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List of top 7 Empoli best players

Top 7 Empoli best players of all time

Empoli FC is not a big name in Italian football, but it is one of the teams with a rich identity and great contributions to developing talent. From Serie B to Serie A, Empoli has always stood out thanks to its technical, disciplined playing style and the ability to produce excellent players, many of whom later became stars at top European clubs. In the framework of sports betting, understanding the symbols associated with the history of the club such as Empoli is an important factor that helps players evaluate the scoring trend, the performance of the attack defense and the ability to play in key matches. Below is a list of Empoli best players shared by Kingsoccertips.com!

List of top 7 Empoli best players

Below is a list of 7 of Empoli’s best players, names that have contributed significantly to the history and unique identity of the team.

Top 7: Ismael Bennacer

Ismael Bennacer only played for Empoli for two seasons (2017–2019), but he left an exceptionally clear and lasting mark. He was a key figure in helping the club win the Serie B title in the 2017–18 season and was considered one of the most promising midfielders in Serie A at the time. After leaving Empoli, Bennacer continued to shine at AC Milan and was named the Best Player of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations while representing the Algerian national team.

Ismael Bennacer - Creative midfielder, instrumental in winning Serie B and lifting Empoli
Ismael Bennacer – Creative midfielder, instrumental in winning Serie B and lifting Empoli

In the context of sports betting, Bennacer is the type of midfielder who can influence the entire flow of a match from controlling the tempo to dictating ball possession. Matches featuring him at Empoli were often analyzed in detail by bettors, as he was the main factor behind the team’s solid structure. This is particularly useful when predicting markets such as correct score, total number of corners, or which team will dominate possession. His presence on the pitch was a key variable when assessing Empoli’s tactical setup and betting probabilities.

Top 6: Elseid Hysaj

Elseid Hysaj is a full-back who graduated from Empoli’s youth academy and quickly made a name for himself in the first team between 2012 and 2015. He possessed impressive speed, strong attacking support, and maintained consistent performances on both flanks. After a standout period at Empoli, Hysaj moved to Napoli and became a regular starter in Serie A, as well as a familiar face in the Albanian national team.

Elseid Hysaj - Speedy full-back, capable of supporting attacks effectively and holding the touchline
Elseid Hysaj – Speedy full-back, capable of supporting attacks effectively and holding the touchline

From a betting perspective, Hysaj was a notable name in defensive-related markets, especially in bets involving clean sheets or total successful tackles. During his time at Empoli, the team often showed defensive solidity down the wings, which in turn influenced betting lines for total goals or handicap odds. Matches featuring Hysaj typically leaned toward tight, low-scoring outcomes, making him an important consideration for under goal markets or team-to-concede props.

Top 5: Davide Moro

Davide Moro was not an attacking player, yet he remained an indispensable figure in Empoli’s history. Playing for the club from 2003 to 2015, he made over 300 appearances and was consistently deployed as a midfield ball-winner. Moro stood out for his ball-recovery skills, tireless work rate, and fighting spirit. Thanks to his consistency, Empoli was able to maintain a cohesive playing style that translated into solid results across multiple seasons in both Serie A and Serie B.

Davide Moro - A durable defensive midfielder who plays a pivotal role in the team's play and defence
Davide Moro – A durable defensive midfielder who plays a pivotal role in the team’s play and defence

For bettors, Moro’s presence offered a reliable indicator of how Empoli would approach specific matchups. In games where Empoli were seen as underdogs, Moro’s inclusion often signaled a more conservative, defensively disciplined approach, reducing the likelihood of conceding goals a valuable insight for under goal markets or handicap betting. Furthermore, his disciplined style and low card count reduced the risk in card-related betting markets.

Top 4: Francesco Caputo

Francesco Caputo, affectionately known as “Ciccio”, was the hero who helped Empoli secure promotion to Serie A in the 2017–18 season by scoring an incredible 27 goals in Serie B. He was a modern striker energetic, intelligent in his movement, and sharp inside the penalty area. After helping Empoli gain promotion, Caputo continued his impressive form in Serie A and earned a call-up to the Italian national team a significant milestone rooted in his development at the club.

Francesco Caputo - Sharp striker, contributed greatly to helping Empoli promoted to Serie A in the 2017–18 season
Francesco Caputo – Sharp striker, contributed greatly to helping Empoli promoted to Serie A in the 2017–18 season

During Caputo’s time at Empoli, the betting community paid close attention to markets such as anytime goalscorer or team total goals due to his high conversion rate. Matches featuring Caputo frequently led to over goal outcomes, especially when facing weaker defenses. Experienced bettors could also leverage his scoring form to optimize matchday betting strategies across various bet types, including first goalscorer and both teams to score (BTTS).

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Top 3: Antonio Di Natale

Antonio Di Natale was one of the standout players to emerge from Empoli’s youth system. He played for the club from 1996 to 2004, scoring over 50 goals and making a strong impression with his technical skill, pace, and tactical awareness. Empoli was the place where Di Natale refined his finishing ability, transforming from a promising forward into a top-tier striker, who would later flourish at Udinese for the rest of his career.

Antonio Di Natale - A rising star developed from the Empoli academy, contributing to making a name for himself in Serie A
Antonio Di Natale – A rising star developed from the Empoli academy, contributing to making a name for himself in Serie A

In the realm of sports betting, Di Natale was often the reason why Empoli received higher-than-expected odds in important matchups, particularly against similarly ranked opponents. When analyzing matches involving him, bettors often anticipated moments of brilliance that could tip the game’s balance influencing bets on total goals, first team to score, or draw with goals. His presence on the pitch added volatility and excitement to any betting scenario.

Top 2: Francesco Tavano

Francesco Tavano was one of the most loyal and effective strikers in Empoli’s history. He played for the club in two separate spells (2001–2006 and 2011–2015), scoring over 100 goals in total and often acting as the team’s catalyst. Tavano was known for his versatile finishing, accurate free kicks, and excellent anticipation. He played a pivotal role in helping Empoli avoid relegation several times and delivered in crucial matches where the team needed to win to survive.

Francesco Tavano - Talented striker with versatile finishing ability and scored over 100 goals for Empoli
Francesco Tavano – Talented striker with versatile finishing ability and scored over 100 goals for Empoli

During the seasons in which Tavano featured, Empoli regularly attracted interest from bettors because he was the “key piece” in markets like first goalscorer, anytime goalscorer, and full-time results. He was the type of striker that opposing defenses had to constantly be wary of, making him a logical focal point for bets centered on Empoli scoring or for over/under goal lines based on his ability to find the net consistently.

Top 1: Massimo Maccarone

Massimo Maccarone is considered the greatest icon in Empoli’s history. He had two spells with the club (2002–2005 and 2009–2017), scoring over 100 goals across all competitions a goalscoring record no other Empoli player has matched. Maccarone was not just a prolific scorer; he was also a team leader, a source of inspiration both on the field and in the dressing room. Under his influence, Empoli enjoyed several successful campaigns in Serie A, including memorable survival battles that he personally helped win with decisive goals.

Massimo Maccarone - Empoli's top scorer and spiritual leader over many seasons
Massimo Maccarone – Empoli’s top scorer and spiritual leader over many seasons

From a sports betting standpoint, having Maccarone in the lineup often meant that Empoli had the potential to spring a surprise, especially in individual goalscoring markets or total goals odds. During his peak form, his goalscoring odds were always attractive and worth the investment. His wealth of experience and consistent performances made him a “safe bet” for punters season after season, offering reliable returns in a variety of betting markets.

Conclusion

Empoli FC may not have won any major trophies, but they have been the birthplace of many talented Italian and European football players. The Empoli best players such as Maccarone, Tavano, Di Natale, or Caputo have not only contributed goals, but also helped shape the club’s typical playing style in each historical period. For bettors, understanding information about legendary players and their influence on playing style helps make more accurate predictions – from betting on goals, betting on cards, to corner kicks or winning odds by half. Empoli is not just a team, but also a platform for tactical analysis and smart betting.

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