Roberto Mancini reflected on Italy’s failure to qualify for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar and he reiterated his desire to see more young Italian talents developing in Serie A.
Following the Azzurri’s loss to North Macedonia in the World Cup play-offs earlier this year, one of the most heated topics was surrounding the lack of Italian youth products being given a chance in Serie A. Observers, including Mancini himself, point to the number of talents in various Primavera squads who are never given a chance in the topflight.
Speaking to Il Giornale, Mancini first looked ahead to the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
“Eventually I’ll watch the matches in Qatar. It won’t be easy. The more I think about it, the more I understand that certain situations are marked. We had dominated the group, we were supposed to go straight to the World Cup, nothing but playoffs instead.
“It gives us a hand that we are European champions. We have to restart from that, stronger than before. Knowing that sport is like life, totally unexpected and incredible situations happen.”
He revealed his concerns about the fact that the World Cup will take place in November and December, interrupting leagues around Europe.
“It’ll be a strange tournament. Never seen the season suspended for two months. It won’t be easy. When I debuted, in 1981, they had a Mundialito in Italy and Serie A did not play for only twenty days.
“Here the teams will stop while continuing to work. Everything will be more difficult. I hope it will be as good as last year. Fought at the top and at the bottom and that more Italians play, my fixation.”
The Azzurri coach gave his thoughts on the number of Italian players now playing abroad, with Gianluca Scamacca being the latest high-profile example of this.
“I hope they have a chance to play. That would be good. That way you can grow. Italians used to always stay here, now they’re few compared to those from other countries.
“Scamacca? He had already had the experience, he was one of the first to emigrate, to Holland. In the Premier League he can give so much, but it won’t be easy. The important thing is that he plays and improves.
“Will Gnonto stay in Switzerland? He is 18, he’ll play there for sure, he won the league. By playing he’ll grow, then better if he finds a higher level club.
“Lucca from Pisa to Ajax? He has a great chance to improve technically. He will have no pressure but he will be in a team that must always win.
“Ajax is like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juve and others where a draw is a defeat. But the Ajax school applies, they churn out youngsters over there, then sell them and make money. Ours at 18 are still in Primavera. abroad they would all play.”
Mancini gave his thoughts on the departures of Matthijs de Ligt and Kalidou Koulibaly from Serie A, and which young players can look to shine in the league now.
“It’s a shame. The better they are, the better it is for us. They get built here, then left. That’s the way football is now. Koulibaly is not very young but one of the best. De Ligt came young and as a young man he leaves. Let’s hope some Italians grow.
“Let’s not forget that we lose Chiellini, a master of the last 20 years. Bonucci is of a certain age. But we will see some growth. For example Scalvini, very young, he’s 18, he’s strong.
“And he could become a great play maker. Gatti has never played in Serie A, he is already 24 years old but I see him well. Besides the defenders there is also the young Ranocchia, he will improve.
“Mancini from Vicenza to Milan? He is a young man with quality. Young players in Serie A make incredible improvements. Suddenly you see them grow. At 17-18 years of age there are many strikers who are good technically. He is a centre forward, his qualities are very good.”
Finally, Mancini discussed the arrival of a number of big names in Italy this summer, like Romelu Lukaku, Angel Di Maria and Cesc Fabregas.
“If they come on loan or on free transfers it’s fine. I don’t know the Fabregas situation, but Di Maria is still good and can hold up for a couple of seasons.
“The Italian league is not as physical as the English one. Quality counts, it is more technical. Obviously we are no longer the Serie A of the 80s and 90s.”