Ex Italy Coach Heaps Praise On Inter Milan Prodigious Striker: 'Gives Me Hope For The Future'

“I watched Pio Esposito play and he gives me hope for the future,” Spalletti said.

“For my time as national coach, I have one regret, which is not having brought anyone up from Serie B.

“If I could go back, I would call someone from the second division.”

In addition to Esposito, Spalletti mentioned Parma teenager Giovanni Leoni during his interview.

“I had called some already, like Giovanni Leoni,” he said.

Leoni has been on Inter’s radar since the start of the summer. However, Parma’s €40 million price tag has slowed the Nerazzurri down.

Meanwhile, Spalletti offered his verdict on next season’s Serie A title race.

“The favorites are the usual: Napoli, Inter, Milan, and Juventus.

“However, I hope there will be some teams that manage to get into the race, like Roma and Lazio.

“I’m happy about the return of Maurizio Sarri and Massimiliano Allegri, and I have great respect for both.

“I’m curious to see what Gian Piero Gasperini will do away from home in an important setting like Roma.

“Napoli has strong foundations; the club has done an excellent job. They are the favorites.”