HONEST AHANOR has left the Italy squad and will link up with his country’s Under-21s.

The teenage defender, who has agreed to join from Atalanta next summer, was initially named in ‘s 34-man squad.

Italy Training Session & Press Conference
Honest Ahanor joined up wirth the Italy squad Credit: Getty
Italy vs Belgium - Nations League 2026/2027, Rome - 25 Sep 2026
Ahanor, 18, was on the bench for a match last week Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

With only 23 players able to named in a matchday squad, however, Ahanor has dropped down to the Under-21s in search of game time.

The centre-back earned his first two senior caps for the Azzurri back in June.

He was an unused substitute in ‘s 2-0 defeat to last week, before failing to make the bench in the 4-1 triumph over .

Ahanor, 18, has now dropped out of the squad entirely for tonight’s clash with at the Stade de France.

Instead, he could feature for Italy’s Under-21s against on Monday night.

The match is an Under-21s Euros qualifier – with the Azzurri trailing their opponents by three points going into the contest.

Chelsea confirmed on deadline day that they’d sealed a £40million deal to bring Ahanor in next summer.

He subsequently moved to , technically on loan from Atalanta, rather than Chelsea.

Italy Portrait Session
Ahanor so far has two Azzurri caps Credit: Getty

Premier League rules dictate that its clubs may only loan each other one player per season.

With having already gone to Selhurst Park on loan from Stamford Bridge, Ahanor would , had his Chelsea switch already gone through.

Ahanor made his Premier League debut in Palace’s last month.

He has also played in European and League Cup games for the Eagles.

Crystal Palace FC v KKS Lech Poznan - UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1, London, United Kingdom - 17 Sep 2026
Ahanor made his Crystal Palace debut last month Credit: Shutterstock Editorial