Please god tell me you're not one of those who want Santacroce to start for the Azzurri. Chiellini Imo plays best when he's got that organizer in Canna or Legro beside him.
Please, dear god, tell me that you don't think that Canna, at age 35 (Almost 37 by WC), or Legro should be starting for La Nazionale.
It's all well and fine to say that Chiellini plays better with a player who will help organize the D. In theory, I agree with this statement. However, neither of the above mentioned players players should be playing critical (or any?) minutes in the next WC, so in my opinion, we should be testing alternative combinations when other CB's are healthy... to see how the players adapt to slightly different roles.
Many people talk about basic characteristics, and then make these definitive statements about whether something will or will not work. These theories are fine to express, but in the end, they're just theories. The proof will always be on the pitch. Santacroce should obviously be on La Nazionale, as he is/will be one of the best Italian defenders going to the WC... right? So once he's called up, why not try different pairings together in practices, friendlies and gimme games (if position in qualifying pools has already been secured) and see what really works? Chiellini used to play LB. Zambro has played both sides of the pitch. Intelligent, talented players can and need to adapt at times, for the sake of the team.
I never said that Santacroce should pair Chiellini. What I do know is that Chiellini is Italy's best defender, and there is a relatively HUGE whole beside him (come to think of it, on either side of him, and the right flank as well), when contemplating future lineups. Obviously, this team will probably need to at least test Chiellini and Santacroce as a pair, considering that the CB pool for Italy is quite shallow at the moment.
Italy's defense is an absolute mess right now; in my opinion, major shakeups are needed. In today's match, I saw a starting four in which preferably NONE of the defenders would be first choice for the next major tournament -that means adjustments need to begin now. I think it would definitely be worthwhile to have some of the better caliber players try to adjust to slightly different roles in defense - at the worst, it will come in handy during times where the back line is struggling with injuries.
In general, I think that Lippi will realize soon (he definitely needs to) that it is no longer 2006. The boys are getting old, and it shows...
Buy on AliExpress.com
