Shaka Hislop

So the Italian FA and the teachers and the coaches at the young level have to make sure when they identify these young kids that are ultra talented is not to knock that out of them and turn them into athletes.

Because when you look at the Italian national side now, it feels like they're caught between trying to play like in a Premier League type football where it's a little bit long ball, it's a little bit athletes, it's a little bit runners because

You know, if you look at Fratesi, for example, he's probably the best number 10 that the Azzurri have got.

He's a runner who runs in the box.

He's not Baggio.

He's not Del Piero.

He's not Gianfranco Zola.

He's not an elite Maverick number 10 that's ultra skillful or totty, if you like.

So I think the Italian side, when you look at the graphic there, which three World Cups in a row is just an all-time low, I think...

when you look on the face of it, these kids have to be out there.

You know, I don't buy that the talent's not there.

It might have to come for a completely new generation.

But the important thing now for the Italian coaches is when they find this group of kids who might be 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, whatever age they are,

Make them into and let them be the players they want to be.

And don't knock it out of them.

And don't say, well, you're not going to make it into Serie A if you can run, if you can fight, if you're six foot.

Find these players, you know, embrace that.

These kids are going to be cultured and, you know, being fantastic young footballers.

Let them express themselves.

It's a couple of hour conversation.