Not just Leoni: 2006 Italy World Cup winner names four more promising Italy defenders

Luca Marianucci, who joined Napoli from Empoli this summer, is among the players to watch during the international break.

“I have to say that all of our centre-backs are very interesting profiles,” Barzagli told Gazzetta.

“They are well-built, very focused and involved. Marianucci has an important presence on the pitch and a good left foot. [Fabio] Chiarodia is a very talented boy, still a bit shy. But I could also mention [Filippo] Mane, [Giovanni] Leoni, who is with the senior team, or [Gabriele] Guarino.”

Leoni received his first senior Italy call-up this month, just a few weeks after joining Premier League giants Liverpool from Parma.

Barzagli was one of the best Italian defenders in the last decade and has a valuable tip for emerging centre-backs.

Barzagli on the centre-back role: ‘Thankless’

“Unfortunately, it’s a thankless role. You grow a lot when you make mistakes,” he said.

“You understand the error and don’t let yourself get caught out again. You improve in reading the game, and that’s something you can only really learn in matches, by playing. In Italy, we have a tradition of defenders, and even those who were already strong at a young age improved even more with experience.”

During the same interview, Barzagli explained how he became involved in the Italy U21 project under new coach Baldini and stated that he wasn’t surprised to see many over-30 players join Serie A clubs this summer.