Italy CT Roberto Mancini believes Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne is capable of doing ‘much more’ for club and country.
Insigne’s season has been marred by injuries, as well as alleged run-ins with Napoli fans and Coach Carlo Ancelotti, and Mancini wants to see an improvement from the 27-year-old.
“I arrived at a difficult time for the national team, the most difficult of the last 50 years,” he told Tutti Convocati.
Italy CT Roberto Mancini believes Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne is capable of doing ‘much more’ for club and country.
Insigne’s season has been marred by injuries, as well as alleged run-ins with Napoli fans and Coach Carlo Ancelotti, and Mancini wants to see an improvement from the 27-year-old.
“I arrived at a difficult time for the national team, the most difficult of the last 50 years,” he told Tutti Convocati.
“We thought we had to do something different and call up young lads like Zaniolo. After his call-up, he became a starter for Roma.
“I see him as a central midfielder. He has technique, creativity and he’s a good shooter. He can do it all.
“Now he is experiencing a normal spell of physical decline, but he’s a player with great potential like Kean, Tonali and others.
“Insigne must stay calm. For the quality he has, he can do much more. At his age, he’s at the best age to do much more.
“There are difficult moments in a player’s career, but they pass.
“They must keep working. I know Balotelli too well. I expect him to improve, not only in terms of goals.
“He must fight, work and receive less bookings because he still picks up too many.
“When he’s complete in that sense, he’ll get his chance because he’s an Italian player at the right age, and we hope he keeps maturing.
“Kean’s a young lad who still has a lot to learn. He still plays like a youth player and does things he doesn’t have to do, but then he scores goals.
“Physically he could become devastating. He can become a great striker.
“I’m very disappointed that I didn’t win anything with Italy as a player, so I’d like to win as a Coach.
“We still have to qualify for Euro 2020. Our next two games are very important. We have a year to improve and get there.
The former Sampdoria striker then expressed his desire for ex-teammate Gianluca Vialli to work in football again.
“I hope Vialli returns to football. I don’t know what probability there is to see him back at Samp.
“He’s a decent guy and a figure who would be good for our football.”