Italy coach Antonio Conte says Southampton striker Graziano Pelle deserves his place.
It is the first time Pelle has been called into the senior Azzurri squad.
"Graziano represents what I have always said. The meritocracy brings to the national team a player who has scored 50 goals in two years," Conte said.
"Today he is in the Premier League, a more competitive League than his spell in the Netherlands and even in England he is proving to be a protagonist.
"I am curious to see him up close to see if he can do the job. He deserved his call-up from these points of view.
"We observe them and give them a chance. Those who arrive at Coverciano must have the footballing quality and more to stay."
