Pros and cons of Italy missing the 2018 FIFA World Cup 

#3 Pro and Con: Time to rethink

Italy's next shot-stopper

This is basically the point that bridges the pros and cons of Italy's predicament. Italy are not going to the World Cup next year – that is certain – and, hence, it is time to rethink their strategy. The thing is, unlike after 2010 – where they had an ageing team which needed a complete overhaul – this Italian team has some great players in their roster and it won’t be much of a difficulty to overcome this slump.

While the likes of Buffon, De Rossi and Giorgio Chiellini have announced their international retirement, the future can be built on the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marco Verratti and Andrea Belotti. The player pool in Italy guarantees that the void left by the players that are departing could be filled with a careful approach.

In short, the future won’t get lost in the ashes of the past if the proper strategy is implied, which is why...