<\/p>\n
Some of Australia\u2019s most prominent footballing voices are split on whether the Socceroos should go chasing Cristian Volpato ahead of this year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n
National team boss Tony Popovic and his assistant Paul Okon were spotted in Italy last week, watching from the stands as Volpato\u2019s Sassuolo claimed a 3-0 win over Hellas Verona.<\/p>\n
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The Sydney born and raised winger was an unused substitute in that Serie A clash, and it was reported in the Italian media that conversations would be had between the 22-year-old and the Socceroos hierarchy.<\/p>\n Volpato could have already played in a World Cup, if he had committed to Graham Arnold\u2019s squad four years ago.<\/p>\n The then-teenager declined the chance to go to Qatar, however, citing his desire to play for the Azzurri instead due to his Italian heritage.<\/p>\n Volpato has never represented Italy in a senior international, but did so at U19, U20 and U21 level.<\/p>\n But his stocks have also diminished during the current World Cup cycle.<\/p>\n In 2022, he played for AS Roma in the Serie A and the Europa League but he was sold to Sassuolo the following year for \u20ac7.5 million (A$12.4m).<\/p>\n Many in Australian football have felt the sting by Volpato\u2019s rejections so far, and are reluctant to allow the winger to come crawling back.<\/p>\n Particularly after a few years without dominant displays, having scored once and providing four assists in 16 appearances across all competitions so far this season.<\/p>\n Since the start of the new year, Volpato has only played 12 minutes due to injury and selection.<\/p>\n \u201cFour years ago when this discussion happened around Volpato, it was \u2018just call him up to lock him in\u2019. He was going to add something to the squad no doubt,\u201d football commentator Daniel Garb said on the <\/a>Football 360<\/a><\/i> podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it was like we can carry him but make him an Australian, play him at the World Cup and he\u2019s tied to us. (They) gave him the chance. I mean obviously we weren\u2019t just forcing him, you\u2019re going to a World Cup! But he said no.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got to earn it to a point as well. He doesn\u2019t have that same clout Volpato now. He\u2019s got to earn it. <\/p>\n \u201cMate, you had your chance, you said no. You\u2019re not necessarily demanding selection anymore. Antonio Arena is demanding it more than Volpato at the moment!\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n World Cup State of Play: Aussie X-factor firing for Dutch giants; Socceroos\u2019 bid to poach Italy ace<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Injury latest: \ufeffIn-form Socceroo limps off inside 10 mins in massive World Cup scare<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n McGree hits third goal in four games | 00:36<\/p>\n Arena might be following in Volpato\u2019s footsteps.<\/p>\n The 16-year-old scored with his first touch in his professional debut for Roma last month.<\/p>\n He also hails from Sydney, but due to his Italian heritage, represented Italy in last year\u2019s U17 World Cup – Australia did not qualify.<\/p>\n Former Australia and Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich believes the national team should not be turning its back on anyone who qualifies as an Australian.<\/p>\n \u201cIf he\u2019s good enough, of course they should,\u201d Bosnich said on SEN<\/i> when talking about Volpato.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously he must be good if we\u2019re talking about him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not? Why not try? It\u2019s okay. There\u2019s not a problem.<\/p>\n \u201cI do recall Tony Popovic in a press conference saying \u2018if we have to sell the jersey, we\u2019ve got a problem\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand where he\u2019s coming from but you can always keep your options open.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t be too proud,\u201d co-host Adam Peacock replied.<\/p>\n \u201cExactly,\u201d Bosnich responded.<\/p>\n \u201cSome people will say selfish, whatever, they have their own reasons.<\/p>\n \u201cWe as a nation, and we\u2019re not the only nation – Italy itself at the moment is having problems with their young talent in comparison to their past, they\u2019ve won four World Cups – but we as a nation as well, in my opinion, cannot afford to lose out on good players that could parade themselves and help Australia further themselves along in world football.\u201d<\/p>\n It remains to be seen what will come of the discussions between Volpato and Popovic.<\/p>\n Garb believes if the carrot is being dangled in front of him, then the answer is obvious. <\/p>\n But Garb holds doubts as Australia have the likes of wingers Nestory Irankunda, Martin Boyle, Zac Sapsford and Adrian Segecic performing solidly across the Championship and the Scottish Premiership.<\/p>\n \u201cI think if he was called right now, he would commit to playing for Australia,\u201d Garb said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhether he is up to the quality\u2026 we haven\u2019t seen enough of him.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier in the season, Volpato revealed that he had been in contact with the Socceroos in recent times.<\/p>\n