Cesare Prandelli hopes Serie A clubs can invest more on home-grown talent and saw his contract offer as a sign for “schizophrenic” football.
“Of course we all hope to see more Italian players on the field. It doesn’t depend on us or the Federation, but on the choices of the clubs,” said the Italy Coach in a Press conference.
Cesare Prandelli hopes Serie A clubs can invest more on home-grown talent and saw his contract offer as a sign for “schizophrenic” football.
“Of course we all hope to see more Italian players on the field. It doesn’t depend on us or the Federation, but on the choices of the clubs,” said the Italy Coach in a Press conference.
“We’ve seen recently that with a little more courage we can develop young home-grown lads who can challenge for a place with the foreigners who are brought in.
“It is naturally important to invest more in our youth academies and developing new talent.”
Meanwhile, Prandelli called up another ‘Oriundo’ by bringing in Verona’s Brazilian winger Romulo.
“We had this idea watching the teams and listening to the statements of players. We got information on his status and in my view Romulo is able to cover several roles, has pace, technique and consistency.
“We quietly kept an eye on him and called him up because I feel he deserves to be among the 40 pre-World Cup players.”
Another surprise name on the list is Federico Bernardeschi, who has never played in Serie A and features for little Crotone.
“We were fortunate enough to have this three-day get-together in Rome and called many Serie B players. We became convinced he has excellent prospects. We did the same thing two years ago with Marco Verratti, who was playing for Pescara before Euro 2012.
“There are some interesting players in Serie B and we are keeping an eye on them too. Bernardeschi has some intriguing qualities and there are few with his characteristics in Serie A.”
Prandelli had been expected to walk away from the Italy job, but has been offered a two-year contract extension by the Federation regardless of the results in Brazil.
“I haven’t signed anything yet, nor even talked about details, but simply confirmed our mutual readiness to sit down around a table and plan for the future together.
“It is an extraordinary message to Italian football, which can be so schizophrenic and in which nothing is ever planned, as the Federation decided to offer a contract to staff before a very important tournament like the World Cup.”