Chiesa and Udogie expected to return to Italy squad in October

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)

Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Federico Chiesa and Destiny Udogie are expected to return to the Italy squad for games against Estonia and Israel in October.

Italy CT Gattuso will name his squad for the upcoming matches against Estonia and Israel before the weekend, and according to Gazzetta, both Udogie and Chiesa will be part of the team.

Italy squad: Udogie and Chiesa set to return

The Azzurri coach will be forced to cope without the injured Alessandro Buongiorno, Gianluca Scamacca, Giorgio Scalvini and Giovanni Leoni.

The team won’t be too different from the one Gattuso named in September, but there will be a few tweaks.

According to Gazzetta, Tottenham left-back Udogie will surely be part of the squad. Matteo Gabbia (Milan) and Bryan Cristante (Roma) are also being considered by the Azzurri boss.

According to the report, Gattuso has spoken to Chiesa in recent days, and the Liverpool winger confirmed being fit to play for the Azzurri again.

Chiesa was not called up for the September matches by mutual agreement with Gattuso as the Liverpool winger wanted to get back in shape. Chiesa has not played for the Italy national team since the 2024 Euros.

Gattuso will call up 27 or 28 players for the upcoming games in the World Cup qualifiers, making the final decisions after this week’s Champions League matches.

Predicted Italy squad for October matches (via Gazzetta)

Goalkeepers: Donnarumma, Vicario, Meret, Carnesecchi

Defenders: Di Lorenzo, Cambiaso, Dimarco, Udogie,  Bastoni, Calafiori, Gatti, Mancini, Gatti, (Bellanova).

Midfielders: Locatelli, Barella, Tonali, Frattesi, Maldini, Fabbian, Cristante (Casadei).

Strikers: Politano, Orsolini, Zaccagni, Kean, Raspadori, Retegui, Esposito, Lucca, Chiesa, (Koloesho).

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, page 6, Tuesday, September 30, 2025.