Who are the most valuable players in the Italy squad in October? | OneFootball

Gennaro Gattuso has named his 27-man squad list for the October games against Estonia and Israel, and three Inter stars are among the most valuable in the team.

Italy return to the pitch this month, facing Estonia and Israel in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

As suggested by games not on gamstop, the Azzurri are facing a tough task given that Norway lead Group I by one point and a massive gap in goal difference.

This means Italy will probably need playoffs again to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

To qualify for the competition and play in the World Cup for the first time since 2014, Italy will have to rely on their best players, who are often those with a higher transfer value as well.

Most valuable Italy players in October

UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Omri Glazer of Israel punches the ball clear as Alessandro Bastoni of Italy attempts a header during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

As reported by transfermarkt, Inter stars Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolò Barella are the most valuable players in the Azzurri squad this month. The defender is worth €80m, while the midfielder is slightly below at €75m.

Sandro Tonali, a former Milan star is the third most valuable Italy player with a transfer value of €60m.

Federico Dimarco, another Inter player, and Moise Kean (Fiorentina), have the same transfer value at €50m, while Mateo Retegui’s transfer valuation is €45m.

Retegui and Kean were the players in the spotlight in Gattuso’s first games in charge in September and the Azzurri will need more of their goals in the next outings.

Italy will visit Estonia on October 11 and then host Israel on October 14.

The last two games will be played in November: away at Moldova on Thursday, 1,3 and at home against Norway on Sunday, 16.

Gattuso’s first games in charge as Italy coach

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso of Italy looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

Gattuso already beat Estonia 5-0 on his debut as Italy’s head coach and then secured a “crazy” 5-4 win over Isreal a few days later.

“It’s the craziest game I’ve been involved with as a coach, but it is my problem and not that of the players. If we want to play in a certain way, we need to get better at this,” the Azzurri said after the game.

“We were crazy to systematically go on the attack, that’s what Israel were waiting for, they hit us on the counter every time. We could’ve defended deeper when leading.

“We’re a crazy team, because we are too fragile, we concede ridiculous goals too easily. The lads know that, but this is my problem, not theirs. We come from a football where it’s about references, but we need to work on being our own team first.”