West Ham United’s Angelo Ogbonna has expressed his unhappiness at not receiving a call-up from Italy manager Luciano Spalletti for the last two international breaks.
During an interview with La Stampa, relayed by TuttoMercatoWeb, the 35-year-old has talked about his ‘Azzurri regrets’.
The West Ham player last received a call up from the national team in October 2020 when he was an unused substitute in Italy’s friendly win over Moldova and his last appearance for his country was against Israel in September 2016.
Operating as a centre-back, the former Torino man made 31 appearances last season and was part of the Hammers squad that won the UEFA Conference League.
Ogbonna has admitted that he was hopeful his displays for West Ham last season would help him return to the national team squad.
“I have come to terms with it and I respect the decisions. I hoped and thought I would receive a call to be part of the group,” he said.
He joined West Ham from Juventus in 2015 and on his experience of football in England, Ogbonna explained: “The level has always been high but before it was all about intensity. Here there is the culture of giving the coaches and players the time necessary to complete their journey.”
This season, the Italian has made four appearances and that includes one start in the league against Brighton & Hove Albion in August. Since then, he has not made an appearance in the Premier League, which will have impacted his Italy hopes.
