Parma forward back in Prandelli’s plans

Date: 23rd March 2014 at 7:30am
Written by:

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has suggested that Parma forward Antonio Cassano may be recalled to the Azzurri squad for this summer’s World Cup.

Cassano has scored 11 times for Parma this season as the team has risen to sixth in Serie A and his form could see him return to the national team after almost two years away from the Azzurri.

“The doors have never been too closed or too open,” Prandelli told Il Tirreno.

“After the European Championships, we have tried to look ahead. Antonio was 30 and from that perspective it was thought that other players could develop.

“If these players have not grown as much as expected, and if one player is now better at 32 than he was at 30, then why not?

“And Francesco Totti? Let him be for now, the last time we spoke he was injured.”

Speculation has mounted that Inter wing-back Jonathan and Hellas Verona midfielder Romulo could make the squad as they hold Italian passports like Pablo Osvaldo, Gabriel Paletta and Thiago Motta, but the Italy coach says that it may be too late for them to force their way into the squad.

“We must be clear, we are pleased that there is interest in the Azzurri shirt, but you cannot spring up at the last moment. For Paletta it took eight months, on a day-to-day basis you cannot achieve everything.”

Follow George Gibson on Twitter: @George_Gibson9

 

Comments are closed.