Aquilani set to receive Azzurri recall
Juventus midfielder is edging closer to a National team recall in the wake of his recent performances, claimed Italy coach Cesare Prandelli in an interview given to the Italian media. Alberto Aquilani has been in supreme form ever since
he made his loan switch from Anfield based outfit Liverpool FC. Aqua man moved to Liverpool last year in a deal that was worth a reported 20 million Euros. Injuries blighted his stay there as the playmaker found it difficult dealing with the rigours of highly
physical English League. Despite putting in some impressive performances for the team, new coach Roy Hodgson decided to offload the highly rated midfielder.
"Alberto is one of the strongest midfielders in Italy. In fact he was in the national team already, but left because of physical problems.
If he has consistency then he will surely be important”, Prandelli said.
Prandelli has also praised Juventus for their contribution to the Azzurri. Juventus traditionally focus on developing Italian players, indeed the World Cup winning batch of 2006 had no less than eight players on Bianconeri pay cheque.
"Juventus? They are a club with strategies focussing on Italian players. There are many Juventus players in the national team, but not because they wear the Bianconeri shirt, but because they are good."
Prandelli also had the time to shed some light on the case of Antonio Cassano. Cassano has been the best Azzurri player ever since Prandelli took over the reins of the National team. Il Talentino De Bari was criminally left out of the Azzurri team that featured
at the World Cup 2010. Marcelo Lippi never picked the player during his second stint in charge of the Azzurri for reasons outside of football. Italy had a disastrous World Cup campaign and many blame Lippi for the failure. Prandelli believes Cassano needs
to change his attitude a bit when playing for the National team.
"He has to acquire the winning mentality. Playing to win, not just for the performance. He has to become a little more Italian.”
However, Prandelli believes Cassano is now ready to make his switch to a bigger club. Sampdoria ace being linked with a Juventus move since last year and following Prandelli’s most recent comments, such speculation will only continue to rise.
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