Zoff: I wouldn't take Scuffet to the World Cup

Posted Sunday, April 20, 2014 by YAHOO Sport

Italy goalkeeping icon Dino Zoff has revealed that he would not select Udinese starlet Simone Scuffet for this summer's World Cup.

The former Azzurri coach has been hugely impressed by the way in which 17-year-old has displaced Zeljko Brkic as Francesco Guidolin's first-choice shot-stopper since making his debut against Bologna in February.

However, Zoff does not feel that Scuffet should be named as one of Italy's three goalkeepers for this summer's showpiece event in Brazil.

"I would not take him to the World Cup," the 72-year-old is quoted as saying by Il Mattino. "He has zero experience.

"But he did very well when he was introduced [against Bologna as a last-minute replacement for the injured Brkic]. Credit to Guidolin for putting him out there and having confidence in such a young player.

"[Scuffet's] calmness and coolness are striking. At 17, if you show these characteristics on the field, you are destined to become a great player.

"It's obvious that his team-mates in the defensive department are helping him, but the boy is putting so much into his success himself."

Zoff captained Italy to World Cup glory in 1982 at the age of 40 and he remains the oldest skipper ever to have lifted the trophy.