Inter Milan great Beppe Bergomi rates Francesco Acerbi as Italy's best defender.

The Inter veteran was omitted from Italy's US tour as he is investigated over an alleged racial incident against Napoli.

Bergomi told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "What quality of Acerbi is difficult to find on the market? His character, attention and concentration, because he never misses a game. But above all he has a strong personality.

"Together with (Alessandro) Buongiorno from Torino, in that role, he is the best Italian defender."

"If Acerbi and (Stefan) De Vrij are well, I will keep the two of them for life. In my opinion, Inter needs a fast defender to complete the squad, so as to be able to stand even higher or make preventive markings in another way."