Inter Milan hero Benoit Cauet says Italian football has lost it's way due to the amount of their foreign players.

Frenchman Cauet says the national team has suffered due to the lack of opportunities for their young players.

"Italy would have achieved great goals. Missing out once once can happen, but historically for a nation like Italy, not participating in the World Cup is really something strange," said Cauet.

“A little something needs to be revised, but it's been a discussion that has been going on for years, especially as regards to the Primavera teams and the excessive number of foreigners.

“Italian football has lost it's identity, which only emerged when they won the European Championship.

“We need to create a law capable of finding a working method applied by all teams and youth sectors to unearth the real footballing value of Italians.

“This solution is being sought everywhere, but no measure has yet been found to relieve Italy. The national team has won many World Cups, it's a shame not to see them in this edition of the tournament."