ROBERTO MANCINI’S shake-up of the Italian national team continues with the shock inclusion of a wonderkid that has yet to even play senior football.

The former Manchester City boss has called up 17-year-old Como midfielder Riccardo Cassano.

Theo Walcott was called up to England‘s World Cup squad when he was just 17 and he hadn’t played for Arsenal yet. But, he had at least appeared for Southampton in the Championship.

Cassano, who is not the son of the legendary maverick Italian international Antonio, was only promoted to Como’s under-21 side this summer.

But he has played for Italy U18s and that has been where Mancini has received rave reviews.

As a defensive midfielder, some wonderkid watchlists have likened him to Sergio Busquets and Andrea Pirlo. No pressure then!

Cassano hasn’t been called up for a set of no pressure friendlies, either.

Italy will be in action in the Nations League against France at the San Siro next Thursday, November 12, and away against Belgium on Sunday, November 15. 

As things stand, Italy sit in second place in their Nations League group on seven points after four matches. France lead the way on 10, Belgium are in third on six and Turkey are pointless at the bottom.

Mancini has been tasked with overhauling the Italians’ fortunes. They have missed the last THREE World Cups and despite winning Euro 2020, they have fallen on hard times considering their stature.

Paolo Maldini had wanted Pep Guardiola to be the new Italy boss with Carlo Ancelotti and Andrea Pirlo his other alternatives.

When none of those options worked out, Maldini left his post with the Italian FA and Mancini – who led Italy to the Euros victory – returned for his second spell as boss.

He already made a stir with one of his first squads this year when he called up a striker playing in the second division of Germany. 

Mancini hasn’t been afraid to bring new blood into the set-up as he seeks to change his country’s fortunes.

Along with Cassano in his latest squad, Italy have six uncapped players and four of those are 20 or younger.

Premier League stars like Michael Kayode and Honest Ahanor have both made their Italy bows under Mancini, too.

But this is not the first time Mancini has called-p an Italian with no senior experience.

Back in 2019, he gave Nicolo Zaniolo his first cap for the senior national team a full six months before his first competitive appearance with Roma.