Former Italy goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca believes that newly-capped striker Graziano Pelle can be the Azzurri’s next Christian Vieri.
The powerful frontman netted the winner his Italy debut against Malta, but Pagliuca also believes that Mario Balotelli cannot be kept out of the squad for too long.
“Pelle is a good player, he had a very slow ripening and the years in the Netherlands with Ronald Koeman helped him a lot.”, the former Inter stopper told Calciopremier.it.
“I think he is good for the national team, and in perspective he can be the physical player like Christian Vieri.”
The Southampton striker displaced Balotelli in Antonio Conte’s squad, with the Liverpool man being left at home for the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
“[Italy] should not neglect Mario Balotelli. Balo can be an important element,” Pagliuca concluded.
