Italy woes might even increase as top players poached abroad | OneFootball

The number of Italy internationals playing abroad has increased significantly this summer, specifically in the Premier League, but is this helping or hindering Gennaro Gattuso’s work?

The Nazionale was already struggling to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, with Luciano Spalletti sacked two games into the group, prompting the arrival of Gattuso.

Italian players were not getting regular time on the field at club level and the situation may well be deteriorating, even as they complete big money moves.

Big moves don’t guarantee playing time for Italy talent

Giovanni Leoni signs his Liverpool contract (liverpoolfc.com)

Giacomo Raspadori and Matteo Ruggeri will now be teammates at Atletico Madrid, but will they realistically get more or less playing time than they did with Napoli and Atalanta?

Diego Coppola certainly won’t have the kind of attention with Brighton and Hove Albion that he did for Hellas Verona, while Giovanni Leoni will learn that a €35m price tag won’t guarantee being picked at Liverpool.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Diego Coppola of Brighton & Hove Albion in action during the warm up ahead of the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Fulham at Amex Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Even Riccardo Calafiori, who was the breakout star of Italy’s EURO 2024 campaign and scored in the Premier League opener for Arsenal this season, is by no means a regular in the starting XI.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Declan Rice during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Federico Chiesa also found the net last weekend and is hoping this season can be different at Liverpool, though much of that as always depends on his fitness levels.

Perhaps the only Italy international who features regularly at club level in England is Sandro Tonali, who has gone from strength to strength at Newcastle United.

Mateo Retegui is another matter entirely, as going to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Qadsiyah could push him from first choice for the Azzurri to an afterthought.

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 9: Mateo Retegui of Italy during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Gattuso has spent the summer visiting all the Serie A clubs in their pre-season training camps, but how much can he realistically keep up with players littered all over Europe?

If the problem had been getting more regular playing time for those who can represent Italy, then seeing them sit on ever more expensive benches probably isn’t the solution.