5 Azzurri players who deserve a call-up for the World Cup play-off

The Azzurri must call up all their best players if they hope to be at Russia 2018

#4 Simone Zaza

Since his calamitous penalty against Germany at Euro 2016, Zaza has been out the national set up — Since his calamitous penalty against Germany at Euro 2016, Zaza has been out of the national set-up

Zaza's appalling penalty in the penalty shootout against Germany at last year's Euros seemed to have signalled the death knell for his national team career. but given his sublime form at Valencia, it's time for the Azzurri to bring the 26-year-old back to the fold.

He has scored 8 goals for Valencia in La Liga so far, guiding the club to the second spot on the table.

With his hold up play, aerial abilities and intelligence to play as a lone striker, Zaza would suit Italy down to the ground.

With Andrea Belotti still recovering from the knee injury he picked up playing for Torino, Zaza is the ideal replacement to provide attacking presence alongside an in-form Ciro Immobile.

He deserves a chance to play against Sweden over strikers such as Eder - a player who is not a regular starter for Inter Milan.

Edited by Omene Osuya