Alessandro Diamanti believes his Italian national team omission was down to a tactical decision from manager Cesare Prandelli.
The 31-year old attacking midfielder joined Guangzhou Evergrande from Bologna in February and has been in top form for the Chinese club since his arrival.
However, he was overlooked by Prandelli for the Azzurri's 30-man preliminary World Cup squad which he feels is not down to his move to Asia.
"I don't think being in China had anything to do with that," Diamanti, capped 17 times by Italy, told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I believe Cesare Prandelli made a tactical choice."
Since joining Guangzhou, the former Livorno, West Ham United and Brescia man has scored four goals in 16 appearances for the reigning Chinese Super League and Asian Champions League winners.
