Spalletti speaks out on why Manuel Locatelli was left out of the national team

Manuel Locatelli’s absence from the Italian National Team continues to be a hot topic, both for Juventus fans and the broader football community.

Despite starting the season well with Juventus, the midfielder has not been called up by new Italy coach Luciano Spalletti. The coach addressed this decision during a press conference held at Coverciano.

Spalletti explained that while Locatelli is performing well and is well-known to the coaching staff, the decision to leave him out was strategic.

“We know him well, and he’s doing well,” Spalletti said. “He’s part of the group that we think could be a part of the National Team. We know what he can do and what he brings to the table.

On the other hand, players like Fagioli and Ricci offer the possibility of total change in their game. They’ve just started and are growing. They still need to show their full potential.”

Spalletti also emphasized the importance of integrating new talents into the squad as they prepare for future competitions.

“It’s easy to bring in someone like Acerbi, whose performance is consistent. But we need to develop new personalities for the competition in two years.

From a player who is 27-30 years old, you know what to expect, but a 20-22-year-old can change completely if you give them confidence in competitions they haven’t yet experienced.”

This statement highlights Spalletti’s focus on building a squad with an eye toward the future, even if it means making tough decisions like leaving out a seasoned player like Locatelli.