5 youngsters who could represent Italy in the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Ever since Italy won the FIFA World Cup back in 2006, there have been demands from Azzurri fans about a possible replication of the historic achievement. However, the Italian national side came up with more than just disappointing showings in the World Cups that followed. They failed to go past the group stages in the 2010 and the 2014 World Cups and as the extravaganza of 2018 beckons, the fans would expect something more.

And the onus will fall not just on the experienced campaigners, but on the youngsters as well who will look to make a name for themselves on the grandest stage of them all. It will be a tough ask, but those who accomplish it are likely to go down as heroes for their nation.

And we run the rule over youngsters who may well go to Russia with the Azzurri if they play well this season.

#5 Andrea Petagna - Atalanta

Age: 22

Position: Striker

In a world where there seems to be an apparent lack of proper number nines, Italy may have a gem in Atalanta star Andrea Petagna, who is a real handful for opposition defences.

The 22-year-old made his debut for the national side in a friendly against the Netherlands, and was also an important part of Di Biagio’s U21 side that reached the semi-finals of the U21 Euros in Poland. He played every single game, scoring once, and also found the back of the net five times for the La Dea last season. His partnership up front with Alejandro Gomez was a threatening one throughout the campaign.

With Italy not having proper number nines apart from Southampton star Manolo Gabbiadini, they could rely on Petagna in the World Cup, if the striker does well this season.

#4 Patrick Cutrone - AC Milan

Age: 19

Position: Striker

Cutrone is fast becoming one to watch out for

AC Milan are no strangers to producing talented youngsters and almost all of them are Italian. It was Manuel Locatelli who came up last season and it looks like we have another breakout star on our hands. He happens to be Patrick Cutrone.

The 19-year-old made his first start for the Rossoneri in the opening day fixture against Crotone and played instead of expensive summer signing Andre Silva again, when Vincenzo Montella's side locked horns with Cagliari last week. Cutrone scored in both of the games to cap off impressive performances. His showings earned him a call-up to the U21 Italy side recently and he looks to be the real deal already.

A good season this time around and one can very well see young Patrick Cutrone playing for the senior national team very soon.

#3 Mattia Caldara - Atalanta (On loan from Juventus)

Age: 23

Position: Centre-back

Caldara will have huge boots to fill in the future

Last season saw a host of Atalanta players make an impact in the Serie A, as the La Dea finished as high as fifth under Gianpiero Gasperini, above Vincenzo Montella’s AC Milan. Along with the likes of Franck Kessie and Alejandro Gomez, a number of players came to the fore and impressed. One of them was Mattia Caldara. So much so that his performances earned him a move to Juventus last January.

Caldara, who is set to stay at Atalanta on loan till the end of this season, was an important part of Luigi di Biagio’s U21 Italy side that played in the U21 Euros this past summer. A beast in the air and someone who has a towering presence in both the boxes, Caldara is a cultured defender as well.

With the big three of Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Georgio Chiellini now aging, Caldara could be the one to carry the march forward with Juve’s very own Daniele Rugani.

#2 Roberto Gagliardini - Inter (On loan from Atalanta)

Age: 23

Position: Central-midfielder

Gagliardini thrives in a box to box role

Much like Caldara, Roberto Gagliardini is one of those players who was a part of Atalanta’s surprising success last season. While he didn’t stay at the club till the end of the season thanks to a loan stint at Inter, he impressed enough to earn a national team debut under Gian Piero Ventura when he came on for an injured Daniele de Rossi.

A central midfielder by trade, Gagliardini thrives on playing a box to box role on the pitch and featured for the Azzurri side in the U20 World Cup in Korea, despite being 23 years old. This season, the Atalanta man has been used in the central midfield of a 4-2-3-1 formation by Luciano Spalletti, with Mattias Vecino’s presence allowing him the room to maraud forward.

With two of Italy’s veteran midfielders in De Rossi and Claudio Marchisio now aging, Gagliardini could be the man to lead the side forward along with Marco Verratti.

#1 Gianluigi Donnarumma - AC Milan

Age: 18

Position: Goalkeeper

His presence ensures that a Gianluigi will continue to guard the goalposts for Italy

While Gianluigi Buffon is likely to play for Italy in the World Cup in Russia next year, if there is anyone who can come close to giving stiff competition to the outgoing veteran, it has to be AC Milan superstar Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Just 18 currently, Donnarumma has already made four senior appearances for the Azzurri and looks like one for the future. He has been one of Milan's most important players ever since he broke into the first team two seasons ago and despite speculation and controversy about his future, he has made up his mind to stay at the club. He has started all his team's games so far and is expected to continue in the same vein till the end of the campaign.

If things keep on going as they are, Donnarumma could well play a prominent role in Russia.