Italy’s squad is older than most, and Marcelo Lippi has not been spared criticism for the age of the team. The likes of Gianluigi Buffon (32), Fabio Cannavaro (36), Gennaro Gattuso (32), Gianluca Zambrotta (33), Andrea Pirlo (31), Mauro Camoranesi (33), Antonio Di Natale (32) and Vincenzo Iaquinta (30) are all certainly unlikely to be around when the next World Cup in Brazil takes place, so just who can Lippi, or the next manager of the Azzuri, call on to replace this ageing generation?
Lorenzo De Silvestri Defender (Fiorentina) Aged 22
De Silvestri, who stands at just over six feet tall, comes from Lazio, where he recently served as fullback. When he moved to Fiorentina in 2009, De Silvestri came into his own in the form that served him in representing Italy from U16 to U21. 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. Santon’s energy is boundless; his energy on the pitch has earned him a comparison to Paolo Maldini by Italian head coach Marcelo Lippi. Technically sound too, Santon, barring injury and a dramatic loss of form, should be a member of the next few Italian squads at major finals events.
Mario Balotelli (Striker) (Inter) Aged 19
Mario Batelli, though prone to fights and poor sportsmanship, may be one of the best attackers or wingers wearing the Italy soccer jersey in upcoming games. 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.
