Host of Serie A clubs keeping tabs on Stiven Shpendi and Cristian Shpendi – with twins deemed the best strikers in Serie B.
Shpendi Brothers The Best Strikers In Serie B
Italy’s second division has been dominated by a set of twin brothers this season and statistics have highlighted Stiven Shpendi and Cristian Shpendi as two standout names in Serie B.
The summer transfer window saw Stiven Shpendi leave Cesena on a permanent basis, as the 22-year-old joined Empoli for €2.2 million and is the first time that the twins have been split on a permanent basis.
Stiven had previously enjoyed a loan spell with Empoli in 2023/24, before spending the following season with Carrarese, while Cristian continued to impress at their boyhood club Cesena.
These decisions appear to have paid dividends during the 2025/26 season so far, as both brothers have scored five league goals and fill the top two spots of the ‘Performance Index’ in Serie B.
The Performance Index is created through in-depth analysis of statistics including aspects like passes, shots, tackles and also considers how players’ actions contribute to their team’s results.
Interestingly, Stiven ranks top of the list and Cristian sits just behind in second, despite the latter registering more goal contributions in Serie B this season with seven.
An exact reasoning for their order in the ranking has not been confirmed, however, Stiven Shpendi has accumulated over 100 less minutes than his twin brother – making his goal per 90 tally superior.
Although the Shpendi brothers were born in Ancona, Italy, their international allegiance did not go to the Azzurri as the twins decided to represent Albania.
Cristian is slightly ahead in the Albanian pecking order, earning one cap for the senior side in September, while Stiven is yet to be called-up from the U-21 side.
This means that the two could still switch to the Azzurri, which could be a consideration after Italy were drawn against Northern Ireland in the World Cup playoffs.
However, this will be a secondary thought to the Shpendi brothers as they are reportedly focused on moving up into Serie A in 2026 and have caught the eye of multiple sides.
POV: You’re 22 and you’re the best striker in Serie B. In second place? Your twin brother 👥
Highest performing strikers in Serie B
🇦🇱 87 — Stiven Shpendi (Empoli, 22)
🇦🇱 83 — Cristian Shpendi (Cesena, 22)
🇮🇹 83 — Gabriele Moncini (Bari, 29)
🇦🇱 82 — Silvio Merkaj (Südtirol, 27)… pic.twitter.com/2gdjW3o309— DataMB (@DataMB_) November 20, 2025
Lazio Target Cristian Shpendi In 2026
The Laziali were unable to bring in any fresh faces during the summer transfer window after receiving a transfer embargo for breaching financial parameters in Serie A.
Maurizio Sarri’s side have struggled to compete with the other elite sides in Italy this season, sitting ninth in the table with just 15-points from 11 matches.
This poor form has put Sarri’s position as Lazio boss into question and the Italian giants are reportedly considering a range of candidates to replace the former Chelsea manager.
Xavi Hernandez has been linked with a move to Rome as he seeks his first job since parting ways with Barcelona in 2024, but there have been questions over whether the Spaniard would manage in Serie A over a return to LaLiga.
In order to avoid this fate, Sarri will need to be smart in the upcoming January transfer window, as Lazio may not have the funds to sign top players from Europe – meaning a dip into Serie B could be shrewd.
Out of the two Shpendi brothers, Cristian appears to be the most suited to Lazio’s style, as the 22-year-old has contributed with more assists and can bring the wide players at Lazio into play.
Furthermore, Cristian is also more experienced on the international stage, boasting a cap for the senior side and this could be a key factor in Sarri’s decision-making process.
The 22-year-old signed a new deal with Cesena in December 2024, which is set to expire in June 2028 – meaning Lazio would need to spend €5-10m on the Albanian striker.
Stiven Shpendi To End Cagliari Striker Problems
Cagliari have endured a difficult start to the 2025/26 Serie A season and are currently on a run of seven league matches without a win – causing Fabio Pisacane’s side to drop down to 14th in the table.
One key issue for the Italian side is a lack of ruthlessness up-front, as Cagliari have scored just nine goals in Serie A this season and have failed to find the back of the net in their last two league matches.
Andrea Belotti has been ruled out until at least March 2026 after suffering an ACL injury against Inter Milan on September 27th and the rest of Pisacane’s attacking roster have failed to meet expectations.
This lack of a goal-threat could force Cagliari into a search for a new talisman in January and Stiven Shpendi may be the ideal option after being ranked as the best striker in Serie B.
Agreeing a deal for the Empoli star could prove difficult as Stiven joined the club in July and is under contract until June 2027 – but the Albanian may force a move to Serie A if Cagliari show enough interest.
Would Any Serie A Side Sign Both Shpendi Brothers?
The Albanian pair have been linked with moves to Serie A in the past, as Napoli and Juventus were monitoring both of them during their academy days.
Moving to an elite Serie A side will be the goal for both Cristian, and Stiven, but playing for the same team could be a difficult task as they both play in the same position.
Playing with two strikers is something that has become less and less common in soccer, but there are still a few teams in Serie A that set-up with a duo in attack.
Inter Milan have found success with Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram leading the line, while Massimiliano Allegri has utilized Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic in a more modern approach to two up-front.
Carlos Cuesta has also deployed two-up front during his debut season as Parma manager and the young coach could consider a move for both Shpendi brothers to raise his profile in Italy’s management scene.
