After finally achieving promotion to Serie A on their third attempt, Parma is sticking to the successful formula that brought them victory, opting for continuity in their squad. The team has retained most of the core group under coach Fabio Pecchia, who excelled in Serie B. This decision is likely to benefit fantasy football managers, as they can more easily navigate potential starters, substitutes, penalty takers, and players for set pieces.
The main signings for the new season are Japanese goalkeeper Ju Takahashi Suzuki, who comes from Sint-Truiden and is expected to become the first-choice keeper soon, and left-back Emanuele Valeri, who arrived on a free transfer despite originally being linked with Lazio after a six-month stint at Frosinone.
Last season in Serie B, Parma showcased their attacking prowess by scoring 66 goals—the second-best in the league—with an impressive total of 14 different players finding the net. This makes investing in Parma’s attacking midfielders a sensible choice for fantasy leagues. Dennis Man, who shone at the recent European Championships with Romania, contributed 11 goals and 5 assists in Serie B and is in top form. Meanwhile, Spanish playmaker Bernabé, a product of Manchester City’s youth academy, is poised for a breakout season after tallying 8 goals and 4 assists last campaign.
In this collaborative scoring effort, right-back Enrico Delprato also stands out, as he seems set to establish himself in Italy’s top league. On the lookout for potential surprises is Polish striker Benedyczak. He will face competition for a starting role from Bonny, but if he secures a place in the lineup—and takes penalties—he could well reach double figures in goals.
Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Suzuki; Delprato, Osorio, Circati, Valeri; Estevez, Hernani; Man, Bernabé, Mihaila; Bonny. Substitute options include Man/Partipilo and Bonny/Benedyczak. Penalty takers are expected to be Benedyczak, Man, and Bonny, while free-kick responsibilities may fall to Mihaila, Bernabé, and Hernani.