Calcio Mercato
Posted by SEMARANG HITAM PUTIH on 19.32
Toni advises Juventus to sign Destro instead of Jovetic
Luca Toni has praised Juventus' signing of Lucio on a free transfer, while also advising the reigning Serie A champions to move for Mattia Destro rather than Stevan Jovetic.
With the Old Lady publicly on the lookout for a new striker and having been linked with the striking duo in recent weeks, the veteran forward gave his own opinion on the matter, along with the capture of the Brazilian defender, in an interview with Tuttosport.
Toni believes that while Jovetic will one day become a great player, the Siena forward's tendency to play as more of an out-of-out attacker, compared to the Montenegrin, means he would be better suited to the Old Lady's needs.
"Lucio is a professional, physically monstrous. And now I feel less 'crazy'. Mourinho's care did him good. He is a bargain," he told the publication.
"Jovetic is strong and will become a champion, but he is not a striker. Destro is young, has good quality and is Italian, and with the right mentality.
"I met him at Genoa, and I am sure that the future will be his. Our executives should look for more Italians."
Toni, himself, is fresh from the termination of his contract with Al Nasr, and is rumoured to be on the verge of signing a deal with La Liga side Malaga ahead of the new season.
With the Old Lady publicly on the lookout for a new striker and having been linked with the striking duo in recent weeks, the veteran forward gave his own opinion on the matter, along with the capture of the Brazilian defender, in an interview with Tuttosport.
Toni believes that while Jovetic will one day become a great player, the Siena forward's tendency to play as more of an out-of-out attacker, compared to the Montenegrin, means he would be better suited to the Old Lady's needs.
"Lucio is a professional, physically monstrous. And now I feel less 'crazy'. Mourinho's care did him good. He is a bargain," he told the publication.
"Jovetic is strong and will become a champion, but he is not a striker. Destro is young, has good quality and is Italian, and with the right mentality.
"I met him at Genoa, and I am sure that the future will be his. Our executives should look for more Italians."
Toni, himself, is fresh from the termination of his contract with Al Nasr, and is rumoured to be on the verge of signing a deal with La Liga side Malaga ahead of the new season.
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Juventus determined to hold on to Pepe
The versatile forward has been linked with a move away from the Serie A champions, but the Old Lady are determined to hold on to the winger
Juventus have no intention to sell Simone Pepe ahead of the 2012-13 campaign, Goal.com can reveal.
The 28-year-old winger's future at the Serie A champions was in doubt following the arrival of Mauricio Isla from Udinese, and a number of reports suggested that Juventus were ready to cash in on Pepe.
Nevertheless, head coach Antonio Conte still sees the attacking midfielder as an integral part of his first team, and is determined to hold on to the Italy international.
Zenit St Petersburg have long been linked with a move for Pepe, and recently made yet another inquiry about the attacker's availability. A summer move can all but be ruled, though, following Conte's insistence on keeping the versatile player at the club.
Pepe joined Juventus from Udinese in the summer of 2010, and has since become an important first-team member for the Turin side. He has made 56 Serie A appearances for Juve, scoring nine goals in the process.
His current contract with the Italian champions runs until the summer of 2015.
Juventus have no intention to sell Simone Pepe ahead of the 2012-13 campaign, Goal.com can reveal.
The 28-year-old winger's future at the Serie A champions was in doubt following the arrival of Mauricio Isla from Udinese, and a number of reports suggested that Juventus were ready to cash in on Pepe.
Nevertheless, head coach Antonio Conte still sees the attacking midfielder as an integral part of his first team, and is determined to hold on to the Italy international.
Zenit St Petersburg have long been linked with a move for Pepe, and recently made yet another inquiry about the attacker's availability. A summer move can all but be ruled, though, following Conte's insistence on keeping the versatile player at the club.
Pepe joined Juventus from Udinese in the summer of 2010, and has since become an important first-team member for the Turin side. He has made 56 Serie A appearances for Juve, scoring nine goals in the process.
His current contract with the Italian champions runs until the summer of 2015.
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Asamoah: “My time to shine”
Kwadwo Asamoah has expressed his excitement at beginning a new chapter of his career with the reigning champions of Italy.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who joined team-mate Mauricio Isla in swapping the black and white stripes of Udinese for those of Juventus, believes the time has come for him to shine on a greater stage.
“It’s an important step for me,” he told reporters at the club’s pre-season base in Val d’Aosta. “I’m playing for a top team and I’ll give my all to help out my team-mates. I had a great experience with Udinese and, after a few struggles in the first year, I managed to settle in and become an important player. But I’ll have to do even more now I’m at Juventus.”
Asamoah identified two new team-mates who particularly impressed him throughout the Bianconeri’s charge to Scudetto success.
“Vidal is an extremely strong player. I watched many games last year and I’ve always liked him. I also admire Pirlo. Throughout his long career he’s always managed to play at the highest levels.”
And despite facing stiff competition for a first-team berth in midfield, the Ghanaian international remains unfazed by the challenge.
“Football isn’t just about one person, it’s about the team as a whole. Even if I’m on the bench it won’t be a problem. As I’ve said, I’m here to help the team.
“I was fine at Udinese but when the opportunity arose to sign for Juventus, the champions and one of the most important teams in the world, I accepted immediately.”
Kwadwo Asamoah has expressed his excitement at beginning a new chapter of his career with the reigning champions of Italy.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who joined team-mate Mauricio Isla in swapping the black and white stripes of Udinese for those of Juventus, believes the time has come for him to shine on a greater stage.
“It’s an important step for me,” he told reporters at the club’s pre-season base in Val d’Aosta. “I’m playing for a top team and I’ll give my all to help out my team-mates. I had a great experience with Udinese and, after a few struggles in the first year, I managed to settle in and become an important player. But I’ll have to do even more now I’m at Juventus.”
Asamoah identified two new team-mates who particularly impressed him throughout the Bianconeri’s charge to Scudetto success.
“Vidal is an extremely strong player. I watched many games last year and I’ve always liked him. I also admire Pirlo. Throughout his long career he’s always managed to play at the highest levels.”
And despite facing stiff competition for a first-team berth in midfield, the Ghanaian international remains unfazed by the challenge.
“Football isn’t just about one person, it’s about the team as a whole. Even if I’m on the bench it won’t be a problem. As I’ve said, I’m here to help the team.
“I was fine at Udinese but when the opportunity arose to sign for Juventus, the champions and one of the most important teams in the world, I accepted immediately.”
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