Furnari shows the cold eye of a finisher twice his years

"You can't teach that kind of calm," one scout muttered after Furnari's latest finish, a low drive into the far corner that betrayed no hint of nerves.

The boy from Salento has been watched closely since the autumn, and the reports are unanimous: his game has no obvious teenage gaps. That is not the same as saying he is the finished article, but at 17, Furnari already plays with a maturity that makes scouts sit up.

What stands out first is his determination. He chases lost causes, presses with intent, and never lets a defender settle. In one sequence against Bari, he closed down a centre-back, forced a hurried clearance, then sprinted forty yards to keep the ball alive. The crowd roared, but Furnari simply turned and jogged back, already scanning for the next duel.

His acceleration is a weapon. From a standing start, he can leave a full-back trailing, and once he hits top speed, he is difficult to stop without fouling. Yet it is his finishing that has caught the eye most. Six goals in 15 league games for a side fighting in Serie B is a healthy return, but the manner of the goals matters more. He has scored with both feet, shown composure one-on-one, and found the corners rather than blasting wildly. There is a coldness to him in the box that belies his years.

Stamina is the other trait that scouts keep mentioning. Furnari is still running in the 90th minute, making late runs into the channel and tracking back to help his full-back. In a recent draw with Cosenza, he covered more ground than any player on the pitch, according to those who count such things, and he was still offering an outlet deep into stoppage time.

Salento is not a glamorous club, but it is well known at home, and its supporters have taken to Furnari with a fervour that suggests they know what they are watching. The 11 major titles in the club's history speak of a tradition, but this is a new kind of hope: a homegrown forward with the tools to go far.

Scouts will continue to monitor him, and the next step will be telling. Serie B is a tough league, full of experienced defenders who will test his patience and his body. So far, Furnari has answered every question. The question is not whether he can cope, but how high he can climb.

For now, the boy from Salento is exactly where he needs to be: playing every week, scoring goals, and learning his craft. The rest will take care of itself.