Rebuilding The Azzurri for Euro 2024 and beyond

From the current crop I think we are fine to continue with Jorginho, Veratti, Locatelli, Barella, Bastoni, Di Lorenzo, Chiesa, Spinazzola, Donnarumma, Berardi, etc

I personally would start to move away from Immobile, Insigne, Bonucci, Chiellini, and Florenzi and start to bring in Tonali, Scamacca, Pinamonti, Zaniolo, etc Bonucci may have 1-2 years to help us through the transition.

 

Some players I think we need to integrate are Bellanova, Pinamonti, Calabria,Tonali,Zaccagni, Scamacca, Frattesi,Orsolini,Simone Bastoni,Verde, Carnesecchi/Plizzari, Luca Pellegrini

Sensi if at all possible

Central Defenders - keep an eye out for Lovato and Luperto. Try to understand can Romagnoli rerally give us anything (I still believe he can)

Maybe Caprari if he can catch lightning in a bottle for Italia

Pobega maybe one or two friendlies to see if he brings anything to the fold. Give Rovella a couple of chances.

Also, never understood why Grifo was jus wiped away from Mancini's memory

 

Don't forget that the next under 21 finals are in June 2023 so most of the players who play in that team will stay there until the finals and the ones deemed worthy enough will join the azzurri in september 2023.

 

Players to integrate looking ahead to 2024 Euros (and their age at Euro 2024):

GK:
Carnesecchi (23)

RB:
Calabria (27)
Bellanova (24)

LB:
Di Marco (26)
Pellegrini (25)
Calafiori (22)

CB:
Lovato (24)
Gabbia (24)
Okoli (23)
Scalvini (20)

CM:
Fagioli (23)
Frattesi (24)
Ricci (22)
Pobega (25)
Rovella (22)

LW/LM:
Sottil (25)

RW/RM:
Orsolini (27)
Vignato (23)
Cancellieri (22)

ST:
Pinamonti (25)
Lucca (23)
Colombo (22)
Esposito (22)

 

Possible squad for 2024:

GK:
Donnarumma (25)
Meret (27)
Carnesecchi (23)

RB:
Spinazzola (31)
Calabria (27)

LB:
Dimarco (26)
Calafiori (22)

CB:
Bonucci (36) (C)
Bastoni (24)
Mancini (27)
Rugani (29)

CM:
Jorginho (32)
Locatelli (26)
Barella (27)
Tonali (23)
Verratti (31)
Pellegrini (27)

LW:
Zaniolo (24)
Sottil (24)

RW:
Chiesa (26)
Berardi (29)

ST:
Scamacca (25)
Pinamonti (25)


Possible Lineup

----------------------Donnarumma------------------
Spinazzola----Bastoni---Bonucci----Dimarco
------------------------Jorginho-----------------------
----------Berella--------------------Locatelli--------
Chiesa--------------Scamacca-----------Zaniolo


As you can see, the midfield is almost the same as now, because i think that's not the problem, even if there are memorable exclusions like Pessina and Pobega.

 

If Zaniolo can reach his potential and Chiesa recovers 100% our attack would be incredible. As this season goes by, I fear Zaniolo may end up being a wasted talent; periodically his brilliance shines through, but he is beyond inconsistent. Given Chiesa and Zaniolo's biggest strength being their speed/tenacity I don't see them being terribly effective late in their careers. So I sure hope they can both click sooner than later​

 

Thanks for the laughs. All true. Agree with basically everything here. Cristatante is Mr. Vanilla.

I think Kean is similar to El Shaarawy and anticipate his career will look similar. I don't see Kean as ever living up to the early hype; he is good but not great.

After Balotelli being omitted last week it seemed like his NT career was likely over. After his face tats this week, he solidified his place in the dust bin.

 

Well, I'm for giving Immobile one last chance at the NT. Pair him with Zaccagni for this game; if he still looks terrible at the end of the first half, then, remove him permanently from the national squad.

Insigne: out

Belotti: I know people are down on him but he has gotten a bum rap. His use has been inconsistent; start one game and then ride the bench for the next 5-6 games, or come in as a sub with 10-15 minutes left. There's no way he establish any chemistry with the other players on the pitch that way. So, I would give him a starting spot for the next 4-5 games; if he still under performs, then, he's out as well.

I would like to see Raspadori, Scamacca, Pinamonti get a shot; someone mentioned Bonazzoli, and he should get a shot too. Same for Kean; some team needs to give him a chance so he can learn from his mistakes. If he doesn't get his form back, then, he should be out of consideration too.

Love Chiellini...but he should be on the bench and just used as a pseudo coach for the defense...or played sparingly.

As for formations, maybe try a 4-4-2, with Berardi paired with Scamacca, Raspadori, or Kean. Use the fourth midfielder with Pessina or give a shot to Pellegrini. Also, as someone else mentioned Verratti and Jorgingho are kinda similar; pick just one as the starter.

On central defense, maybe keep Bonucci for now but give a chance to Bastoni/Romagnoli/Mancini to gain experience, and chemistry, playing alongside each other.

 

Jorginho out. Slow, can’t dribble, arrogant, too cowardly to attempt a dangerous pass. Too skinny. Ugly. Basically everything about him is unbearable.

 

I am all for inclusion of the younger players, but I don’t subscribe to the popular opinion that everything in the NT needs to be thrown away. Minor tweaks and inclusions will make a world of difference moving forward. A revolution that depends on players, like Zaniolo, who seem to be living on reputation at this point will not work. As we saw at the EUROs, chemistry will take us a lot further than Twitter opinions on who is or who isn’t good.

OUT

(1) Immobile
(2) Insigne
(3) Emerson
(4) Florenzi
(5) Belotti
(6) Chiellini (retirement)

KEEP

(1) Bonucci
(2) Jorginho

I am not a fan of the 4-3-3, as I think it limits and marginalizes players, like Raspadori, Zaniolo, Pellegrini, etc. However, assuming Mancini insists with the 4-3-3 going forward and we have everyone healthy, I think the team below is the best starting 11 for that specific formation:

——————— - Donnarumma - ———————

Di Lorenzo — Bonucci — Bastoni — Spinazzola

— — Barella — — — Tonali — — — Verratti — —

Berardi — — — — Scamacca — — — — Chiesa

A formation change by Mancini would likely change the personnel. Today against Turkey, Mancini went to a 5 man backline, which became 3 in possession, to close out the match.

Again, assuming we have everyone back and healthy for a 5-3-2 or 3-5-2, depending on perspective:

——————— - Donnarumma - ———————

— — Mancini — — - Bonucci - — — Bastoni ——

Di Lorenzo — — — — — — — — — — Spinazzola
- — — — — Tonali - — - — - Verratti — — — — —

— — — — — — — Pellegrini — — — — — — — —

— — — — — Scamacca — Raspadori — — — — —

For a 3-2-3-1:

——————— - Donnarumma - ———————

— — Mancini — — - Bonucci - — — Bastoni ——

- — — — — Tonali - — - — - Verratti — — — — -

Pellegrini — — — Raspadori — — — Chiesa

— — — — — — — Scamacca — — — — — — —

For a traditional 3-5-2:

——————— - Donnarumma - ———————

— — Mancini — — - Bonucci - — — Bastoni ——

— — — — Barella — - Tonali - — Verratti — — — —
- Di Lorenzo — — — — — — — — — — — Chiesa -

— — — — — Scamacca — Raspadori — — — — —

Forza e coraggio!

 

Like a few people here I don't think we need a complete overall. Mancini usually calls up 25-26 players for international fixtures. These are the guys I would roll with until 2024....

GK:
1) Donnarumma: His form is very shaky right now, but we know he has talent. Leaving PSG might be the way to go.
2) Meret: He is a bit of a question mark as well with injuries and not always starting, but like Donnarumma has the talent.
3) Cragno or Gollini: Depending who's in better form. If Donnarumma or Meret are hurt or in poor form, take them both.

FB:
4) Spinna: Hopefully he can stay healthy in the future, he is heads and shoulders above anyone else at LB.
5) Di Lorenzo: I disagree with some people that want to drop him. I still think he's a good option on the right, especially if he can lineup opposite of Spinna.
6) Biraghi: He had a good game today and showed what I always believed, that he's better than Emerson and should play over him.
7) Calabria: No excuse to ignore him at this point.

CB:
8) Bonnucci: The veteran presence for one more big tournament.
9) Bastoni: Our brightest young CB.
10) Mancini: At this point he's our best third option.
11) Romagnoli: I believe he will rise up again if he goes to Lazio.

Mid:
12) Verratti: Essential.
13) Barella: We know this guy is world class. He probably needs some rest, but I have zero doubt he will play up to his high standards soon.
14) Tonali: I watch him every week, and he's growing by the game. I think he should replace Jorginho in the starting lineup.
15) Locatelli: Hard to look great when you play for Allegri, but he's still a lock on the team.
16) Pellegrini: I sometimes forget he is only 25. I don't think he's reached his ceiling.
17) Pessina: Also only 25, and while he hasn't started every game for Atlanta this year, he's not a bench player like someone here likes to mention. Atlanta are playing in Europe, so he doesn't start every game. Is still coming back from injury as well.
18) Fratessi: The one missing midfielder who needs to be implemented in the national side.

Wing:
19) Chiesa: Obviously he's our offensive star.
20) Berardi: I think some of you guys are crazy for wanting to drop him. He does need to make a jump this summer to a bigger club.
21) Zaniolo: Winger or midfielder, I'm not giving up on him yet. He has the talent that few possess.
22) Zaccagni: I want to see more of him in the future. Not totally sold yet, but I think he can prove me wrong.
23) Berna: Yes I'm still taking him. I think once he leaves Juve, we may see Berna rise up like Lazarus and fulfill his promise.

CF:
24) Scamacca: Didn't have the greatest game today, but I've seen good stuff at Sassuolo from him. His size is the key, and he holds up play well.
25) Raspadori: I've questioned his ability in the past, but I was probably wrong. He's really impressed lately for club and country.
26) Belotti: I'm with Thorus, Belotti would still be in my plans for this team.

There you go. My core 26 for now.

 

Raspadori scored two today against Turkey. He improved the offense against Northern Macedonia but didn't have the time to make it count. I wonder, if Mancini hadn't stubbornly kept Immobile, we might be celebrating tonight.

 

I agree with most of what you guys are proposing. However, at 48 years old, I've seen a lot of Azzurri turnover. Lots can happen between now and 2024. It will hurt a lot watching another WC without Gli Azzurri. Just seems wrong.

I have no doubt we can build a strong team, but we have to absolutely find strikers who have ICE in their veins and can finish. Raspadori seems to have that when he puts on the Azzurro. We need more of that. Players that don't shy away from the spotlight up top.

Someone mentioned Bonazzoli. That's a really good player. At 24, he's been wasted over the years by impatient managers, but I think he can really do some damage. Esposito seems like a headcase. Pinamonti is a try hard guy, but I don't think he'll ever be elite. Kean simply isn't skilled enough to be a prima punta that carries a team. Scamacca right now seems to have the talent...I just question his toughness and mental make-up. He's very fragile psychologically.

 

I would like to see Francesco Caputo getting a chance as a short-term option. His age is nothing for an Italian player, who have had late-bloomers such as Antonio Di Natale and Luca Toni before.

 

Zaniolos issues are twofold; Pellegrini taking his position and the injuries. So he is forced to take up a wing position, but he has always been a square peg in a round hole here. He is not subtle enough to play the wing consistently. Without these injuries, Id say he would be the one picking his position, with the club doing everything to accommodate him. He will always be at his best driving from the centre but there is more to his game here as well. Evidence by his debut against Real Madrid away, where he was arguably the best player on the park for 60 mins and how many youngsters can lay claim to that. He did everything simple, elegant touches and moved the ball on. It was a special debut and perhaps he needs to be reminded of that. Keeping it simple often leads to a better player. I think even now, after the injuries, he can make those driving runs but he has to get back to a balance of playing simple as well

Right now the frustration of playing out of position, lacking form, lacking quality service from midfield and getting rugby tackled on the regular is all building up and its resulting in him forcing his play. When that happens, it only leads to more bad play. He needs a rest and time to reset away from it. He is doing ok considering what he went through. As long as he keeps injury free, this tough year might be good for his mentality in the long run.

His future may lay away from Roma if they cannot accommodate him in the centre. A mistake if it comes to that imo.

That player who made his debut playing controlled is still there so I do not worry about loss of speed as he ages.

 

I definitely haven't lost hope on Zaniolo, i'm a closet Roma fan and it's frustrating seeing him play out of position.

 

if you're including Belotti still in your prospective team, you are part of the problem. please, it's time to move on from this out of shape and dried up player.

 

Part of Zaniolo's problem is that he gets hyped so damn much and he starts to believe the hype. Pre-ACLs he really was a future world superstar. But post ACLs, I'm not quite seeing the same burst. You all know the burst I'm talking about where he could steamroll down the middle of the field and defenders panic.

As I said before, ACLs often take 2 years to fully heal. So, maybe he can get back to where he was. But, that explosion was a HUGE part of his game. He is not a Totti or Baggio. He doesn't have their feet. He's much more of a physical weapon with good enough feet (both of them) to really do damage.

Next year will be pivotal for him, but he has to get his head sorted out. He needs to stay humble and put in the work and sacrifice needed to get to that elite level again.

 

I hope chiesa doesn't suffer the same fate

 

Hamsik was very comfortable with both feet. De Bruyne, another player that drives from midfield positions, is comfortable with both feet. Zaniolo has two left feet.

For as much hype as he’s gotten (from myself included), his limitations are beginning to surface. We can attribute his stunt in growth to his injuries, which is fair, but at the end of the day, he has to improve in a lot of areas. Huge margins for improvement are needed in order to be anywhere near the type of player that De Bruyne is or that Hamsik was at Napoli.