Italy Coach Giampiero Ventura warns Graziano Pellè, Mario Balotelli and young Azzurri talents that he'll drop anyone who "thinks they're a phenomenon."
One of the main reasons why the former Torino boss was chosen to follow Antonio Conte was his work developing young players.
“There were those who were stunned when I said I was inheriting the oldest Nazionale of all time, but that was the truth and nobody seemed to worry about it,” Ventura told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
Italy Coach Giampiero Ventura warns Graziano Pellè, Mario Balotelli and young Azzurri talents that he'll drop anyone who "thinks they're a phenomenon."
One of the main reasons why the former Torino boss was chosen to follow Antonio Conte was his work developing young players.
“There were those who were stunned when I said I was inheriting the oldest Nazionale of all time, but that was the truth and nobody seemed to worry about it,” Ventura told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
“People are above all interested in the result, not in who achieves it, but I have to worry about how we get that result. I started travelling round the clubs, speaking to Presidents and Coaches.
“We are currently joint top of our World Cup qualifying group, but what happened off the field is just as important: today clubs play youngsters more than they did 10 years ago. It’s like a wave that is gathering momentum, that’s how a movement is born in my view.
“Marcello Lippi had champions to choose from, at the Euros Antonio Conte had time to be a Coach and form the team. How do I create young players? I have to go looking for them.”
Last month Ventura held a get-together for a closer look at 22 players, but it was a test of their mentality too.
“I made sure we had scouts watching all of them the weekend after, because if they had the attitude of thinking themselves a phenomenon, they’d never be back with the Azzurri. Nobody failed that test.
“Roberto Gagliardini, for instance, was Man of the Match for Atalanta against Roma, while Gianluca Lapadula, Gianluca Caprari, Roberto Inglese and Ciciretti all scored.
“Marco Sportiello arrived during a difficult moment and left our camp with a smile on his face. This is a 360-degree job, covering technical and psychological aspects to get the potential out of a player.”
Attitude became an important element for the Italy squad after Pellè was dropped for insulting the Coach when substituted.
“I know he apologised to his teammates. I hope he understood the situation, but I say it more for him than for me,” noted Ventura.
“I think of those stories of talents who were affected negatively by money. It’s like when some people win the lottery and it ruins their lives. Players are not the only ones who can get their heads turned this way.
“I don’t think Andrea Belotti is letting himself be affected by the €100m release clause in his Torino contract, as he’s someone who wants to improve. Great champions always put themselves up for the challenge, like Cristiano Ronaldo or Gigi Buffon.”
When it comes to attitude and feeling over-confident, thoughts inevitably drift to Nice striker Balotelli.
“There has to be a rapport and when we speak, we’ll understand if there is the possibility of collaboration with him. So far he hasn’t done what his qualities would allow for.”