Will we see these players again with Italy? We take a BIG look

Credit: Photo by Icon sport

Luciano Spalletti has opted for a reduced list to ensure – as he explained – that no one is frustrated during training sessions. So, 23 players are currently taking part in the Italian team’s training camp, and what about the others? Here’s an overview.

And yet they were at Euro 2024.

9 of the 26 players called up for the Euro have not been recalled, for various reasons. Scamacca (Atalanta), Barella (Inter) and Chiesa (Liverpool) are injured, recovering or out of form. Cristante (Roma) has breached the code of ethics following a clash with his club coach. For his team-mate Mancini (Roma), it’s a “technical” choice, as the Nazionale is objectively full of good central players.

Spalletti explained about Jorginho (Arsenal), the door isn’t closed, but age is a factor (soon 33). Darmian (Inter) has always been on Spalletti’s lists, but we won’t be seeing him again, despite his versatility. The same goes for El Shaarawy (Roma). Lastly, Folorunsho (Napoli) was the surprise of the list, but failed to capitalize on the hype as Conte felt he was not involved enough in the summer preparations. He is currently out of the pro squad.

They are injured and will be back, hopefully.

As we said earlier, Barella, Chiesa and Scamacca are unavailable, and we must add Scalvini and Zaniolo. These are five names that would give the Nazionale a different face.

They have already been called up by Spalletti and could return.

Locatelli (Juventus) is a case in point: he started the season as a regular but will face stiff competition. Up front, Italy is objectively short of talent. Orsolini and Politano are possible solutions, but Spalletti’s chosen system of play (352 or 3421) doesn’t give them an advantage at all. There are still some interesting contenders for the defensive trio, namely Romagnoli (Lazio) and Biraghi (Fiorentina), who has moved to centre-left while Casale (Bologna) will continue to compete in the C1. In piston, Spinazzola (Napoli) on the left and Lazzari (Lazio) on the right start behind in the hierarchy, but are currently first-team regulars with their clubs.

In midfield, Pessina (Monza) has a difficult task ahead of him, and his former team-mate Colpani (Fiorentina), who disappointed on his first outings, is not necessarily any better. In goal, Carnesecchi (Atalanta) and Provedel (Lazio) are very credible alternatives in a position where the average level is very high. Finally, Berardi (Sassuolo), injured and relegated to Serie B with his long-time club, is in a state of complete limbo.

They’ve already been called up by Spalletti, but “ciao”!

Curtain for Acerbi (Inter), Bonaventura (Al-Shabab) and Besiktas (Immobile), 105 years old and 105 caps between them.

They’re with the U21s and knocking on the door

Gnonto (Leeds) is back with the U21s after the big hyper two years ago. Full-back Kayode (Fiorentina), piston Ruggeri (Atalanta) and midfielders Fabbian (Bologna) and Bove (Fiorentina) are the names that stand out for the Azzurrini. We can also add Savona (Juventus), who has started the season as a right-back, as the road to the Nazionale is now very short.

They’ve already been called up…so why not?!

Zappacosta (Atalanta) hasn’t been with the Nazionale for five years, yet he’s a starter at right-back in a formation that’s running like clockwork. In the same position, Mazzocchi (Napoli) has Conte’s trust, just the opposite of Calabria (Milan), who is destined to slip to the bench. The other positions? The Cataldi/Mandragora duo (Fiorentina) and Grifo (Freiburg) are thrown into the mix, but with more conviction: 4 goals in 9 caps, 42 goals in the last 3 seasons with the club.

They’ve never been called up, but that may soon be the case.

One name immediately springs to mind: Di Gregorio (Juventus). He already had a very high save rate at Monza and started with three clean-sheets at Juve. Ranieri (Fiorentina) continues to make inroads in central defense, while Rovella (Lazio) gets some game time in midfield.

They were at Euro 2020 (or 2021), we don’t forget <3

That was only three years ago, after all. Bonucci and Chiellini have retired, Bernardeschi and Insigne are on loan in Canada, and Sirigu is on a trial with Palermo in Serie B. Florenzi has destroyed his knee again. Only four names remain: Castrovilli, who has to relaunch his career at Lazio; Toloi, who has suffered a series of minor physical problems at Atalanta, where he is captain; and Belotti, who is as hard-working as ever at Como. Last but not least, Verratti, currently in Qatar, who we all miss.