Cheeky Chip

How to build a path to glory for Italy. Once again.

By Mirko Corli, writing from Torino

As I told you all during the past few weeks, Italy’s main problem was the coach. Now, thanks to him we are out of the World Cup, but we are relieved thinking that he left the job: no more arrogance on the bench, we can now start thinking about football. So, how to rebuild a national team after what just happened?

The key move is to get in young talented players and leave out the players that already served the nation but now are only chained-balls to the development of the team.

Here’s a possible list with the birth year of the players between parenthesis:

Keepers: Buffon (78), Sirigu (87), Marchetti (83)

Defenders: Chiellini (84), Bonucci (87), Bocchetti (86), Ranocchia (88), Cassani (83), Maggio (82), Criscito (86), Santon (90)

Midfielders: De rossi (82), Marchisio (86), Montolivo (84), Palombo (81), Poli (88) Strikers: Rossi (87), Pazzini (84), Gilardino (82), Quagliarella (83), Balotelli (90), Cassano (82)

With these players, we will have the ability to play in a few different ways. I would pick a 4 men defence with Santon on the right, Chiellini and Bonucci as centre-backs, Criscito on the left. Consider that also Maggio (right side) and Cassani (right side too) can play on the sidelines.

If we choose a 4-4-2, Cassani and Criscito can play as full backs, and Santon and Maggio as side midfielders. Midfield: De Rossi and Montolivo always on the pitch (hoping that Montovo will get some peronality) with Marchisio if we play a 3 man midfield or with him replacing one of the latters in a 2 man midfield just in front of the defense. Poli will be a good choice to replace Montolivo but he needs to get some muscles and strenght in the pitch to do this. Palombo is a good option for defensive games.

Quality players: 3 men behind the central striker, Quagliarella, Cassano, Balotelli. Sometimes Rossi can play instead of Quagliarella. Then, Pazzini as the lone striker, with Gilardino as the first substitute.

These are the men I will pick for Euro 2012. And Iguess the road will be easier, more beautiful and glorious than the one that ended in South Africa.