Drills Soccer

Italy’s squad is older than most, and Marcelo Lippi has not been spared criticism for the age of the team.  The likes of Gianluigi Buffon (32), Fabio Cannavaro (36), Gennaro Gattuso (32), Gianluca Zambrotta (33), Andrea Pirlo (31), Mauro Camoranesi (33), Antonio Di Natale (32) and Vincenzo Iaquinta (30) are all certainly unlikely to be around when the next World Cup in Brazil takes place, so just who can Lippi, or the next manager of the Azzuri, call on to replace this ageing generation?

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.  After a 2009 move to Fiorentina, De Silvestri has exemplified the form that set him apart whilst playing for Italy’s U16 and U21 teams. De Silvestri’s power as a fullback may end up earning him a position on the national team in place of Zambrotta.

Davide Santon        Defender    (Inter)        Aged 19
Santon, who played for Inter in 28 games and Azzuri in five, has set himself apart as an excellent defender with an ability to play either flank with ease. Santon’s energy is boundless; his energy on the pitch has earned him a comparison to Paolo Maldini by Italian head coach Marcelo Lippi. 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
Inter’s hot headed and often temperamental striker can play anywhere in attack or as a winger and has been heralded as one of the brightest hopes wearing the official italy soccer jersey for a generation.  Batelli’s run-ins with both fans and management only serve to distract from his excellent record: the player scored twenty goals in 59 games and notched 6 and 16 for the U21 Italian set. 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 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
Candreva just may be the only replacement for Italy’s great Andrea Pirlo. 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.