With the new look three-week international break in full swing, it’s only natural that calcio fans reflect on the state of the Italian National Team. Despite their victory at the pandemic-delayed EURO 2020, the Azzurri have struggled mightily over the past 10-15 years, reaching their nadir this past summer when they failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
Things are bleak in Coverciano; there’s no denying it, but there may be a silver lining to the Azzurri’s recent struggles.
While no single reason explains Italy’s decade of futility, those struggles have exposed major shortcomings in developing young talent. The steady pipeline that once produced players like Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini, Francesco Totti, and Gigi Buffon, among many others, has slowed to a trickle, producing few, if any, world-class players.
The FIGC can, should, and will implement measures to address the lack of top-shelf talent in the country, but the onus falls on the clubs, who occupy the developmental frontlines in Italian football. While there isn’t a single solution to the nation’s lack of U-23 talent, a simple lack of opportunity may be a contributing cause.
With so many talented young players toiling on the bench, or worse, being poached by foreign clubs, a lack of top-flight minutes may be contributing to the Azzurri’s overall struggles. After all, if you want to develop world-class talent, the kids have to play. And there may be no better example of this than our very own Emanuele Lulli, who has taken the proverbial bull by the horns this season.
After Gian Piero Gasperini scrapped the initial plans to loan the 19-year-old to Avellino, many weren’t sure what to expect: Was Lulli actually being considered for a role with the club, or was this merely a ceremonial gesture? Put even more simply, was this kid going to play more than token minutes at the end of every third match?
Well, one month and four starts later, we have our answer: Lulli is so much more than a novelty. Thrust into the starting lineup on opening day, Lulli started the first four matches of the season, delivering particularly sharp performances against Fiorentina and Lecce to start the season.
With his developmental arrow trending upward, Tuttosport reports that negotiations between the two sides are underway, with an eye toward extending his current deal beyond its June 2027 expiration date. While no terms were disclosed, we can safely assume that Lulli’s representatives will be seeking a substantial raise for their client.
If his first month in Roma colors is any indication, Lulli’s future in the capital and Coverciano is incredibly bright, making this negotiation a no-brainer.
