ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Juventus FC

Posted by Sumeet Paul on 09/01/2011

The ideal scenario for most coaches across Europe is to have all the new additions to the squad present at the start of the summer. This allows for a full pre-season with their new team-mates and a chance to settle at the club ahead of what will undoubtedly be one of the most important years in their football life. Sensible approach or not, where’s the fun in that? What would a transfer window be without the traditional rushing through of paperwork in the last minute of deadline day? Welcome to mercato madness.

Admittedly, the Bianconeri tied up most of their business well ahead of the deadline. While Antonio Conte and Beppe Marotta settled into their armchairs for the evening puffing away at some cigars feeling quite content with their work, Roma, Milan & Inter to name but a few concluded their transfer markets with some last day signings. However, that hasn’t stopped some perplexed Juve fans asking the question: Having spent almost €155 million over the last two summers, has the Old Lady, more specifically Marotta, brought in the right players to finally end a torrid time for the club? It’s questionable.

Take Eljero Elia. The Dutch winger was quoted on 11 August as saying: ‘Juventus are still one of the best Italian teams around, but they're not better than Hamburg in my opinion’. Further, add to the mix constant groans of preference for a move to the Premier League and concerns over racism in the stadiums in Italy, it doesn’t sound like the former Hamburg man was too enthused about a move to Turin. Fast forward three weeks and our friend Eljero has had a change of heart: ‘I know a lot about Juventus. This is the biggest club in Italy and I hope to do well for them and score goals’.

Elia is now a Bianconero ©GettyImages

Nevertheless, the Dutchman is now a Bianconero. He joins a long list of ‘new’ arrivals this summer, with some familiar faces who spent last season on loan with the club joining on a permanent basis. The list in full is quite a sight, so I’ve spared you its entirety and focused on those who are likely to have some sort of impact this season:

Alessandro Matri
Stephan Lichtsteiner
Andrea Pirlo
Fabio Quagliarella
Michele Pazienza
Mirko Vucinic
Reto Ziegler
Marco Motta
Simone Pepe
Marcelo Estigarribia
Eljero Elia
Emanuele Giaccherini
Arturo Vidal

The dynamic duo aside, Marco Motta and Simone Pepe, on paper it looks a fairly strong mercato. The club have finally addressed certain areas that needed strengthening three or four years ago but with solid purchases rather than anything spectacular. Are these signings of a side chasing Champions League football? With just the top three clubs in Serie A entering Europe’s elite competition this season, it’s going to be difficult, is it possible? Add to this the disappointment at seeing some of the more talented youngsters in Manuel Giandonato and Cristian Pasquato being shipped out on loan to Lecce, does Marotta know what he's doing?

Unfortunately, I will have to end this blog on a sad note. Having spent all summer hoping that the BREAKING NEWS theme would deliver a particular bit of good news, it has failed to materialise. The footballer formerly known as Amauri will remain with Juve this season as he hopes to prove his worth to the club. Granted he had a great spell at Parma in the second half of last season, however I fear the reunion with a Juve shirt will ultimately see the return of the old Amauri that we know and don’t love. 33/1 to be Capocannoniere though, fancy a flutter?

If you'd like to hear more of my ramblings, you can follow me on Twitter for more Serie A & Juve news - @italiafooty

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Comments

Posted by Daniel Duncan on 09/01/2011

I must say i am most surprised @ this article but it does state the fact and somethings which i have repeatedly spoken of all summer. Juventus which means "YOUTH" has once again trod upon & disregarded the ideals for which the club was formed. The young promising talents of Manuel Giandonato and Cristian Pasquato being shipped out on loan to Lecce who in the preseason has shown their talent and worth. This an utter disgrace while the likes of Amuri,Toni,Iaquinta get another chance to disappoint us plus grace the new stadia. Sorry to say I'm dissaponited @ Conte for still including those three in the squad & disposing of young talent. If Juve wants to get back on top of Italy, players like Pasquato,Giandonato & Givinco would of made ah greater impact as they developed and grew in the club from youngsters and would of cost alot less. My message to JUVENTUS is to refocus on development through the youth, mold them to be stars they can be & reclaim Juve's prestigious honor of elite club

Posted by Nick Dalba on 09/01/2011

With all due respect, I disagree with both of you. For the last three years, the market has been overpaying for talent. Players are being valued well over previous marks without proven performance. I will address two points to counter what was said above.

The first point is the youth issue. Juventus has a good group of youth being developed presently. Loaning out two of our top youth is smart. They will accrue more 1st team playing time with Lecce than Juventus. Let them gain more experience and be better prepared for 1st team with Juve.

Secondly, I agree with Sumeet, chemistry will be the initial obstacle for the bianconeri. Yet, we have added players who fit the roles that we lacked last season. This squad fits the system that Conte is going to run. We have two attacking wingers, quality attacking options with more depth, and strengthened our porous defense from the year before. Be patient, and believe, this squad is being built for the long term. fundamentally.

Posted by Daniel Duncan on 09/01/2011

@ NICK DALBA I never said that i didn't like or feel happy with the new signing of players yes they have addressed some of the issues in defense, midfield but more needed to be done in attack. The likes of Amuri,Iaguinta & Toni should of been sold or moved on cuz they haven't made any impact for Juve ever! Regarding Giandonato & Pasquato,the style & type of football played @Lecce would differ from that of Juve. Plus if they do bring them back in they would have to be reintegrated bac into Juve style it would of been much better for their development & Juve to trim the waste from the squad and allow Giandonato & Pasquato some playing time at Juve. I see that the players brought in are of ah particular fighting,energetic,spirit but the likes of Amuri,Iaguinta & Toni lack that sort of high work rate or energy to do the work need for success @ present. Nevertheless I hope the new arrivals & the existing work well else its another horrid season.

Posted by Juve for Life on 09/04/2011

The real question here is Marotta the right person in charge? When he came into his position Diego was the first person to go and that season he was one of the top players for Juve. Last season Aquilani was arguably the most consistent and best player for Juve yet he did not retain his services, mind you no reason not to retain his services, he is a proven player in the Serie A. Also losing Giovinco is another mistake. Yes players have come in and some will improve the squad, others questionable but I still feel Marotta is not the right man... I guess after this seasons performance i may be proven wrong but if Juve aren't in the top 3 or 4 then Marotta has to be moved on. He's had plenty of opportunity and its disappointing for many of us to see Juve struggling how they have been for the past 4 or 5 years.

Posted by Manny on 09/06/2011

I too agree with most on here. Juve needs to revitalize, and get some good, young talented players. Amauri was a huge disappointment. I will give him another chance, but he will have to prove himself. Del Piero is one of the greatest, but his time is fading. I will be sad when he hangs it up, but Juve needs to rebuild! Go Juve!!!

Posted by Giorgio on 09/19/2011

A lot of negativity going on here... This juve will be strong. Not 2006 strong, but one brick at a time. forza juve!

Posted by Nunzio_Knows on 09/27/2011

Another season starts and again the blind are leading the blind at Juventus. Amauri (garbage), Toni(garbage) and Iaquinta (even worse). Juve will never achieve world stature if they continue to have players like these on the roster.
I've always said....GO TO THE ENGLISH Championship and get some young wingers that are full of piss and vinegar ,and who will bust a lung running ALL game long. You can get them on the cheap and they'll do a better job than players in their "twilight years".
The formula is simple....out with the Old and comfortable....in with the hungry lions!!!!
A lot of my neighbours agree.....
In the meantime, where can I buy a miracle? Anyone?

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