Davide Frattesi: Deep Dive into Italy’s Rising Engine

Davide Frattesi has rocketed from promising academy talent to one of Serie A’s most talked-about midfielders, blending relentless energy with a growing end-product that has caught the eye of elite clubs and national-team selectors alike. This in-depth profile collates his journey, numbers and tactical nuances to explain why the 24-year-old is fast becoming a cornerstone for both Inter Milan and the Azzurri.

Davide Frattesi’s Career Path

Born in Rome in 1999, Frattesi joined the AS Roma academy at 14 before moving to Sassuolo in 2017 in search of a clearer first-team pathway. Loan spells at Ascoli, Empoli and Monza sharpened his game; each stop added layers to his box-to-box repertoire, from timing late runs into the area to improving defensive awareness. By 2021, Sassuolo handed him a starting role, and he rewarded the Neroverdi with eight league goals, the third-best tally among Serie A midfielders that season. His consistency attracted Inter Milan, who secured him on an initial loan with obligation to buy in summer 2023.

Season-by-Season Stats

2018-19: Ascoli (Serie B)

34 apps, 2 goals, 3 assists – first taste of senior football, learning defensive positioning in a double pivot.

2019-20: Empoli (Serie B)

38 apps, 5 goals, 4 assists – dramatic leap in forward contributions after being granted license to surge beyond the striker.

2020-21: Monza (Serie B)

36 apps, 8 goals, 2 assists – showcased goal-scoring knack, ranking among the league’s top five midfield scorers.

2021-23: Sassuolo (Serie A)

67 apps, 11 goals, 4 assists – proved top-flight readiness; averaged 1.9 shots and 2.1 tackles per game while covering 11 km on average.

2023-24: Inter Milan (Serie A & Champions League)

Debut season numbers (to date): 28 apps, 6 goals, 3 assists, 86 % pass accuracy – already matching veteran teammates for progressive carries.

Playing Style: Box-to-Box Brilliance

Frattesi’s game is built on perpetual motion. Whether deployed as an attacking 8 in Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 or as one of two shuttlers in Roberto Mancini’s midfield three, he thrives on third-man runs. Off the ball he presses aggressively, logging 7.2 pressures in the final third per 90 minutes. With it, he favours quick one-twos, then sprints into the area; 57 % of his touches occur in the opposition half. His work rate doesn’t come at the expense of technique—he records 1.3 key passes and completes 58 passes per game with vertical intent.

Davide Frattesi at Inter Milan

The move to San Siro was initially met with questions about squad congestion, yet Frattesi’s adaptability has made him indispensable. He alternates seamlessly with Nicolò Barella, offering Inzaghi the tactical luxury of maintaining an intense press without sacrificing goal threat. Notably, his match-winning brace against Fiorentina in September underscored his knack for late-box arrivals, a trait Inter have lacked since Arturo Vidal’s prime.

International Impact with Italy

Frattesi’s senior Italy debut arrived in June 2022. Since then he has amassed 15 caps and five goals, including a decisive double versus Ukraine in Euro 2024 qualifying. His chemistry with Jorginho and Barella allows the Azzurri to switch from a conservative 4-3-3 to a more aggressive 3-4-2-1 mid-game, with Frattesi the free-running piece that unsettles defences.

The Numbers Reveal Consistency

According to Goal’s statistics database, the midfielder ranks in the 92nd percentile among Europe’s top five-league midfielders for expected goals from open play (0.24 xG/90) and 88th percentile for progressive carries (4.7/90). Conversely, his foul count is modest—just 1.2 per 90—highlighting disciplined aggression. His heat map shows equal coverage across both flanks, emphasising tactical versatility.

Opinion: Why Frattesi’s Ceiling Remains High

Despite rapid progress, Frattesi’s game still has room to mature—particularly in slowing tempo when required and expanding his passing range under pressure. Yet the combination of stamina, timing and scoring instinct is rare. If he develops greater composure in tight spaces, Inter may have secured the heir to their storied mezzala lineage, and Italy could bank on a midfield trio capable of replicating the golden 2006 balance. In short, the engine can still rev higher.