Next generation of Italy talent ready to step in, but Chiesa burned h…

With Italy needing to reboot yet again, players like Davide Bartesaghi, Luca Koleosho and Giovanni Leoni are ready to step into the senior squad, but Federico Chiesa might’ve had his last chance.

The Nazionale is at a crossroads after an unprecedented failure to qualify for three consecutive editions of the World Cup.

A new coach is yet to be chosen following the departure of Gennaro Gattuso, but whoever takes over will have the task of bringing a fresh generation into the Italy shirt.

Italy hope next generation can revive fortunes

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Davide Bartesaghi of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Sassuolo Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Some players are already impressing at Under-21 level and getting regular club football too, like Milan full-back Bartesaghi, Fiorentina midfielder Cher Ndour, Paris FC winger Koleosho and Atalanta’s Honest Ahanor, while Brentford right-back Michael Kayode has graduated beyond the Azzurrini.

Liverpool defender Leoni and Milan-owned Francesco Camarda were showing immense promise before their injuries cut this season painfully short.

Others showed great potential only to stall, and are no longer that young, such as Nicolò Zaniolo, Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie, struggling Torino midfielder Casadei, Milan’s 26-year-old Matteo Gabbia, and Fiorentina midfielder Nicolò Fagioli.

PARMA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 29: Nicolò Zaniolo of Udinese Calcio looks on during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on November 29, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Even Antonio Vergara, who suddenly exploded onto the scene at Napoli during an injury crisis that left Antonio Conte no other alternatives but to play him, made his Serie A debut at nearly 23.

With the new generation, out goes the old, as Leonardo Spinazzola and Matteo Politano are likely at the end of the road for the Nazionale, especially if the 3-5-2 formation remains.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James’ Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Chiesa may well have burned his final bridge by repeatedly rejecting the Italy calls from Gattuso and, unlike Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Mattia Zaccagni and Guglielmo Vicario, he went straight back to Liverpool after failing a fitness test rather than stick around to be a part of this experience.

Set to turn 29 in October and with injury problems now effectively chronic in nature, nobody can genuinely rely on Chiesa for the future of the Nazionale.

We've spent our share of time diagnosing the major positional needs that the Indianapolis Colts have to address in the 2026 NFL draft. This includes the defensive front, linebacker, and safety positions.

But what about some under-the-radar needs that should have GM Chris Ballard's attention? There are a few of those as well.

The challenge for Ballard, however, is that with a modest seven total picks, including only two in the top 100, he may not have the luxury of addressing some of these lesser needs. In what is likely a must-win season for Ballard, the Colts' draft resources may be prioritized elsewhere.

That said, let's highlight some lesser talked about needs that could be addressed in the draft.

Running back

Adding to this position group in the draft to bolster the depth and competition behind Jonathan Taylor could be on Chris Ballard's radar, even if it's not an early-round selection. The only other players on the roster are DJ Giddens and Ulysses Bentley. Last season, Bentley spent the year on the practice squad, while Giddens was often inactive, still needing to develop parts of his game, particularly in pass protection.

Tight end

An addition at tight end doesn't have to be made in the NFL draft, but doing so wouldn't be a bad idea either. That player could compete with Will Mallory -- who has struggled to earn playing time in his career -- for that final roster spot. Also, looking ahead to 2027, Alie-Cox and Ogletree are free agents once again. An important aspect of the draft, after all, is planning ahead.

Offensive line

Bolstering the depth and competition behind the starting five is very much needed. At offensive tackle, Tenuta has played in three career games on offense, while Blake Freeland has seen almost no playing time over the last two seasons. Jack Wilson and Bayron Matos have no career NFL snaps.

Then at guard, Dalton Tucker, who has played 615 career snaps, is the most experienced non-starter at this position. Backing up Tanor Bortolini at center is Jimmy Morrissey, who has played 318 total snaps.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL draft: 3 sneaky positional needs Colts could address