New Italy coach Roberto Mancini is set to put an exciting youth overhaul in place ahead of their crucial autumn fixtures.
The former Saudi Arabia boss plans to hand senior call-ups to five U23 talents, led by AC Milan’s breakout star Alphadjo Cisse.
The aim is to build on the foundation briefly laid by Silvio Baldini and inject fresh dynamic energy into the Azzurri for their upcoming games.
They will be in UEFA Nations League action later this month, with games against Belgium, Turkey, and France to come.
Mancini plans to balance long-term youth development with established squad leadership by combining youth and experience for the games.
Five Young Players Roberto Mancini Is Considering for Italy
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roberto Mancini is set to trust Italy’s young players as he looks to turn the team’s fortunes around.
The iconic tactician, who delivered Euro 2020 success, has pencilled down a quintet of young players all under 23 years old to begin his youth revolution.
High-flying Milan sensation Alphadjo Cisse has scored two goals in three Serie A appearances under Ruben Amorim, and the 19-year-old will now be invited to his first Azzurri camp.
He will be joined by 22-year-old German-Italian striker Nicolo Tresoldi, who attracted interest from several top clubs this summer before remaining at Club Brugge. The striker has scored five goals in seven appearances this season, including one in the UEFA Champions League against Aston Villa.
Sporting CP midfielder Issa Doumbia moved from Venezia to Portugal this summer, and the 22-year-old has already impressed, starting all five league games for his new club.
Cagliari midfielder Alessandro Romano, 20, is another set for his maiden call-up after his impressive start to the 2026-27 season with the Serie A side. He is also eligible to represent Switzerland but has declared his intention to play for Italy.
Como youngster Mattia Liberali is being eased into first-team football by Cesc Fabregas this season after joining the club in a €6 million transfer from Milan. The 19-year-old has made two appearances for his new club, both in Serie A, this season.
For Tresoldi and Romano, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is finalising administrative paperwork with FIFA to complete their changes of sporting nationality ahead of upcoming squad selections.
What Does Roberto Mancini’s Italy Look Like?
Italy failed to reach the FIFA World Cup this summer, their third successive World Cup absence.
They tried to institute huge changes to their football structure at FIGC, bringing in the likes of Paolo Maldini and Leonardo, and pursuing the appointment of Pep Guardiola as their coach.
They failed with their approach for Guardiola and ended up with another ex-Manchester City boss, Mancini, instead.
On the pitch, Silvio Baldini named an almost entirely U21 squad for their friendly games in June, giving several young players an opportunity to demonstrate their readiness for senior international football.
Mancini has continued in that vein as he looks to bring in young players alongside experienced figures such as Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Bryan Cristante.
Italy will hope the strategy succeeds on the pitch, with their Nations League standing potentially crucial to securing Pot 1 seeding for the Euro 2030 qualification draw in December.
