Can Chiesa play up front for Italy? Spalletti: ‘Yes and no’ | OneFootball

Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti has explained that he thinks Liverpool and former Juventus winger Federico Chiesa can ‘do well’ as a second striker for the Azzurri, but has explained that he needs more minutes as a starter before returning to the national team set-up.

The CT sat down for his first press conference of October’s training camp, ahead of Nations League fixtures against Belgium and Israel on October 10 and 14.

Spalletti, for the second international break in a row, has taken a squad of just 23 players with him, though he was able to take as many as he pleased. Chiesa did not make the cut, but the likes of Daniel Maldini, Giacomo Raspadori and Lorenzo Pellegrini have instead.

The Azzurri head coach said that Chiesa has done well in a front two while at Juventus, but he also admitted that he has plenty of options to chose from in that department.

Spalletti responds to questions about Chiesa’s potential Italy role

Asked if his use of a type of 3-5-2 system limits opportunities for the likes of Chiesa and Mattia Zaccagni, Spalletti replied: “A little bit yes, a little bit no.

“Zaccagni scored yesterday as a second striker. Chiesa often played in that role for Allegri’s Juventus and I see him doing well in that role. He needs to get to grips with certain things, but I think he can do it.

“You have to see that they’re enjoying playing, that they’re not afraid of facing up to defenders and have them breathing down your neck.”

“When you play as a substitute, it’s different, you have to have a different perspective and you have to know what is about to happen. Being on the pitch means losing your defender, which takes a few different characteristics. The players mentioned know how to do that, and several ‘hypothetical’ call-up options have been left at home.

“I brought Maldini and Pisilli in the 23 because I want to see them on the pitch, making a difference for the national team.”