Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 9y

Palermo's Franco Vazquez open to Italy callup from Antonio Conte

Palermo forward Franco Vazquez says he would be delighted to receive a call from Italy coach Antonio Conte offering him a place in his next Squadra Azzurra selection.

With seven goals and eight assists so far this season, the 25-year-old has been catching the eye for the Sicilian club.

Although he was born in Argentina, his mother is from Padua and, unlike teammate Paulo Dybala, who has declared his preference to play for the country of his birth, Vazquez is open to representing Italy.

"My mum would be delighted," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"But she always told me to do what I felt was best for me. She didn't have to do any convincing. I've always said that I feel half Italian. My mum is from Padua and I've got lots of relatives there. It would be an honour."

Vazquez, who has not recently spoken with Conte, added: "I only really saw Conte when he came to visit us at Boccadifalco [Palermo's training ground]. Since then, I've not heard from him.

"For me, he's one of the best coaches in the world. You don't win three scudettos in a row by fluke. He emits such a motivational air, just like our club coach [Giuseppe Iachini]. If Conte asked, I would even play in midfield -- I've done it at Palermo so of course I'd do it for the national team."

Vazquez may get to do it in March when Italy face Bulgaria in a Euro 2016 qualifier in Sofia. "Maybe -- I can't wait," added Vazquez.

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