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Leonardo Bonucci doesn't know England debutant's name, calls him 'the new one'
Home>Football
Updated 11:06 23 Sep 2022 GMT+1Published 09:32 23 Sep 2022 GMT+1

Leonardo Bonucci doesn't know England debutant's name, calls him 'the new one'

Italy captain Leonardo Bonucci doesn't appear too clued up on England's players.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

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Leonardo Bonucci doesn't know England new boy Ivan Toney's name and referred to him as "the new one" in a recent press conference.

Italy host England at Milan's San Siro in a repeat of the Euro 2020 final on Friday night. This time it's the penultimate group game in the UEFA Nations League, with England and Italy the final two teams in Group 3 after four games.

There's a new face in the Three Lions 28-man squad as Gareth Southgate elected to call up Brentford striker Toney following a fine start to the season.

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Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

Toney, who has played in all four divisions in England, has hit five goals in the Premier League this season - with only Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Aleksandar Mitrovic scoring more.

But it seems as though Italy skipper Bonucci isn't familiar with Toney.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

He talked up fellow captain Harry Kane's ability and then admitted to watching videos of "very talented" Toney - even if he didn't mention his name.

"With Kane, we have played many matches against each other," Bonucci is quoted as saying, as per One Football.

"I believe he is a great striker and among the best in the world.

"And the new one? We will see. I watched some videos about him over these last few days and he is very talented.

"In England they have a great advantage as they have real talent thanks to the courage of Premier League clubs to make them play."

Bonucci has a knack of trolling England. The Juventus defender scored the equaliser in Italy's Euro 2020 triumph at Wembley and then shouted "It's coming to Rome" to the camera after Roberto Mancini's men won on penalties.

Italy haven't been in great form since then and Friday's game promises to be an interesting one for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

The former AC Milan shotstopper was booed on his last appearance at the San Siro and Bonucci is pleading with fans to not jeer him.

"Whoever whistles a player of the Italian national team is for me a person without a brain, at that moment the player represents the whole nation," Bonucci said.

"Donnarumma was not the first to be booed and he will not be the last. We have to grow up from a cultural point of view."

Featured Image Credit: Image: Alamy

Topics: England, Italy, Leonardo Bonucci

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

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@joshlawless_

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