Zdenek Zeman has enthused at Marco Verratti’s development at PSG and urged that he go to the World Cup as Andrea Pirlo’s understudy.
The 21-year-old is highly rated and seen as a future replacement to the Juventus playmaker. For one of his former Coaches, whilst Verratti’s place at Brazil 2014 is not guaranteed, it would be in everyone’s interest for Cesare Prandelli to select him.
“The competition is very strong in midfield. But in my opinion, he should go to the World Cup,” Zeman has told Le Parisien this week.
Zdenek Zeman has enthused at Marco Verratti’s development at PSG and urged that he go to the World Cup as Andrea Pirlo’s understudy.
The 21-year-old is highly rated and seen as a future replacement to the Juventus playmaker. For one of his former Coaches, whilst Verratti’s place at Brazil 2014 is not guaranteed, it would be in everyone’s interest for Cesare Prandelli to select him.
“The competition is very strong in midfield. But in my opinion, he should go to the World Cup,” Zeman has told Le Parisien this week.
“For him, obviously, but also for the Italian team. Cesare Prandelli should take him as the alternative to Andrea Pirlo. That would be the best way to prepare the next generation.”
Zeman worked with Verratti at Pescara, during a breakout year in Serie B that saw the youngster moved to a deep-lying position in midfield, the Delfini promoted and then Verratti snapped up by Paris Saint-Germain.
“Before, I thought he was strong but not exceptional. I did not imagine him as an Italian international, and he was also young.
“When I have watched him at PSG, I believe that he has come a long way in a short time.
“Marco was one of the furthest behind during the physical tests at Pescara. But he did not give up and soon realised that I was asking for more from him. I then put him down the middle, and it worked very well.”