Gianfranco Zola has emphasized the need for a long-term plan to develop young Italian footballers, highlighting that the current crop of talented youngsters requires careful nurturing to reach their full potential. This approach will enable them to make a significant impact on the national team. Italy's recent Under 17 European Championship win is a testament to the country's ability to produce skilled young players. However, Zola stresses that a sustained effort is needed to help these players mature and improve.

Zola's comments come at a crucial time for Italian football, with the national team seeking to rebuild and regain its former glory. The country's football authorities are exploring ways to improve the development of young players, including potential reforms to the league system. Zola believes that a decade-long plan is necessary to achieve significant progress. This involves not only providing the right environment for young players to grow but also giving them the opportunity to gain experience and make mistakes.

The former Italian international also praised Roberto Mancini's capabilities as a coach, suggesting that it is unfair to attribute his success solely to the influence of Gianluca Vialli. Zola hopes that whoever takes over as the next national team coach will be given the support and resources needed to excel. He emphasized that it is a collective effort, requiring the involvement of all stakeholders in Italian football.

As AC Milan continues to focus on developing its own young players, Zola's insights offer valuable guidance on how the club and the wider Italian football community can work together to create a brighter future for the sport.