Italy have lost 2 matches to find tickets to the 2018 World Cup and the 2022 World Cup against Sweden and North Macedonia. The gap between those two losses was 1,582 days. Despite such a long time, there were still 4 names in the failed squad who played in both matches at Milan and Palermo.
The four named players are Alessandro Florenzi, Ciro Immobile, Jorginho and captain Giorgio Chiellini.
Italy will have to make a drastic change towards the EURO 2024 campaign. They will have to eliminate many players and also have some stars, so they should gradually consider the option of leaving the national team because their level is no longer guaranteed.
Giorgio Chiellini
Chiellini's final high point ended in the EURO 2020 final last year. He alone blocked Harry Kane and cool down Bukayo Saka with a crazed shirt pull. At the age of 37, Chiellini has contributed enough to the Azzurri and has had success, this is the time to stop.
The veteran centre-back's Juventus contract runs until the summer of 2023. That was the "most beautiful" time for him to leave football. Currently, Chiellini's successors such as Alessandro Bastoni and Alessio Romagnoli are ready to raise the flag.
Chiellini has suffered many injuries in the past 2 years. Now is the time to return to normal life and enjoy what you have contributed.
Leonardo Bonucci
The famous pair player with Chiellini is 34 years old this year. He has been the best center back in the world for many years but has not won the time despite still being a key factor in Juve's defense. There are quite shocking statistics, Bonucci has played 114 matches for the national team but has only played in the World Cup in exactly 1 match in 2014.
Bonucci should also gradually consider retreating backstage for similar reasons to Chiellini. The future of this central defender at the Allianz Stadium is still very bright, but he is no longer trusted by the national team.
It would be better for Italy to replace Bonucci, rebuilding with younger players rather than rebuilding with someone who will turn 35 next year.
Lorenzo Insigne
Insigne played too well at EURO 2020 but was so bad that it was unimaginable in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, typically the embarrassing performance in the loss to North Macedonia.
The 30-year-old star announced 2 months before moving to Toronto FC (Canada) after the end of this season. The high point in Europe with the EURO championship is enough, the sweet years with Napoli are enough. Insigne has made a wise move in the rest of his career.
When this striker comes to Canada to play football, his quality and competitiveness will decrease significantly, making it difficult for him to be called up to the national team again.
Ciro Immobile
The 32-year-old striker is very good at Lazio but has a contrasting image when wearing a clear shirt. In 25 appearances this season for Roma, Immobile scored 21 goals, but at Azzurri, the most recent goal he scored was last year, against Switzerland in the group stage of EURO 2020.
Italy have new attacking stars such as Gianluca Scamacca and Giacommo Raspador. It is time for Immobile to give up the center forward position so that the team has a chance to do it again.
