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As the Nation's League starts next weekend, and Italy are back at the International Stage after a World Cup snub this summer, Head Coach Roberto Mancini has announced his 31 man squad for their matches against Poland and Portugal.
The most interesting fact about the announced squad is the involvement of a very young group of players, whereas Italy have always been renowned for fielding an experienced side in the International matches.
Let's take a look at the Top 5 Young Italian players who could be the ones to watch for Italy in the coming years.
#5 Alessio Cragno
Regarded as one of the most underrated players in the Serie A, Alessio Cragno has been brilliant for Cagliari in the Italian League. Having big boots to fill in the Italian National Side, after the departure of cult hero Gianluigi Buffon, the Italian side have the number one shirt in the side up for grabs and Cragno seems ready for the challenge.
He is only 24 years old and if he gels in well and performs consistently, we might be seeing another long-term Italian goalkeeper in the making.
#4 Alessio Romagnoli
One of the best defenders in the Serie A, the 23-year-old Alessio Romagnoli has been on the top European clubs' radars for a couple of seasons now. Last season, Antonio Conte chased Romagnoli for Chelsea Football Club as a replacement for legend John Terry, and that speaks volumes about the capability of the young Italian Centre-back.
With Bonucci and Chiellini almost into the last phase of their international careers, Romagnoli could be one of the perfect replacements for either of them, having already impressed for AC Milan in the domestic competitions.
#3 Jorginho
Jorginho has been called the next Pirlo, and rightly so due to his mastery in the holding midfield position. The Brazilian born Italian International is one of the best passers of the ball in Europe right now. He was picked up this season by Chelsea from Napoli which was one of the attacking powerhouses of Europe last season.
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri's most important player, Jorginho is the perfect man to replace a player like Andrea Pirlo at the International stage, thanks to the striking similarities in their way of playing and passing the ball.
#2 Daniele Rugani
Another player in the transfer market spotlight for the whole of last season, Daniele Rugani, the 23-year-old Centre-back for Juventus has been one of the brick-walls for Juventus and Italy in their defence. He reportedly snubbed a contract from Chelsea last season to stay at Juventus.
He has been an apprentice to Leonardo Bonucci, who looks to hand over his defensive duties to Rugani, at both Juventus and Italy. There is no doubt about Rugani's capabilities as he has learned from Bonucci who is one of the most revered defenders in the world right now.
#1 Pietro Pellegri
Pietro Pellegri is the hottest talent of Italian origin right now. He plays for Ligue 1 side AS Monaco. He debuted for Italian club Genoa at the age of 15 and holds the record for the youngest player to play in the Seria A alongside Amedeo Amadie.
A regular with the Italy U17 & U19 sides, Pellegri has been called up for the Italy Senior team for the upcoming Nation's League in September. Pellegri has by far seemed to be a promising and talented lad, and he might just be enough to break the Italian striker hoodoo that has been persisting for a long time now.
He is definitely one for the future.
