Marcelo Lippi’s current Italian squad has been criticised by several soccer pundits as being too old. The Italian team is undoubtedly old, with 30-year old Vincenzo Iaquinta, 31 year-old Andrea Pirlo, 32 year olds Gianluigi Buffon, Gennaro Guttuso, and Antonio Di Natale, 33 year-olds Mauro Camoranesi and Gianluca Zambrotta, and 36-year old Fabio Cannavaro all likely to have to be replaced by Lippi or Azzuri’s next manager by the Brazilian World Cup in 2014.
Lorenzo De Silvestri Defender (Fiorentina) Aged 22
The former Lazio full back cuts an imposing figure for a full back at just over six feet tall. 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. A marauding, powerful full back, he gets forward well and looks to be a possible long term replacement for Gianluca Zambrotta in the national team.
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. The tireless Santon can run the flanks for the entire ninety minutes and has even been compared to Paolo Maldini by 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
Although Mario Balotelli can be quick to anger and temperamental, his skill as an attack and winger has given Italy hope for a strong squad when he starts wearing the Italy national soccer jersey. 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. Batelli is sure to see the Euro 2012 qualifiers, when the Italian team will be looking for a new strike force.
Federico Macheda (Striker) (Man Utd) Aged 18
A fiercely underrated player that has yet to regularly make the first team at Old Trafford, Macheda is set to have a great next season and catch they eye of Azzuri management. Macheda’s strength as a striker coupled with his intelligence gives him a boost in scoring goals. 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
Finding a replacement for Andrea Pirlo may be the Italian sides greatest challenge in the next few years and one possible replacement could be Candreva. 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.
