Where Will Italy Look For The Next World Cup?

Marcelo Lippi’s current Italian squad has been criticised by several soccer pundits as being too old.  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
The former Lazio full back cuts an imposing figure for a full back at just over six feet tall.  Since his move to Fiorentina in 2009, De Silvestri has rediscovered his best form that saw him represent Italy at every age range from Under 16 through to the U21 side. With such a solid basis in the skills necessary to become a good fullback, De Silvestri might end up replacing Gianluca Zambrotta for the national team.

Davide Santon        Defender    (Inter)        Aged 19
Able to play down either flank, Santon is a hugely talented young defender who made 28 appearances for Inter this season as well as five appearances already for the Azzuri. Compared by Italian head coach Marcelo Lippi to Paolo Maldini, Santon has fantastic energy and can race up and down the flanks for the full 90 minutes. 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
  Mario Batelli, though prone to fights and poor sportsmanship, may be one of the best attackers or wingers wearing the Italy soccer kit 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. His time will surely come in the Euro 2012 qualifiers when Italy are going to need a new look 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 is a strong, intelligent striker, who has an eye for goal. Particularly good with his back to goal, he has already been capped at U21 level for Italy and if he can start to make a bigger impact in the United first team, full honours should soon follow.

Antonio Candreva    (Midfielder)    Udinese    Aged 23
Candreva just may be the only replacement for Italy’s great Andrea Pirlo. The Udinese midfielder follows in the footsteps of Pirlo’s creative play, owning any position on the midfield.