The Azzurri Depth "Chart"....

[Jager]

I think with the help of Joel and Azzurri(Nick) and Sinoy and others...we can gauge a depth chart of future players and where they stand. Lets avoid players that are old, and probably be gone.

Please, lets try to avoid the club polatics and such.

This is not a ranking, but players that could and should be considered.


I'll sort of start it, add to it.....as we go forward, my biggest concern is not at CB, but RB/wingback. Zambrotta is not getting any younger. LB is alright, Grosso is still youngish. But both fullbacks are a problem as far as I'm concerned.

In midfield, there is potential, though I hear we lack a true RW. But I'm not too concerned either. Someone can play out of position, we have depth.

So lets get this going, this thread should last until qaulifying to the Olympics.

GK:
1.Buffon, Amelia




LB:Grosso



CB:Chiellini, Gamberini,


RB: Andreolli


DM: De Rossi

CM/RM/LM: Pirlo, Montolivo, Aquilani, Rosina, De Rossi

AM:Rosina, Cassano


FW: Borrielo, Gilardino, Pazzini, Balotelli, Cassano



So feel free to add to the list, players that are missed. Don't erase players, that is not the point. I just want to see what is available, and where we are going.


Thanks

...and as you can see, you can place players in different positions...

[D-Kin]

GK: Buffon, Amelia

LB:Grosso, Pasqual

CB:Chiellini, Gamberini, Barzagli, Criscito

RB: Andreolli, Zaccardo, Raggi

DM: De Rossi

CM/RM/LM: Pirlo, Montolivo, Aquilani, Rosina, De Rossi, Dessena, Cigarini

AM: Rosina, Cassano, Giovinco

FW: Borrielo, Gilardino, Pazzini, Balotelli, Cassano, Rossi, Quagliarella

[__-SNAKE-__]

I know maybe my comments may not be favoured but I think that Amauri should be considered to be selected. According to an article I read Italy could consider Fabiano Santacroce, Ridrigo Taddei, Roberto Aquafresca and Pablo Osvaldo along side Rossi and Balotelli. I personally agree with Taddei and Amauri, I think now they can be selected to play for Italy.

[Jager]

Originally Posted by __-SNAKE-__

I know maybe my comments may not be favoured but I think that Amauri should be considered to be selected. According to an article I read Italy could consider Fabiano Santacroce, Ridrigo Taddei, Roberto Aquafresca and Pablo Osvaldo along side Rossi and Balotelli. I personally agree with Taddei and Amauri, I think now they can be selected to play for Italy.

We have an Amauri thread, this thread is just a depth chart thread, as we have to know what's coming through the pipeline.

[Jager]

GK: Buffon, Amelia

LB:Grosso, Pasqual, De Ceglie

CB:Chiellini, Gamberini, Barzagli, Criscito, Santacroce,

RB: Andreolli, Zaccardo, Raggi, Motta

DM: De Rossi

CM/RM/LM: Pirlo, Montolivo, Aquilani, Rosina, De Rossi, Dessena, Cigarini, Esposito

AM: Rosina, Cassano, Giovinco, Russotto

FW: Borrielo, Gilardino, Pazzini, Balotelli, Cassano, Rossi, Quagliarella, Acquafresca, Paloschi

[Jager]

Calcio Debate: Azzurri Set For Golden Age?
Last night the Italy Under-21 side won the Toulon Tournament after beating Chile 1-0 in the final. Carlo Garganese believes that a new golden generation of Italian youngsters are coming through…
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Having watched every one of the Azzurrini’s games during the 2008 Toulon Tournament in France, I can safely say that the future looks very bright for the senior Italy national team.

Some question marks have been raised about Roberto Donadoni’s 23 men that will travel to Euro 2008. The squad is in fact the oldest of all 16 teams participating, with an average age of 29.57. Eight of the first XI are over the age of 30, including the entire back five, Gianluigi Buffon included. While at Euro 2008, this experience, as it was in Germany at 2006, could be invaluable, it is quite clear that much of this team will have to be broken up and rebuilt come South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014.

Fortunately, the youngsters coming through are possibly the best that Italy have had in years. Pierluigi Casiraghi’s Under-21s were hugely impressive in winning the Toulon Tournament, with most of the squad making a big impact.

Empoli’s Davide Bassi was commanding throughout the festival, and was named goalkeeper of the tournament. Marco Motta and Lorenzo De Silvestri both suggested that they have Azzurri futures ahead of them by impressing in the full back positions, while the likes of Andrea Coda, Lino Marzorati and Salvatore Bocchetti were mean in defence. All in all the Azzurrini conceded just one goal in five games and 450 minutes of football – pretty remarkable stuff.

The strength of depth that the Azzurini had at their disposal was apparent in midfield as Casiraghi rotated in almost every game, with Antonio Nocerino, Daniele Galloppa, Luca Cigarini, Daniele Dessena, Claudio Marchisio, Ignazio Abate, Tiberio Guarente, and Antonio Candreva all impressing at various times. Nocerino, as the captain, showed real leadership qualities throughout, displaying the kind of form that won so many admirers in the first half of the season for Juventus. Parma duo Cigarini and Dessena will surely not stay in Serie B next season, and the latter provided a brilliant pass for Pablo Osvaldo’s winner in the final. Marchisio scored a contender for goal of the tournament with a stunning left foot half volley from 30 yards against Turkey.

Candreva displayed all the confidence in the world by executing a Francesco Totti/ Antonin Panenka-like spoon penalty in the shootout against Japan. Guarente meanwhile hit the post in the final after lobbing the Chilean goalkeeper from the half way line. Finally of course there is winger Abate, co-owned by Milan, and a quite explosive talent, with blistering pace and quick movements. Against Japan, the 21-year-old went on a solo run, beating three men and running the whole length of the field, before firing wide.

And so on to the forward positions. First of all lets remove Graziano Pelle from the equation, who is perhaps the worst player I have ever seen represent Italy at any level of football. Indeed this Under-21 side reminded me of the Brazil 1982 World Cup team, who had a host of legends such as Zico, Falcao and Socrates, but were unfortunately left down by a lumbering frontman called Serginho, who was completely out of his depth.

Pablo Osvaldo had a generally quiet tournament until he exploded into life in the final, scoring the winner in a man-of-the-match performance. The 22-year-old’s bicycle kick on the final day of the season that booked Fiorentina’s place in the Champions League is a sign of his potential. Davide Lanzafame certainly showed that with the right training and guidance he can become a really exciting player in the years to come. The comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo may be a little far fetched, but he certainly shares some of the explosive and exaggerated movements of the Manchester United man.

Finally of course there is Sebastian Giovinco, named player of the tournament after two goals, two assists and a host of brilliant displays. So naturally gifted, Giovinco has the potential to be one of the best players in the world in the years to come, and he is the ‘great hope’ for both club-and country.

Just how bright Italy’s future really is, can be demonstrated fully by the fact that this Azzurrini side that triumphed at Toulon was actually missing more than half of its first team players.

Villarreal’s Giuseppe Rossi and Cagliari’s Robert Acquafresca are the first choice strike force, and will be so at this summer’s Olympics Games. The usual centre back partnership is Domenico Criscito regarded by some as the eventual heir to Fabio Cannavaro, and Napoli’s Fabiano Santacroce, described by many as the next defensive phenomenon and the “new Alessandro Nesta”. Paolo De Ceglie, co-owned by Juventus, often plays at left back, and once again is another explosive prospect who can roar up-and-down the flank.

Then of course in midfield you have Riccardo Montolivo, who will be at the Olympics, having just missed out on a place at Euro 2008. One must also not forget the incredibly gifted Andrea Russotto of Treviso, who even managed to outshine Giovinco in a number of Under-21 games towards the end of 2007. Russotto has been described by some as the “new Roberto Baggio”.

Those who graduated from the Under-21s last season are also showing great promise. Michele Canini of Cagliari had a superb end to Serie A season, while Alessandro Rosina just needs to join a big club before his sky-high potential can be fulfilled. Giorgio Chiellini and Alberto Aquilani have both made it to Euro 2008, and they will surely become Italy regulars in the years to come.

The teenage brigade in Italy are said to be even more talented than those just older than them. Fernando Forestieri, and the “new Pippo Inzaghi” Alberto Paloschi, both 18, are two such examples. Then of course there is the 17-year-old wonderkid Mario Balotelli, who I am absolutely certain is a future superstar, providing he keeps his head screwed on.

While Italian club teams may be struggling in Europe for financial reasons, the same certainly cannot be said about their youth development. The high percentage of homegrown players in Serie A is clearly paying dividends, and the Italy national team could soon be entering into a new golden age.

What are your views on this topic? Are the Azzurri set for a new golden age? Which players are you tipping for greatness? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…

Carlo Garganese

Goal.com - Editorial - Calcio Debate: Azzurri Set For Golden Age?

[azzurri]

All of Italy's fullbacks are in the their 30's and on the decline (other than Grosso). Maggio and De Silvestri for rb, and at lb, hopefully Pasqual can refind his old form at another club (assuming the Viola sign Vargas).

After this season, Juve should have a better idea where their youngster's stand. De Ceglie will have a great chance at Juve considering Molinaro is shit, and with Almiron and Tiago sure to be sold, Marchisio will rotate with w/e cm we sign. Nedved will be 36 at the start of the season so Giovinco will get plenty of playing time. Palladino will get more playing time at Genoa so hopefully he develops as well.

Anyways, we all know players develop late in Italy, so even if our youngster fail to shine right away, another Grosso or Toni might come along.

[Jager]

Nocerino's natural position?

Nick, please add any players you feel are missing.

And, btw, I agree with your hypothesis, however I've been following calcio for a very long time, I have never seen this much potential, we just seem to lack a superstar, plenty of stars though.

[azzurri]

From the list, the only players missing are Maggio and De Silvestri, at rb.

Based on last season, and of the players mentioned so far at rb, Maggio is my favourite.

[Jager]

That is what I hear. I hear this Napoli CB, Santocroce is going to be huge, and a "Cannavaro" in the making.

[Sven]

though truthly I despise Serie A and Italy (even though I use to live there , and Loved it, loved Inter at tender age of 9) some ppl tell me because they got rid of football Italia... and others agree it's just not as exciing as the other two, all I can say is I've lost my interest for Serie A, don't know why.

But I can't deny there are some quallity players, I'm big fan of youth players, so hopefully can give me input.

big fan of Cigarini, glad you guys mentioned him, classic play maker who can play deep, reminds me of Frings, glad got mentioned to Chelsea, from watching last french tourniment, some players caught my eye.

Sebastian Giovinco was the pick of the players, fast , great ball control, but you guys all ready have him.

Matteo Darmian the Milan defender, quallity tourniment, very solid.

Alberto Paloschi milan striker, who also mentioned.

Okaka who you guys must know about

Fernando Forestieri of Siena , classsy winger or forward.

some others I like of the 91 generation Davide Petrucci,Jacopo Sala and Vincenzo Camilleri,Federico Macheda

[Jager]

though truthly I despise Serie A and Italy

I can honestly say, that the season as a whole was quite exciting in terms of games, and definitely did not take a back seat to no other league. The problem with you Sven is that you follow the Premiership that is flush with cash, as it give the illusion of being better. However if the money runs out, and you have to rely on English talent to carry your league, you will be in serious trouble.

If this is the dark days of Serie A, I can only imagine how better it gets.

Just keep on praying that the UEFA doesn't adapt a foreign player limit. And yes I know that my own club will be hurt, but be hurt for the better.

[Sven]

Well it woun't happen, because it will break many working laws.

I see the point you make, EPL is deffo worst effected by money, but as I don't care about England it doesn't borther me, I just wanna watch good football.

Reason I don't care about England national team, is because of the FA , they have made me, it's there own fault grass roots football is terrible, it was them who have cut down youth games , it's like they don't want to succed.

maybe if Sky brought TV rights... then might watch.

[Jager]

Anyways, this is not the place to discuss the merits of the leagues. Plenty of threads for that. This thread is for judging our depth, and what we'll accomplish in the next two tournaments.