Serie A is evolving into an "aging league," but its competitiveness endures

Serie A clubs are set to sign multiple players over 30 this summer, further raising the league’s average player age. The experience and playing rhythm of veteran players are a double-edged sword, yet frequent signings of older stars do not mean Serie A has lost its competitiveness.
It is evident that Serie A teams now generally tend to strengthen their squads with players over 30, even approaching 40. Some refer to this phenomenon as the "nostalgia effect" or affectionately call it a "safe second-hand choice," while others view it as a lack of fresh ideas.
However, it is wrong and unfair to generalize. Each player has their own story, and more importantly, every team has its own plan—these seasoned players may integrate in more or less effective and sensible ways. Nevertheless, this trend does exist and has raised many questions.
First, we need to try to understand why Serie A attracts so many veteran players. Many are returning familiar faces: for example, Ciro Immobile and Edin Dzeko, set to return to Italy after stints in Turkey; plus Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, who recently worked together in Toronto.
There are also high-profile signings, such as Luka Modric and Kevin De Bruyne—two absolute protagonists in European football over the past decade, now poised to step onto the Serie A stage.
Whether driven by nostalgia for their homeland, financial incentives, or a desire to stay in a competitive league, one reason for Serie A’s abundance of players over 30 is its slower pace of play. The generally leisurely match rhythm gives these undoubted yet older talents more room to thrive.
Of course, a large number of veterans has drawbacks, which become apparent when teams compete with other leagues. Particularly in European competitions, where Italian sides must face other top clubs across the continent, some have already paid the price in terms of tempo and intensity.
But Inter Milan has proven that age is not an issue when a clear tactical philosophy is in place. Thus, as mentioned earlier, it is unfair to blindly dismiss these signings.