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Juventus Transfer : Making Sense Of The Lucio Deal

The transfer of Lucio to Juventus has come out of the blues somewhat. The World Cup winner’s contract with Inter was set to end but Juventus was rarely linked with him in transfer rumours. Giuseppe Marotta moved quickly in securing his signature, fighting off competition from Malaga, reportedly. Juventus had been linked with a couple of central defenders by numerous media outlets in last couple of weeks, one was Inter’s Andrea Rannochia and other, quite sensationally, was Borussia Dortmund stalwart Matts Hummels. Signing Lucio after these names seems underwhelming to say the least but it makes sense in some ways. TheHardTackle takes a look at pros and cons of this deal.

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Pros : Lucio’s Experience will be valuable in Champions League Campaign of Juventus

The term “has won every thing that can be won” is used far too generously these days but Lucio is one of the players who can lay claim to this title. The Brazilian has won league titles with both Inter and Bayern Munich. Further, he has won the World Cup as well as Confederation Cup with Brazil. He was one of the few players to have played every single minute of Los Selecao’s triumphant campaign in 2002.
His experience will be the greatest addition to the current Juventus defence. None of the defenders in the current Juventus team has a lot of experience in Champions League. Lucio on the other hand, has played the tournament with three clubs, reached the final with Bayer Levekusen (where he scored a goal) and won the title with Inter. His experience in playing at top level will be invaluable for the current Juventus team.
Another positive is obviously him being a free agent. Juventus is getting him for a reported salary of 2.3 million Euros per year (plus bonus). The present Juventus team needed a an in-depth signing to cope with multiple tournaments next season. With Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini forming the best defence in Serie A, it is quite clear that they will form the core of Juve defence for years to come. With signing of Mauricio Isla, Martin Caceres is not likely to be used as a right-back and can slot as a central defender as well. What Juve needed was a player with experience who will bolster the bench and Lucio ticks most of those checkboxes. The Bianconeri needs to spend on a quality striker, rather than spending on defenders and this signing will help the club achieve that.
Lucio is unlikely to be a starter but he can still do a competent job against lower table and mid-table teams in Serie A. Last year, Andrea Barzagli barely got rest in Serie A while Conte was fortunate that Chiellini or Bonucci didn’t suffer any long term injuries. With European football coming up, these three will need rest and Lucio can stand in a solid back-up. Despite being 34, Lucio has been relatively injury free and collected 49 games for Inter last season. On an average, Lucio has played over 40 games per year for last eight seasons, peaking at 50 in 2010/11 season. So fitness is obviously not a concern.
The Brazilian defender is also the type of player which suits Conte’s system. He was always good with the ball at his feet and was a decent passer. Therefore, he might not take a long time to adjust to Conte’s tactics. His passing stats from last season are pretty encouraging – 1048 successful passes out of 1291 attempted.

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Cons : His recent form has been poor 

First things first, the biggest con about Lucio is hardly football related. A lot of Juventus fans may not warm up to the idea of a player who was prominent during their most hated rival, Inter’s treble season donning the black and white jersey. However, it must be remembered that inter-rival transfer in Serie A is pretty common and a number of Juventus legends like Edgar Davids have played for Inter as well.
The biggest concern regarding Lucio will be his recent form. He was a regular starter for Inter last season and their campaign was characterized by chaotic defending which saw the Nerazzuri concede massive 55 goals in 38 matches. During his peak years, Lucio often relied on his physical stature to intimidate opponent strikers, something he has failed to do in recent matches. Never the fastest defender, Lucio’s lack of pace can make him a liability for a Juventus side which often plays a high back-line. Last season, strikers dribbled past Lucio successfully at least once in every match. He was always prone to occasional lapse of concentration and errors and it will only get worse as he gets older.
Lucio’s signing might also mean further denting of Frederik Sorensen’s Juventus career. The Danish youngster impressed most fans during his first stint at the club under Gigi Delneri. Last season he was loaned out to Bologna where he barely got any match time. He was not part of Juventus’ plans for this season even before the signing of Lucio but it remains to be seen if he is brought back next season, since Lucio has a two year deal.
It will be interesting to see how Lucio reacts when he is relegated to the bench in Juventus. The Brazilian has been an undisputed starter for both club and country for most of his career and now he finds himself low in the pecking order. Conte’s success with Juventus was based on an unshakable team spirit and he can ill afford a senior player hampering dressing room atmosphere.
It will be too much to expect Conte to revive Lucio’s career like he did with Andrea Pirlo. Lucio’s signing is hardly a remarkable addition to the Juventus roster but depth signings are rarely remarkable. If he stays fit and remains content with a fringe role then the Brazilian will be a cheap but solid addition to the squad.

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Cavani wants to stay, but…

Edinson Cavani has revealed his desire to stay at Napoli, but concedes that the club will have to seriously consider a big-money offer for his services.

The Uruguayan striker has attracted attention from Manchester City and Juventus and his hefty market value hasn’t put them off. His immediate wish is to remain with Napoli, though.

“My future is to stay in Naples, where I’m very happy,” he declared.

“But if Napoli receive an offer for me that is convincing, the President will surely consider it. He negotiates well and is a good businessman.”

Cavani, who is set to represent Uruguay at the upcoming Olympic Games, has scored 33 goals in each of the last two seasons.

Napoli have already sold Ezequiel Lavezzi to Paris-Saint Germain so would be loathe to sell their other top star unless an enormous bid arrives from Manchester or Turin.

 

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Juventus sign Nicola Leali from Brescia

The 19-year-old goalkeeper has signed a five-year deal with the Serie A champions, a move he describes as "a dream come true"

Juventus have completed the signing of goalkeeper Nicola Leali from Serie B side Brescia.

The 19-year-old has signed a five-year deal, which expires in 2017, and becomes the club's third signing of the summer window.

“It’s a dream come true,” Leali told the club's official website. “Joining such a prestigious club at my age is extremely gratifying and a great motivation to keep developing further.

"Being part of the same club as a champion like Gigi Buffon is hugely satisfying, but it also makes me realise how much I’ll have to work for the opportunity to repay the trust placed in me.”

Leali made his debut last season at the age of 18, after Matteo Sereni cancelled his contract with Brescia following their relegation.

The young shot-stopper went on to make 17 appearances in all competitions

 

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Juventus switch attentions to Balzaretti

The left-back starred for Italy during their run to the Euro 2012 final, and could now be in line for a return to the Old Lady after they cooled their interest in Federico Peluso

Juventus have made Federico Balzaretti their primary transfer target after stepping up their pursuit of a new left-sided defender to compliment Paolo De Ceglie, Goal.com understands.

The Old Lady had originally pinpointed Atalanta's Federico Peluso as their chief full-back target, but have had their heads turned by Balzaretti's fine displays for Italy at Euro 2012.

Management at the Juventus Stadium have also changed their criteria for a prospective left-back arrival, as they now want a player who already has international experience.

Balzaretti is a former Juventus player, having made 57 appearances for the Bianconeri between 2005 and 2007, helping the side back into Serie A, before departing for Fiorentina and eventually joining current club Palermo.

Last summer, Rosanero president Maurizio Zamparini claimed Paris Saint-Germain had struck a deal to sign the Italy international at the end of the 2011-12 campaign, while AC Milan have been also mooted as suitors.

However, a transfer to Parc des Princes never materialised, with PSG instead signing Barcelona man Maxwell in January, and that, coupled with Milan's depleted transfer budget, has allowed Juve to step in.

If Balzaretti does not arrive, then another potential left-sided target is Boca Juniors starlet Juan Sanchez Mino.

The 22-year-old would cost around €5.5 million, but is viewed as a gamble, while he is also deemed too similar to current option De Ceglie.

Nonetheless, despite being Argentine, he is of Spanish origin, meaning receiving EU citizenship should prove to be a formality.

Finally, the future of Marcelo Estigarribia currently looks uncertain. The Paraguayan winger, 24, featured only sparsely for the Old Lady last season following his loan switch from Le Mans.

Originally tipped to stay in Turin on a permanent basis, he has been increasingly linked with a move away, most likely as bargaining chip for a bigger transfer.

Udinese are currently favourites to sign Estigarribia, with Francesco Guidolin understood to be a big fan of the international, and have already enquired about the possibility of signing him.

 

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Transfer Rumours: Liverpool Striker Luis Suarez To Leave Anfield For Juventus

After a season of controversy, Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez could be leaving Anfield. Juventus have shown great interest in the 25 year old, But the new Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is confident Suarez will stay according to the Daily Star.

When asked about Suarez, Rodgers responded; " I've had a great chat with Luis, He's looking forward to being here."

"We are obviously hoping that we can get him on to a new contract. But he's really looking forward to the new season."

Juventus aren't the only club showing interest in Suarez though, French giants Paris St. Germain have also been watching the Uruguayan's progress closely and have been rumoured to possibly want to make an offer for Suarez.

Luis Suarez scored 11 league goals for Liverpool in there last Premier League campaign which saw them finish 8th in the table, Brendan Rodgers will be looking to improve massively on a disappointing season.

 

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Verratti: Saya Ingin Bermain Bersama Pirlo

        Kabar baik nampaknya sedikit berhembus kepada kubu Juventus. Kabarnya pemain muda incaran mereka, Marco Verratti dikabarkan ingin bermain bersama Andrea Pirlo.

Si Nyonya Tua memang merupakan klub yang paling santer dikabarkan mendekati pemain Pescara tersebut. Akan tetapi, pihak klub sendiri nampaknya masih sulit untuk melepas pemain mudanya itu.

Di tengah sulitnya pembicaraan tersebut, pemain berusia 19 tahun ini mengungkapkan bahwa dirinya ingin bermain bersama Pirlo. Ia menyatakan bahwa pemain yang memiliki tendangan bebas mematikan ini merupakan idolanya. Sebelumnya ia sangat mengidolakan legenda hidup sekaligus kapten Juve, Alessandro Del Piero.

"Alessandro Del Piero adalah idola saya, kini saya sangat mengidolakan Pirlo," ungkap Verratti kepada La Stampa.

"Akankah saya bisa sepertinya? Pirlo sangat sulit untuk ditiru, ia adalah pemain yang unik dan tidak dapat dibuat kembali."

"Saya berharap suatu hari nanti saya akan bisa bermain bersamanya karena ia adalah orang yang bisa mengajarkan saya banyak hal. Saat ini, saya hanya merasa tersanjung karena saya dihubungkan dengannya."

Apakah ini merupakan tanda bahwa Verratti akan segera ke Juventus?