Marcelo Lippi’s current Italian squad has been criticised by several soccer pundits as being too old. The team is very likely to be fairly new by the Brazilian World Cup, when athletes such as 32 year-old Gianluigi Buffon, 36 year-old Fabio Cannavaro, 32 year-old Gennaro Gattuso, and other players like Andrea Pirlo (31), Gianluca Zambrotta (33), Vincenzo Iaquinta (30), Mauro Camoranesi (33), and Antonio Di Natale (32) are sure to be gone from the team. Who will Lippi or his successor choose to replace the team?
Lorenzo De Silvestri Defender (Fiorentina) Aged 22
De Silvestri, who stands at just over six feet tall, comes from Lazio, where he recently served as fullback. Since his move to Fiorentina in 2009, De Silvestri has rediscovered his best form that saw him represent Italy at every age range from Under 16 through to the U21 side. A marauding, powerful full back, he gets forward well and looks to be a possible long term replacement for Gianluca Zambrotta in the national team.
Davide Santon Defender (Inter) Aged 19
Able to play down either flank, Santon is a hugely talented young defender who made 28 appearances for Inter this season as well as five appearances already for the Azzuri. Santon’s energy is boundless; his energy on the pitch has earned him a comparison to Paolo Maldini by Italian head coach Marcelo Lippi. Technically sound too, Santon, barring injury and a dramatic loss of form, should be a member of the next few Italian squads at major finals events.
Mario Balotelli (Striker) (Inter) Aged 19
Although Mario Balotelli can be quick to anger and temperamental, his skill as an attack and winger has given Italy hope for a strong squad when he starts wearing the Italy national soccer jersey. We may have to forgive Batelli for his disgruntled outbursts at fans and management: in 59 games, he scored twenty goals and notched 6 in 16 for the Italian U21 team. We can expect to see Batelli at the 2012 Euro qualifiers because Italy is going to need a brand new look strike force.
Federico Macheda (Striker) (Man Utd) Aged 18
Although he has yet to make the first team on a regular basis at Old Trafford, the signs are promising that Manchester United’s talented striker could have a big 2010-2011 season and perhaps even force his way into the thoughts of the Azzuri management team. Macheda’s strength as a striker coupled with his intelligence gives him a boost in scoring goals. Particularly good with his back to goal, he has already been capped at U21 level for Italy and if he can start to make a bigger impact in the United first team, full honours should soon follow.
Antonio Candreva (Midfielder) Udinese Aged 23
The most daunting challenge that the Italian team faces is finding Pirlo’s replacement, and they may have found their man in Candreva. Pundits speculate that the Udinese midfielder will make his loan to Juventus a more permanent situation, especially since his abilities to play the entire midfield and master the perfection of Pirlo’s holding, creative role have been urging a permanent position.
Tags: italy national soccer, italy soccer, soccer, World Cup