Davide Zappacosta’s adjustment to life at Chelsea has been rocked by an emergency call-up to the Italian national team.
The right-back signed for the Blues on transfer deadline day, joining the club from Torino for around £25million.
The 25-year-old had been settling into his new life in London when the call came.
Zappacosta immediately flew to Italy to begin training with the national side ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Israel on Tuesday.
The call-up came with Italy manager Giampiero Ventura dealing with a defensive crisis. Leonardo Bonucci picked up a yellow card in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Spain which means he is suspended for Tuesday’s match in Reggio Emilia in northern Italy. Meanwhile Leonardo Spinazzola suffered an injury in the loss to Spain and Giorgio Chiellini was already absent from the squad.
It could see Zappacosta thrust into the spotlight against Israel and given a chance to add to the four caps he’s collected so far – two of which came in qualification matches for next summer’s World Cup in Russia.
A win for Italy on Tuesday is vital after they slipped three points behind Group G leaders Spain on Saturday.
Antonio Conte will hope Zappacosta returns from the Italy squad injury-free and available for selection when Chelsea take on Leicester next Saturday.
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