Luciano Spalletti is expected to welcome three experienced Italy internationals back to his squad for October’s matches against Belgium and Israel, but as he prefers to work with a smaller squad, he is likely to make a few cuts to his team as well.
Here are the players who could be left at home next month.
Three players who could be cut from Spalletti’s Italy squad
Tuesday’s reports suggest that Nicolo Barella, Federico Chiesa and Manuel Locatelli are all in line to return to the group in October.
Barella and Chiesa were unavailable for medical and fitness reasons this time around, while Locatelli has played himself back into favour after a strong start with Juventus.
TMW suggest that Spalletti is inclined to make like-for-like replacements in his squad, which means that three players from the current group of 23 may be removed for the Belgium and Israel games.
The most likely switch could be Barella coming in to replace Atalanta’s summer signing Marco Brescianini, who earned his first two caps off the bench against France and Israel this week.
Chiesa’s return could mean Lazio’s Mattia Zaccagni missing out next time around.
Despite scoring the goal that sent Italy through to the knock-out rounds at EURO 2024, the Biancocelesti winger was brought on for just four minutes of regular time during the most recent internationals.
If Manuel Locatelli is rewarded with an Italy return, he is most likely to replace his Juventus teammate Nicolo Fagioli.
The strong performances from Samuele Ricci, Sandro Tonali and Davide Frattesi meant that Fagioli was not able to play at all during the wins against France and Israel.
Three Italy players expected to return to national team in October
Italy would be better served to bring Chiesa on as a super sub, not unlike the way Mancini utilized him in Euro 2020. Please don’t bring DiLorenzo.
I would not replace Fagioli who is super creative and telanted. I would get rid of Pelligrini and keep Fagioli and let Fagioli play #10 behind striker.
amozart58@gmail.com yeah agree with you. Pellegrini should make the cut. Obviously a liability in Azzurri, plus Azzurri won EURO 2020 without him either, it means he’s not needed at all.
what’s happening here?
I agree and I think he could fit the secunda punta role fine if he is allowed some freedom
that last comment was made by my best friend online Azzurrifan87 on the big soccer forums.
Azzurri 87 Fan at big soccer says “take only what you need and no more” I agree with my good pal