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Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958 is likely to bring about a much-needed rejuvenation of the national team squad. With the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini and Daniele de Rossi announcing their retirements, places have opened up for the next generation of players coming through.
The identity of Italy’s next head coach is, as of yet, unknown, but it is highly likely the new man will be in place prior to the friendly against England in March. That match will provide the opportunity to begin a new national-team cycle, with new faces set to join the fray.
Here are five players who will make their debuts soon for Italy.
#5 Emerson
Emerson was born in Santos, Brazil and turned out for his native national team at Under-17 level as part of the side who won the 2011 South American Under-17 Championship. But in March of this year, he obtained Italian citizenship with the intention of turning out for Italy.
The 23-year-old full-back was called up for Italy’s friendly against San Marino in May, only to be ruled out of contention after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Roma’s 3-2 win over Genoa on the final day of the Serie A season.
Emerson is soon expected to return to action. If he can regain his previous level, an Italy debut shouldn’t be far off.
#4 Antonio Barreca
Antonio Barreca was a regular in Italy’s last Under-21 cycle, culminating in a run to the semi-final of the European Under-21 Championship in Poland in the summer, and the full-back will have aspirations of soon making the jump to the senior national team.
The 22-year-old had a strong season for Torino last time out and was involved in the two-day training camp for young players organised by former national team coach Giampiero Ventura in February.
Alongside the aforementioned Emerson, is one of the prime candidates to lock up the left-back slot going forward.
#3 Nicolo Barella
Nicolo Barella has represented Italy at every youth level from the Under-15s up to the Under-21s - most notably as part of the side who finished as runners-up in the 2016 European Under-19 Championship - and his full national team debut is unlikely to be long in coming.
The Cagliari midfielder was called up for Italy’s World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Albania in October.
Although he didn’t get out onto the pitch, he is a player that former coach Giampiero Ventura thought very highly of and one who is likely to have a prosperous long-term future with the Azzurri.
#2 Manuel Locatelli
Like Barella, Manuel Locatelli was a part of Italy side who reached the final of the 2016 European Under-19 Championship in Germany, and he has also been a regular across the age groups for the youth national team.
A classy midfielder who made his Milan debut as an 18-year-old and was a semi-regular last season, Locatelli was part of the group of young players who were involved in two days of intensive training at the national-team headquarters in February.
He is part of a talented group of young midfielders who look ready to take Italy forward, and if he can win some more minutes at club level this season, he should soon receive his first senior national team cap.
#1 Roberto Inglese
Roberto Inglese never played for Italy at youth level and was forced to bid his time in the lower divisions before finally reaching Serie A with Chievo in 2015. But now, after solid numbers last season and a good start to the current campaign, the 26-year-old looks close to fulfilling his dream of turning out for Italy at full international level.
Napoli signed up the forward in September, allowing him to return on loan to Chievo for the season, and his first Italy call-up came for the World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Albania last month.
While he didn’t receive minutes on that occasion, Italy’s lack of top-tier attacking talent means that his chance to impress will be soon in coming.
