After a spectacular summer of football for Italy, their triumphant stars are preparing for life back in Serie A as the 2021/22 season fast approaches.
Roberto Mancini’s international team has been unbeaten since he took over as head coach following Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup in Russia in 2018.
It’s been an incredible turnaround as the Italy team dominated by Serie A players entered Euro 2020 in scintillating form and carried that on into the finals.
Mancini has added vibrancy and attacking nerve to the national team to complement the ever present toughness and organisation that Italian sides are renowned for and the blend of youthful exuberance and grizzled experience made the perfect winning combination.
Let’s take a look at some of the Azzurri heroes who lifted the Euro 2020 trophy after such an excellent summer. They are all subject to transfer speculation, but as things stand, they are all set to liven up the Serie A 2021 highlights in the coming season.
Federico Chiesa: Juventus
Juventus are plotting revenge on Inter Milan, having lost the Scudetto to the Nerazzurri last season and the pre-season SBOTOP odds back the Old Lady to succeed.
They are looking more likely to retain the services of Cristiano Ronaldo out front while his young partner Federico Chiesa has been the subject of transfer speculation.
He had a superb Euro 2020 by scoring the first goal in Italy’s hard fought victory over Austria in the Round of 16 and he was outstanding in Italy’s final victory over England.
Premier League giants Liverpool are said to be interested in the striker but the Old Lady has said the £85-M rated star is going nowhere. And if that remains the case, then Serie A defences will have plenty to think about next term.
Domenico Berardi: Sassuolo
26-year-old Domenico Berardi can play as a winger or second striker and he really came of age at the European Championships, tormenting defences and making assists in the Azzurri’s victories over Turkey and Switzerland.
He came on as a second half substitute in the final to replace Ciro Immobile and he kept his cool to score the opening spot kick in Italy’s winning penalty shootout.
Berardi was linked with a move away from Sassuolo even before Euro 2020 with Premier League club Leicester City reported to be keen, but I Neroverdi will be desperate to keep hold of their star who has been at the club for six seasons – scoring 55 goals in 177 appearances.
Lorenzo Insigne: Napoli
Napoli fans have known how good Insigne is having watched him provide the perfect link between midfield and attack for their team as they pushed Juventus close for the Scudetto in recent seasons.
And now, he is a national hero having played a huge role in his country’s summer success. He scored the second goal in Italy’s quarter-final victory over Belgium, a stunning strike to give the Azzurri breathing space against the highest ranking side in the world.
Napoli are hopeful of keeping Insigne at the club and the attacking midfielder is meeting with officials to discuss an extension to his contract.
Having returned to Naples from an extended holiday, he has an appointment with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentis to hash out the details of a new deal, though the club may ask him to take a paycut due to losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Serie A 2021 betting odds back Napoli to make a top four place and, with 109 goals in 397 competitive appearances, Insigne is crucial to the club’s success.
Manuel Locatelli: Sassuolo
Sassuolo might struggle to keep hold of their other prized asset as reports have emerged that Manuel Locatelli’s representatives are to resume talks with Juventus over a potential move for the defensive midfielder.
Premier League club Arsenal are also said to be interested in the 23-year-old who impressed at Euro 2020, scoring a brace in Italy’s 3-0 destruction of Switzerland.
Locatelli is said to prefer a role in Serie A. Whether it’s with Sassuolo or Juventus, he will be a player to watch next season.
Giorgio Chiellini: Juventus
His defensive partnership with another Juventus and Azzurri legend Leonardo Bonucci didn’t do enough to win the Old Lady a 10th successive Scudetto last term.
But it was Bonucci’s form which was the less consistent of the two, and having been released at the end of the 2020/21 campaign following his summer exploits, Chiellini new contract with I Bianconeri is well-deserved.
Chiellini is such a big character and was at his belligerent best in Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph . At 36 years of age, he proved he’s still one of the best in the business.
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