Sandro Tonali, a carbon copy of the Italian icon, is certainly doing that after being called up to the Azzuri first-team despite never playing in Serie A.
Tonali is the next midfield maestro to come out of Italy.
In fact, the teenager has only played 20 games in the nation’s second division, but his performances for Brescia, where Pirlo began, caught the attention of Italy boss Roberto Mancini.
And he’s not the only one.
Italian giants Juventus and AC Milan have both been linked with a move for the central midfielder, as well as Chelsea.
Tonali has clearly caught the attention of Chelsea’s new Italian boss Maurizio Sarri, who may see the youngster as a successor or support for Jorginho.
Chelsea have already made an offer of £20million.
Last month, long-term admirer Sarri sent scouts to watch him play in a 4-1 win against Padova.
But the fact Tonali’s boyhood allegiance was with Milan may mean he turns down a move to west London.
Instead, he could follow in Pirlo’s footsteps at the San Siro. Just like him, Tonali’s talent is in his ability to find a pass, to line up his target and hit the bullseye.
But the youngster has more to his game than that.
Unlike Pirlo, he is aggressive in style and happily flies into challenges which have drawn some to see a likeness with Daniele De Rossi.
With such high expectation, there’s a lot of pressure on those young shoulders.
But Tonali has said: “I don't feel the pressure.
"I'm happy about the comparison (to Pirlo), I appreciate it, and nothing more.
“I am not thinking about moving to another club, I won't think about it until the end of this season.”
Yet with that talent, he’ll be more than a boy wonder soon.
Source: Read Full Article