Louis Buffon is very far from any Erling Haaland comparisons, but he’s having his career successfully managed in a very similar way.The Pisa and Czech Republic striker has similarly broken into football under his father’s shadow, but that of Italy icon Gianluigi Buffon is far bigger than Alf Inge Haaland.While Buffon Sr, right, is working for Italy alongside coach Gennaro Gattuso, his son is making his own way with the Czech RepublicGettyHowever, much like the Manchester City striker, it has quickly become all about forging his own path, which includes a surprise choice of country to represent.The 17-year-old was born in Turin during his father’s legendary spell for Juventus, but instead of representing the country of his birth and childhood, he opted for his mother’s, which was the Czech Republic.Explaining why, European football broadcaster Andy Brassell told talkSPORT: “His mum is Czech and the way he himself tells it is they had a family discussion around it. “In his words, we decided as a family, it would be best for my career if I chose the Czech Republic. “We’ve seen this with offspring of famous players in recent times…second generation stars.“Not just them, but players with famous siblings. You look at Jobe Bellingham, for example, and he has chosen not to wear Bellingham on the back of his shirt, but Jobe. “I think that creating a little bit of a distance between you and your famous relative [brother and Real Madrid star Jude] is probably quite helpful.”But as Brassell explained, there’s more in Buffon Jr’s career that will help him step away from his father.He continued: “I think you look at the fact that his dad was maybe the greatest goalkeeper of his time, but he’s a forward. “He can play wide as well, so he’s quite versatile. I think that already creates a little bit of distance.Buffon Jr is carving his own career away from the one of his famous father in the national colours of ItalyRex Features“I think in terms of developing in such an intense football environment and such an intense football culture, you completely understand it to be able to take that breath and get away.“You look at everything that the Italian national team’s going through at the moment, and when the pressure’s on, it’s really on.”Louis broke through at Pisa last season during their Serie B promotion campaign, but he’s now set to make even more of an impact, having appeared in Serie A and the Coppa Italia since promotion.He’s also been coached by some very familiar names over the past two years, and all of that is certainly raising hopes for a big career.“He has been coached by Filippo Inzaghi, but now the replacement for Inzaghi is Alberto Gilardino,” Brassell explained. “So he’s been coached by two really top centre-forwards of his dad’s generation, which is a real plus for him. “When you listen to people at the club speak, not just Gilardino, but the sporting director as well, there is a sense of, not only is Louis Buffon good enough ability-wise, but that he’s physically ready. “I think that’s really, really important because Serie A has become more high octane and more physical as the years have gone by.“I think that really matters. It really matters for a team that’s trying to adapt to the level as well.“He has already really impressed people by what he’s done in the first team. They really believe in him.“Of course, he got a hattrick for the Czech under-19s this week as well.”Buffon has been coached by Gilardino, pictured, and Filippo Inzaghi, two of the great Italian strikers from his father’s eraGettyMuch like Haaland, who rejected early advances from European giants to learn the game at Salzburg, Buffon looks set to do the same at Pisa, which is seemingly yet another wise call.“He will play more towards the end of the season,” Brassell said. “So I think if he gets anywhere near double figures in appearances, that’s really good.“He’s going to develop at his own pace, with the belief of the people around him at Pisa and with the fact that Pisa aren’t expected to stay up by a lot of people.“He gets an opportunity to develop at a more reasonable pace. But everyone there thinks he’s ready to make an impact at the top level.”While Buffon could still switch allegiances to Italy down the line having not played for the senior team, the real story could be a senior call up in time for the World Cup play-offs, where the Czech Republic could face Italy…