Over the years, Atalanta have long served as a talent hub that produces top-quality players.
Players like Amad Diallo and Frank Kessie, who have gone on to achieve big things in the sport, are examples of Atalanta products who have come through the system.
The latest top prospects Atalanta have produced are Giorgio Scalvini (22) and Honest Ahanor (17), who, alongside each other, are proving to be the next big defensive rock.
The stats exciting fans
The performance of this partnership is backed by data and it is nothing short of sensational. When both Scalvini and Ahanor have shared the pitch, Atalanta’s defense has proven very hard to break down.
A staggering five-game stretch in early 2026 saw the duo concede only a single goal. They also recorded massive clean sheets against traditional powerhouses like AS Roma and Juventus.
Against the latter, when Atalanta recorded a dominant 3-0 victory on February 5th, Scalvini produced a defensive masterclass that highlighted why he is now valued at nearly £35 million.
He finished the match with a 90% pass accuracy, 100% of his aerial duels won, and a crucial last-man tackle that snuffed out a certain Juventus goal.
Giorgio Scalvini: The right-footed Alessandro Bastoni
Despite his youth, Scalvini has already gathered the experience of a veteran. He has already made over 100 Serie A appearances since his bow in October 2021. As the icing on the cake, he has even won a UEFA Europa League title.
Standing at 194 centimeters tall, Scalvini has earned comparisons to Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni for his technical comfort in possession and willingness to step into the midfield. He is in the 82nd percentile for progressive passes from the back.
Even so, his defensive fundamentals remain his strongest asset. According to data by DataMD, he is in the 87th percentile for possessions won per 90, and has averaged an interception rate of 2.29 per match.
Beyond his defensive duties, Scalvini has developed a knack for crucial goals. He found the net against Roma in January and Lecce earlier in the campaign, proving himself to be a dual-threat asset in both boxes.
Honest Ahanor: The 17-year old wonderkid
While Scalvini has earned plaudits, Honest Ahanor has taken everyone by surprise. After becoming the first player born in 2008 to debut in Serie A with Genoa, Atalanta moved decisively last summer to secure his services for £17.31 million.
Ahanor is left-footed, exceptionally calm under pressure and has great recovery speed.
This gives Atalanta the freedom to set up with an aggressive high line. His ability to also bring the ball out of defence at pace allows them to beat stubborn low blocks.
It is an approach that has allowed Atalanta to maintain one of the lowest goals-against metrics in the league. They average just 0.88 goals conceded per game. In high-pressure situations, Ahanor has looked unfazed, as he showed during his UEFA Champions League debut against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.
A pairing made in heaven
The two have regularly been paired alongside a more experienced central defender, mostly Berat Djimsiti. At 32, he possesses the know-how of guiding them practically during in-game situations with his organisational skills.
This allows Scalvini to use his game-reading intelligence to anticipate play and intercept passes.
On the other flank, Ahanor’s energetic defending gives them the physical security needed.
Italy prospects: Can Ahonor represent them?
Italian media are justifiably excited about the prospect of both players starting together for the Azzurri and forming a long-standing partnership together.
However, Ahonor has yet to represent Italy at any level so far. Despite being born in Campania to Nigerian parents and spending his life in the country, he must wait until his 18th birthday on February 23, 2026, to officially claim citizenship and represent them.
With the Italian public desperate for a new defensive era to follow in the footsteps of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, the prospect of Ahanor and Scalvini replicating their Atalanta partnership on the international stage is a tantalizing one for fans across the peninsula.
Atalanta currently possesses the most promising defensive foundation in world football. The only question left is how long they can keep them together before the world’s biggest clubs come knocking with record-breaking offers.
