While calcio connoisseurs wait one more week for league action to return in Italy, a few familiar faces were making their mark in England’s top flight.

The route from Serie A to the Premier League is becoming a path well trodden in recent years – with Giovanni Leoni one of the latest talents to make the transition, leaving Parma for Liverpool.

It leaves fans of Italian clubs watching on wistfully as some of their past heroes take the hit on the weather front to test themselves in a different country.

There were a few in action over the weekend and Destination Calcio has rounded up the most eye-catching performances from Serie A’s former stars.

Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City)

Manchester City were rampant against Wolves on Saturday. City won 4-0 away from home and the main man was Tijjani Reijnders – a summer acquisition fresh from tearing it up in Serie A with AC Milan.

Reijnders worked tirelessly in midfield for City, covering what felt like the whole right side of the pitch. He clocked a total distance of 11.6km for the match, more than any other Man City player.

The Dutchman scored a fabulous goal on the break that put his side 2-0 up in the first half. Then he made a fantastic forward run and slipped in Erling Haaland to put the game out of reach.

Reijnders endeared himself to his new teammates and fans with a wonderful performance. It was a dream start for Serie A’s 2024-25 midfielder of the season and a stark reminder to Milan fans of what they need to replace back at the San Siro.

Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest)

Another man that made the move from the Serie A to the Premier League this summer is ex-Bologna attacker Dan Ndoye. The Swiss international got on the scoresheet as Forest started the new campaign with a victory.

Ndoye scored a magnificent header for the home side just before the break. That put Forest 2-0 up against Brentford and firmly in the driving seat. They went on to win 3-1.

Ndoye only scored eight league goals for Bologna last term but he already has his first Premier League strike. The 24 year-old received a standing ovation from Forest fans as he was substituted off in the 79th minute.

Federico Chiesa (Liverpool)

Federico Chiesa, now in his second season at Liverpool, finally had his name in Anfield lights on Friday night. The reigning Premier League champions were toiling for a winner in their home opener against Bournemouth, until the Italian took to the field.

The Cherries had pegged Liverpool back to 2-2 after trailing 2-0, and it seemed likely that they would take at least a point from their visit to Merseyside. Then in the 88th minute a scramble in the Bournemouth box saw the ball drop to Federico Chiesa, and the Italy international made absolutely no mistake. Dispatching perfectly, Chiesa sent the Kop wild and put the Reds 3-2 up.

It was the big moment he had been waiting for. Rumours had suggested Chiesa might have another chance at Liverpool this year and the player has always insisted he wanted to stay and fight for his playing time.

Perhaps now manager Arne Slot will see him as a more important contributor in the squad and allow the Italian more minutes to change games. It could also be the catalyst for a return to Italy’s international squad in a World Cup year.

Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal)

The Premier League opening weekend also boasted one of the biggest fixtures in English football; Manchester United v Arsenal. On the day United impressed, whilst Arsenal never really got into any attacking rhythm – but they were saved by an Italian at the back post.

Riccardo Calafiori scored the only goal of the game with a first-half header. The defender poked home on the line as Arsenal took advantage of another set-piece.

Calafiori, like Chiesa, is another Italian in his second season in England, who showed some glimpses of magic during his first campaign, but also suffered injury setbacks and competition to maintain a spot in the starting XI.

The full back is clearly a part of Mikel Arteta’s plans and if he can stay fit this year he too will be crucial for the Azzurri in World Cup qualifying. He is another former Bologna player and another example of recent Italian talent being exported to England.

Perhaps this season Calafiori can show what a successful signing he is for Arsenal, and what Serie A have lost at the hands of the Premier League yet again.