in Serie A, and Italy’s preference for seasoned imports. If he puts injuries behind him, after only 20 league games in two seasons, he could steady Inter’s back line.

Francesco Acerbi managed that role until leaving in late June at 38. An Italian market insider notes coaches often trust experience more than youth.

Italy can match or come close to English salaries, and Stones will earn four million euros a year. The 2024 scrapping of the decreto crescita has not dimmed ambition. He also praised Lombardy’s lifestyle on arrival.

The formula does not always land, as Kevin De Bruyne’s difficulties at Napoli last season showed. Scott McTominay, by contrast, flourished after leaving Manchester United a year earlier.

Walter Sabatini warns Italy admires elsewhere and undervalues its own, amid a leadership crisis of confidence versus the Premier League. With foreigners at 65% last season, any World Cup return for the Nazionale will depend on homegrown talent.

Source: L'Équipe