Report – Italy Coach Gattuso Closely Following Inter Milan Breakout Star For International Team | OneFootball

Italian national team coach Gennaro Gattuso is closely following the development of Inter Milan striker Francesco Pio Esposito.

This according to the Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

Francesco Pio Esposito is set to be part of Inter’s senior squad this coming season.

After two seasons on loan with Spezia, the Nerazzurri gave the 20-year-old a chance to prove himself at the Club World Cup this summer.

And it was an opportunity which Pio Esposito grabbed with both hands. Therefore, he will be part of Inter’s plans for Serie A, the Champions League, and the Coppa Italia.

Gattuso Following Inter Striker Francesco Pio Esposito Closely

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 25: Francesco Esposito #94 of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Lautaro Martinez #10 during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and CA River Plate at Lumen Field on June 25, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

And according to the Gazzetta dello Sport, one particularly interested party in Pio Esposito’s development this season would be Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso.

The legendary former AC Milan midfielder took over as Azzurri boss this summer from Luciano Spalletti.

And one area of the pitch in which there is some doubt for Italy is the attack.

It has been some time since the Azzurri have been able to call upon a truly top-class centre-forward.

There have been some candidates to step up recently. Among them are Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean.

However, if Pio Esposito is able to maintain his trajectory playing in Serie A, he could certainly also stake his claim for the national team.

The 20-year-old Inter striker has a combination of physicality, holdup play, and finishing ability that is very rare indeed.

Therefore, Gattuso will be watching with a keen eye to see whether Pio Esposito earns a spot as Italy’s centre-forward for years to come with his performances over the coming season.

The young striker has already earned some comparisons to past Italy greats like Luca Toni and Christian Vieri. And Gattuso might be the happiest person of all if Pio Esposito can make good on them.