It is one of the great mysteries of the recent selection process by Italy coach Cesare Prandelli as to why Simone Pepe remains a part of his plans ahead of next summer’s European Championships.
The majority of Azzurri followers remain puzzled by his decision to include the winger for the recent friendlies against Poland and Uruguay in attack in place of the likes of Serie A’s top marksman Antonio Di Natale, especially when you consider that Pepe himself is not an out and out striker.
However, he did come for the second half in both the win over Poland and the defeat to Uruguay which does indicate the that former Fiorentina boss is a fan of the Juventus attacker.
Despite the fact that while he will offer his team 100% effort in every game that he plays, is that really enough to merit a place in the national set-up?
He may give more for the cause than most of his teammates but the fact is that if the squad were to be picked on effort alone then many players would stake a claim that fans would unlikely to be too pleased to see in the side.
German Denis is on fire at the moment in front of goal and Novara’s Marco Rigoni has been outstanding for the new boys this season but there wouldn’t be many Azzurri fans who would be overjoyed at having them wearing the famous blue jersey because, despite the effort they have shown for their respective sides this season, they are just that level below the international game.
The fact is that Pepe isn’t good enough to be in the squad and, especially when the going gets tough for Italy, he is often found wanting and offers little in creativity going forward to help his team out of a hole.
Last summer at the World Cup he was extremely poor and when it came to the crunch tie against Slovakia, was very lucky to remain on the pitch as he struggled to help the team in attack and defence with other attackers such as Di Natale and Fabio Quagliarella showing that they are perhaps worthier of starting games with their well taken, but ultimately ill-fated, goals.
As well as his poor displays on the pitch, his comments on returning from South Africa alone should have been enough to merit the player never being allowed to represent the peninsula again.
Giorgio Forattini’s now infamous drawings of 11 blue coffins on a football field which appeared in Il Giornale to signal the death of the Italian game were not depicted in the best taste but the players should have known the nation was hurting and not bit back at the criticism.
However, Pepe’s ensuing comments that “I hope they soon get to build a coffin for him (Forattini) instead – not blue, but brown” was taking it a step too far and this lack of respect from an international footballer is not the kind of thing that should be said.
With Antonio Di Natale still vying for a place in the squad and Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi set to return from their respective lay-offs before next summer’s championships, it would be a pity if one of these talents was refused a place in the squad for Simone Pepe.
Follow Padraig Whelan on Twitter: @PWhelan88 and be sure to check out www.padraigwhelan.wordpress.com
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Padraig,
I have to totally disagree with you on Simone Pepe. I just don’t get it with all this Pepe bashing, the issue with Di Natale not being in the Azzurri squad has nothing to do with Pepe being choosen ahead of him, they perform totally different roles in the team. Di Natala is an out & out goalscorer, Pepe is a battler. The way I look at it Balotelli and Osvaldo are Di Natala’s competition and I can see Prandelli’s reasons for wanting to look at them but agree Di Natala MUST be considered for 2012. Although not a long term option due to his age in my view going to Euro 12 without him would be a big mistake.
Pepe strengths I agree are his 100% effort and workrate and in any team you need a mixture of players with different strengths, for every Pirlo you need a Giorgio Chiellini and I believe Pepe brings something to the team which although maybe not being as technically gifted as some is just as valuable if the Azzurri are going to triumph at Euro 2012.
Lets not forget that Pepe is currently an integral part of Juventus, the team currently at the top of Serie A and any player who can make themselves a mainstay in this Juventus side and keep out the brilliant but inconsistant Krasic must have something. Give me a player who can give you 7 out of 10 every game and can inspire others & I’d have him in every squad. The guts, heart and workrate of Pepe will be sorely needed by both his club and country if they are going to be successful this season and summer.
Superb display & goal last night at the Olympico too!
Ok – lets be serious about this and bash were its necessary. Pepe made the squad for three reasons…
1 – He is having a good spell of form for Juve
2 – Injuries to Rossi and Cassano
3 – Because of aforementioned injuries, Prandelli is looking at the possibility of playing a 433 formation – the only formation i believe Pepe would be of use to him for.
The author is dead right in saying that technically he is not good enough for international football though at club level, his current form speaks for itself. He is also one of those players that falls in and out of form. A bit like Iaquinta, terrible usually but then will have two months were everything he touches turns into goals and immediately the press love him.
I think Pepe will only make the squad if Rossi and the boy Cass fail to make the finals and Prandelli has to think about 433 as an option. And even then, it will only be if no other player manages to make a decent claim for a wide right position. Players like Cerci and Schelotto, if they have a good few months may get a look.
The fear for Azzurri fans is that tactically Pepe performs a function that no other Italian player can do right now…
Lets hope Rossi and Antonio make it…….
What’s with the bashing right after he’s scored a winner and doing well so far? I’m not a huge fan of his but really, he got in the national team based on current form so give him a little credit for that.
Yes he may not offer the creativity Cassano does or turn players inside out like Giovinco but every team needs a player or two who is reliable and does the dirty work behind the scenes.
Not great journalism tbh. For a journo that’s supposed to be a fan of Italian football I’d have thought you’d have shown a little more knowledge. Pepe has been in excellent form recently and with Italy’s complete lack of genuine widemen in Serie A, it’s not surprising to Pepe in the squad as an option. For that same reason I’m surprised Cerci is continually overlooked. Couple that with the injuries to Cassano and Rossi and Pepe looks a good alternative.
I’d also be amazed if German Denis was ever selected for Italy, mainly because he’s bloody Argentinian.
I’d quite like a go at this journalism lark. Everywhere I go half of them seem to talk/type utter waffle.
MC – we dont really want our right sided attacker to be the player that has to do the ‘dirty work’. Yes every team needs its grafters but they usually come from the defensive midfield and the full backs who we hope can defend as well as attack. From our strikers we want bags of technical ability and the skill to create and score goals. Pepe cannot do this, in my opinion, to international level.
He could be redesigned as a full back (a bit like Abate and Zambotta before him) and who knows he might just end up being international class!!!