Kelvin Yeboah is one of ten new faces in this Italy Under-21 side. A nephew of former Ghanaian international Anthony Yeboah, Kelvin started playing youth football with West Ham before moving to Italy with his family, as well as stints in Monza, Novara and Gozzano.

In February 2021, his moved to Austrian Bundesliga outfit Sturm Graz was made official. “I came to Italy in 2004 when I was five or six years old and have had a passport for a fair while. I played in Monza, in Novara, and then I went to Gozzano and West Ham. After that, I went to Austria to play for Tirol Innsbruck and, now, Sturm Graz, where I’m playing Europa League football. I’d advise anybody to go and play abroad; living alone in another country helps you to grow as a person and as a player. You get used to doing things your own way and to not depending on your mum. Discovering the world is important; it’s an experience that everyone should have as it helps you in all aspects of life. I left my country as a young boy; I didn’t have too much fortune in the beginning and I decided to make my way to London. I grew quickly there. I learned to manage my body and take advantage of my pace. We’re doing a bit more tactical work in Austria but going from Italy to England helped me a lot.”

For Yeboah - who named O Fenomeno Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo and his uncle Anthony as his idols - Friday’s match could be his debut in an Italy shirt. “I’ve settled in well here; I already knew some of the lads because I’ve played against them. They’re great guys. The coach asked us to play together, gave us two or three tactical points and has asked us to become a team in the few days we have together. We need to all have the same aims.”

Today, the Azzurrini held a double training session ahead of Friday’s Euro 2023 qualifier against Luxembourg in Empoli (17:30 CEST).

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Cremonese), Alessandro Plizzari (Milan), Alessandro Russo (Alessandria);

Defenders: Raoul Bellanova (Girondins de Bordeaux), Riccardo Calafiori (Roma), Andrea Cambiaso (Genoa), Andrea Carboni (Cagliari), Gabriele Ferrarini (Perugia), Antonino Gallo (Lecce), Matteo Lovato (Atalanta), Andrea Papetti (Brescia), Lorenzo Pirola (Monza), Iyenoma Destiny Udogie (Udinese);

Midfielders: Marco Brescianini (Monza), Jacopo Da Riva (Spal), Nicolò Fagioli (Juventus), Filippo Ranocchia (Juventus), Samuele Ricci (Empoli), Nicolò Rovella (Genoa), Sandro Tonali (Milan);

Forwards: Matteo Cancellieri (Hellas Verona), Lorenzo Colombo (Spal), Roberto Piccoli (Atalanta), Eddie Salcedo (Inter), Kelvin Yeboah (Sportklub Sturm Graz).

Schedule (all times CEST)

Tuesday 31 August

10.30 - Training (open only for RAI TV operators)

13.30 - Player press conference (RAI in attendance, followed by a Zoom for the press)

17.30 - Training (closed)

Wednesday 1 September

10.30 - Training (open only for RAI TV operators)

13.30 - Player press conference (RAI in attendance, followed by a Zoom for the press)

17.30 - Training (closed)

Thursday 2 September

10.30 - Training (closed)

13.45 - Coach Nicolato press conference (Rai in attendance, followed by a Zoom for the press)

19.00 – Visit to Stadio Carlo Castellani in Empoli

Friday 3 September

10.00 - Coach Nicolato interview exclusive to RAI TV

10.30 - Training (closed)

17.30 – ITALY vs. LUXEMBOURG - Stadio Carlo Castellani, Empoli. Press conference post-game and return to Tirrenia

Saturday 4 September

10.30 - Training (closed)

17.00 – Transfer to Vicenza Tiepolo Hotel

Sunday 5 September

15.30 - Coach Nicolato interview with RAI TV

17.30 - Training (closed)

Monday 6 September

10.30 - Training (closed)

13.45 - Coach Nicolato press conference (RAI in attendance, followed by a Zoom for the press)

19.00 - Visit to Stadio Romeo Menti in Monza

Tuesday 7 September

10.00 - Coach Nicolato interview exclusive to RAI TV

17.30 ITALY vs. MONTENEGRO - Stadio Romeo Menti, Vicenza. Press conference post-game and return of players to their respective clubs