Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has explained why he sold Giampaolo Pazzini to Sampdoria while in charge of Fiorentina.

Prandelli's comments about Pazzini may cast doubt over his future with the Azzurri.

He explained: "I am absolutely certain I did the right thing with Pazzini. He was too mollycoddled in Florence and would never have grown up. Players are more individualistic and locked in their own world nowadays.

"You see them grinning after a defeat, as if they couldn't care less, but the truth is that's a symptom of unhappiness. That's how I interpreted the younger Azzurri at the World Cup taking pictures on their mobiles ahead of the decisive match against Slovakia. It was a cry for help.

"These are professionals paid an incredible amount of money and they must take responsibility. I am ready to listen to their problems, like a parent with his adult children, but there's a moment in which they must stand on their own two feet.

"They cannot turn round and look to me for a way out. If they do, I am prepared to tell them no, that's enough. We all ought to do that more."