Chelsea's Emerson Palmieri and Jorginho are two of six players to leave the Italy squad following the Azzurri's defeat to Argentina at Wembley. Roberto Mancini's side fell to a 3-0 loss in the 'Finalissima' - the clash between Europe and South America's champions.
Both Jorginho and Emerson started the game for the Euro 2020 champions with the latter being replaced by Alessandro Bastoni in the 77th minute, but have been deemed surplus to requirements for fixtures in the Nations League against Germany, Hungary and England. The duo have departed their nation's Coverciano retreat alongside Giorgio Chiellini, who has retired from international football, Federico Bernardeschi, Lorenzo Insigne and Marco Verratti.
Insigne and Verratti both missed the match against Argentina through injury, but it was always intended that the intercontinental clash would be home to those that tasted success in Euro 2020 12 months before. However, Mancini is ready to provide some new faces with an opportunity after his side failed to qualify for the World Cup, and to provide his veterans with a longer summer break.
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The Italian coach does not believe he was too loyal to the group however. He said: “I don’t think that’s the case. If we look at quality, we should have gone straight to the World Cup with the group we have created.
"Unfortunately, certain situations cost us as shown in the game against [North] Macedonia, where there were many bad moments and then they scored from 50 metres in the 92nd minute. We have a young squad. No loyalty problem.”
Jorginho's place in the Italy squad has come under a great deal of scrutiny after the midfielder failed from the spot throughout the nation's World Cup qualifying campaign, and rumours of retirement emerged when he departed the squad after defeat to North Macedonia.
The Chelsea midfielder has drawn his critics, with many disappointed in his performance against Argentina, though Lionel Messi believes Jorginho provided a significant obstacle for his side. Mancini has been known to offer players rest before, something Jorginho will benefit from significantly after a packed calendar over the last 24 months that has included the Champions League final, Euro 2020 final and Club World Cup final as part of hectic schedule. Missing four Nations League fixtures does signal that it may be a more significant moment however.
Emerson heads into his summer break with his future in the air in club football however, and seems calm about the prospect of returning to Chelsea.
He said: "For me personally, it's been a good season, I played a lot of games. Let's see what happens in the future. I have a contract with Chelsea. I've played there for three years and won some things. If I need to go back there I'm happy."
"Now I go back to Chelsea for pre-season and let's see in the next months. It was nice to know they wanted me [in January]. I have a contract there. It's my club for three seasons. I have a lot of friends there and if I come back there I am very happy."
