"I think Pio is hungry for goals, fighting spirit and play," Roberto Mancini said, and the rest of the quote only pushed the point further. He added that Francesco Pio Esposito could become a centre-forward with the same composure as Vieri and Toni within two years. The Italy forward has already given the manager a strong base to say it, with 7 goals in 13 appearances for Italy, including the strike that closed the 3-1 win over Türkiye.

Pio Esposito's numbers for Italy

The start is impressive on its own. Seven goals in 13 appearances is a serious return for a young international forward, and the rate sits at 0.54 goals per game. That is why Mancini's praise does not feel like empty hype, even if the phrasing around Esposito's total has varied between outlets.

The goal against Türkiye was also the kind of detail that sticks with a coach. It did not merely pad a scoreline, it finished the match at 3-1 and came in a game that added to the sense that Esposito is already handling senior responsibility.

Mancini's wider Italy picture

Mancini did not talk only about Esposito. He also said Michael Kayode is now slightly ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order at right-back, while Sandro Tonali and Riccardo Calafiori remain part of the core he can trust. Donnarumma is the only player to have played all four matches in this break, which tells its own story about the level of certainty he still brings.

The younger group is giving Italy more than just warm bodies, too. Mancini said Doumbia is ahead of Vergara because he is already playing in the Champions League, and he also praised Romano after saying the players he mentioned need matches to raise their level.

Italy's U21 side is part of that same momentum. They qualified for Euro U21 after beating Belgium 6-2, and the campaign ended with 32 goals scored and only 7 conceded. Mancini's comments on Esposito fit neatly into that wider flow, but the headline is still the striker himself. A manager does not talk about Vieri and Toni lightly, and he was explicit enough about the two-year timescale for Esposito to make the comparison feel intentional.

FAQ

Why is Roberto Mancini so excited about Pio Esposito?

Mancini called Pio Esposito exceptional and said he could become a centre-forward with the same composure as Vieri and Toni within two years. The Italy striker has 7 goals in 13 appearances, and his goal against Türkiye sealed a 3-1 win.

Will Pio Esposito become Italy's main centre-forward?

Mancini's comments point that way, but the article stops short of certainty. What is clear is that Esposito has 7 goals in 13 appearances for Italy, and Mancini believes his reliability and technical qualities can take him a long way.

How strong is Italy's young attacking group right now?

Italy's U21s qualified for Euro U21 after beating Poland 6-2, and the campaign ended with 32 goals scored and only 7 conceded. Mancini also spoke positively about Doumbia, Vergara and Romano as players who need matches to raise their level.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →