Mancini: Confidence in youth

By Football Italia staff

Roberto Mancini admits ‘our use of Italians has never been so low, so we have to try something different’ and focus on youth.

Mancini’s Italy squad for their Nations League openers against Poland and Portugal features several debutants, including Nicolo Zaniolo, Pietro Pellegri and Nicolo Barella, and the former Inter boss made it clear the Azzurri’s next generation were ready.

“Our use of Italians has never been so low, so we have to try something different. That’s why I’ve called up certain players,“ he said at a Press conference.

“Having said that, I believe there are some very good Italians around, certainly better than many of the foreigners who play in their places.

“Zaniolo and Pellegri are the first young lads we’ll watch closely because we believe they have great qualities.

“I think Zaniolo has some important qualities. He did very well at the Under-19 European Championship and at 19, a good player like him has to play.

“In the past, several of his peers were already playing for big clubs and that must be the case today. It happens abroad.

“We’re trying to send a strong message from Coverciano. We’re convinced that those who play well at youth level can do so even at a higher level.

“After that, we’ll just have to wait and hope to see our boys on the pitch constantly and at high levels.”

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