Marcelo Lippi’s current Italian squad has been criticised by several soccer pundits as being too old. The Italian team is undoubtedly old, with 30-year old Vincenzo Iaquinta, 31 year-old Andrea Pirlo, 32 year olds Gianluigi Buffon, Gennaro Guttuso, and Antonio Di Natale, 33 year-olds Mauro Camoranesi and Gianluca Zambrotta, and 36-year old Fabio Cannavaro all likely to have to be replaced by Lippi or Azzuri’s next manager by the Brazilian World Cup in 2014.
Lorenzo De Silvestri Defender (Fiorentina) Aged 22
De Silvestri, a former full back for Lazio, is slightly over six feet tall. 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. Compared by Italian head coach Marcelo Lippi to Paolo Maldini, Santon has fantastic energy and can race up and down the flanks for the full 90 minutes. Thanks to his sound technical skills, and omitting the risk of injury, Santon should be joining the next few major finals Italian squads.
Mario Balotelli (Striker) (Inter) Aged 19
Mario Batelli, though prone to fights and poor sportsmanship, may be one of the best attackers or wingers wearing the Italy soccer jersey in upcoming games. 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. Batelli is sure to see the Euro 2012 qualifiers, when the Italian team will be looking for a new strike force.
Federico Macheda (Striker) (Man Utd) Aged 18
Despite Macheda’s failure to make first team at Old Trafford, soccer pundits agree that Man United’s striker could make a name for himself in the 2010-2011 season, and even gain the attention of Azzuri management. Macheda is a strong, intelligent striker, who has an eye for goal. His particular talent is scoring with his back to the goal, and he has been capped at U21 for Italy; if Macheda makes a difference in the first team for United, he should end up with a spot on the Italian national squad.
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. The Udinese midfielder follows in the footsteps of Pirlo’s creative play, owning any position on the midfield.
Tags: italy national soccer, italy soccer, soccer, World Cup