Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Alessandro Diamanti is confident in his chances of earning a call up to the Italy national team for the World Cup in Brazil this summer.
The 31-year-old, who joined the Chinese side from Bologna during the January transfer window, has revealed that he has recently been in contact with Azzurri boss Cesare Prandelli, as the coach wanted to check in on his progress at his new club, and admits his new experience is helping him better prepare for the tournament.
Diamanti spoke to Sky Sport Italia about his hopes of appearing for Italy at World Cup, while also commenting on his relationship with Azzurri team-mate Mario Balotelli and the possibility of making a return to the Serie A in the future.
“I’ve heard from the coach in recent months,” said the former Bologna man. “It’s normal that he’s assessing my daily work.
“I’m doing very well here, I’m happy. I think that coming here is helping me grow even more because living in China is acting as a very important international experience.
“Since I’m very happy, it’s normal that I must continue to do good and then get ready for the expedition to Brazil.
“Balotelli? I have a very good relationship with everyone on the national team and clearly even with Mario. This is a great group and I think that he shows the greatest quality of the national team.
“Which attacking players will make it to Brazil? It’s not up to me to choose, the coach will make the best choices.
“Will I return to the Serie A? You never know, sure now would be a difficult time to because I’m having a very nice experience, both with work and culturally, and I’m very happy to be here.
“However, football is very strange, so you never know.”
