It is fair to conclude that the efforts to create a functional new team have failed this season. Massive renovation took place last Summer. Many players came in and many left as Giuntoli and Motta set about creating a fresh, young, talented squad with the hope of beginning a new cycle. Once again we were back to year ZERO of the annually repeated rebuild. Which is where we will find ourselves yet again this Summer.
Tudor has very little time to create an identity of his side inherited from the Motta debacle. At best, he can rouse the spirit, revive the hunger and belief, help the side to emerge from their long term lethargy and heave together to pull the club over the finish line into fourth to confirm CL qualification. Ideally, we then enter into the inaugural Club World Cup with a renewed sense of joy and hope. Bearing in mind entry to that new competition is based on recent achievements, I do not expect us to qualify for the next edition, all the more reason to enjoy the outing this year.
Not only will the upper management need to decide upon our first team coach for the next campaign and beyond, it seems likely that their own positions are under scrutiny and we may find significant changes at board level over the coming months. My hope is that Elkann brings in a President who can be more of a figurehead than the phantom presence of Ferrero, alongside at least another director of true football credentials.
As for Giuntoli, his role is perhaps already diminished in authority, and the SD setup could well be rejigged. A head scout of proven ability to find strong and talented players working with an overseer who carefully manages the money and works with the coach to create a balanced squad. As we used to have with Marotta and Paratici.
It is too early to delve into detail with none of those decisions yet made and likely not near made until the Serie A calendar has finalised. The same applies to any serious appraisal of major signings, because they will all be dependent on the presently unknown factors mentioned above i.e. Do we have CL football? Who is our manager? Who is our SD?
However, it does seem a fine time to discuss the current squad, to look at those who suggest potential to play a role in our future beyond the Summer.
I must mention that I hold a different opinion to many vis-a-vis our younger talents, not specifically the italians, yet mainly so. We are a club who have lost all sense of identity for many moons now. The last time I could associate any set features was when we were Ronaldo FC. Which I view also as the start of the spiral downwards into the abyss where we remain swirling.
One method for helping to recover an identity is to focus on a core of players who truly feel part of the club, rather than likely just passing through. Those who have journeyed through our youth ranks fit the bill. Having already developed an affinity with the staff, the history, the training pitches, the shirt. Yet I will also suggest that italians from other clubs may be as valuable for buying in with their heart and soul to a long term project. A dream shared by a core group determined to become another legendary Juventus side to match those of old, the likes of which not seen now for too many years.
There is also tradition, Italjuve, to consider. Wherein not only have we attracted the strongest native talents, but supplied the same to make up the backbone of La nazionale. All of this has been lost. Which is not to offer the idea that our path to success, our return to a domestic powerhouse and serious threat on the continent can only be founded on a core of italians. No. I am suggesting this is a path towards regaining our identity.
They do not need to be world class talents. Just passionate for the cause, dedicated, loyal and of indomitable spirit. So many Juve squads have had these kinds of players, who few would have considered in any top 50 players on the planet, but those who knew Juve well thought differently. They were workers, of average technical ability, whose game was raised by the handful of more gifted footballers in the squad around them. I am referring to players like Torricelli, Carrera, Di Livio, Lombardo, Dino Baggio, Conte, Pessotto, Padoin…We also had stranieri of similar mould, unlikely to produce a moment of magic every game but of solid technique and who gave their all for every second on the field in our colours e.g. Deschamps, Giaccherini, Sousa, Jugovic.
I am fully in agreement with the idea that we need some ‘star’ players. Yet we also must rein in the appalling overspending on punts in that direction which keep going horribly wrong. Let’s cut the spending. Limit to 40-50m absolute MAX. The more we spend big, the more other clubs will fleece us when we go after their players. Even now I see these rumours of Osimhen for 70m floating around. Has the club learned nothing? From Ronaldo to Dusan to Koop?
Our financial concerns offer all the more reason to focus on the players already in house. Add to them some hard working new recruits with decent technique who wont cost the moon and who will buy into a long term project. We already have a potentially high level star in the making in Yildiz. Thuram may have the potential to blossom powerfully. Cambiaso could also grow into a top drawer footballer. Yes, we will need to replace Dusan, and strikers cost money, but let us spend wisely, not repeat the 80m roll of the dice.
The club have a stated goal of developing more from within. We have seen a few youngsters rise through the ranks and given time in the first team squad. Perhaps there is now a greater focus on giving the kids a chance to prove themselves rather than earmarking the majority as a moneymaking exercise.
It is very hard to know how any player will fare unless given the chance. Just because we see a former youth product head out to another club and fail to explode does not mean that is the same trajectory their career would have taken had they stayed with Juve. Playing around better players often raises the levels of otherwise average squad members.
I look around Serie A and see Mandragora, Fagioli and Kean all in fine form in Florence. Over in Bologna Orsolini has quietly continued his strong form of the last few seasons. De Winter is maturing into a sold rearguard operator in Genoa. In the capital, Rovella remains a pivotal part of a recovered Lazio. Matias Soule, another still so young (21) is regaining rhythm under Ranieri. Are these players clearly inferior to those we have brought into the squad at likely far greater cost?
Thankfully, someone at our muddled HQ had the sense to ensure Miretti was not shipped out with a purchase clause. For he is one I am suggesting we should be earmarking as part of the side we wish to build. Still only 21, with 82 games in the top flight already in his boots, and growing steadily since Viera was parachuted in to save Genoa.
Cambiaso, already mentioned as a potential star, we must keep.
Plenty appear fine to see Mbangula(21) depart for as little as 10-15m. I hope not, for he has shown directness and an assurance in his game which impresses all the more considering the jump made from the third to the top tier of calcio just this season. Even playing a bit-part role, the young Belgian has close to averaged a goal or assist every 3 games.
Another who has made a similar jump is Savona(22), who looked sturdy for many games earlier this season. Not much of an attacking force, yet reliable at the back. Capable also of tucking in comfortably as a RCB. Given his age, there is surely further room for development.
Its unfortunate that Adzic has been plagued by injuries, yet his recent form since returning to fitness, for the Next Gen, has been very promising indeed. Alongside him with clearly enough potential to be considered is left fullback Riccardo Turicchia(22) who has earned plenty of caps for Italy at U19, U20, U121 levels.
Jonas Rouhi, the Swedish U21 international LB, has also broken into the first team this season. Arguably has shone far less bright than the others of his age group, yet for me, I saw enough to believe he is worth more opportunities.
Ideally the Nextgen side will get promoted, for to have the chance to blood players in the second tier will obviously be a more thorough barometer of their potential than battling in Serie C. Its still possible this season for Brambilla to pull us into 10th spot to secure a playoff position, though also a very tough ask and essentially out of our hands. The mess created by Montero before he was replaced left us worrying more about relegation than a promotion charge. It has proven a wonderful recovery since Brambilla returned, regardless of where they end up.
I could delve deeper, highlight briefly Alessio Vacca, of our primavera side, with his 13 goals and 5 assists, enjoying a superb season, and at 19 is showing the kind of flair and creativity all fans love to see. Why not give him chance to stake a claim in the Summer?
I believe the last round of international call-ups saw 19 of our players between the U16 to the Nextgen heading off to represent their countries.
NEXT GEN
Comenencia (Curacao), Papadopoulos (Greece Under 21), Puczka (Austria Under 21) and Turicchia (Italy Under 21).
UNDER 20
Vacca (Italy Under 20), Pagnucco (Italy Under 19), Grelaud and Keutgen (Belgium Under 18), Radu (Romania Under 18), Sosna (Czech Republic Under 18) and Verde (Italy Under 18).
UNDER 17
Barido (Argentina Under 17), Borasio (Italy Under 17), Durmisi A., Durmisi D. and Huli (Albania Under 17), Gielen (Belgium Under 17) and Savonnier (Switzerland Under 17).
UNDER 16
Elimoghale (Italy Under 17).
Of course some will falter as they face bigger, stronger, faster opponents in the men’s game. Yet many will have what it takes to carve out a career at a decent level, and we need to be giving them more opportunities to prove this in our colours. For a player risen through the ranks is more likely to feel more connected to the shirt and the club than anyone from elsewhere. They are less likely to see us merely as a stepping stone.
Impossible for me to get this deep and not mention the stunning Juve u17 side who are stampeding their league.
I am unsure if its the coach, Cioffi, the rest of the league is half asleep, or we simply have an incredibly talented squad at this level.
A goal difference of +48 after 21 games! Cioffi has created a goal machine.
Italian Alex Amadio (16) leads the goalscoring charts with 16 and 3 assists from 18 games. His strike partner Arman Durmisi, Albanian (16) has 13 goals and 3 assists from 17 games. They seem superhuman!
Some will remember Francisco Barido, the Argentine starlet we signed in February 24′ from Boca…Nicknamed ‘the new Dybala’, the kid spent last season adjusting and has found his rhythm this campaign. 7 goals and 8 assists from 13 games for Juve U17s, and now featuring for Argentina at the U17 world cup, where his side top their group presently. From what I have seen of Barido, he has incredible dribbling abilities, can create, shoot, pass players for fun. Probably the most gifted 17 year old I have seen in black and white.
Joyfully, our U16s are comparably monstrous. Suffice to say, it appears we have some superb prospects coming through the ranks. Meanwhile, I will hold firm in my hopes that the club take careful consideration of the older, more established players we already own.
We sign a 21 year old from Portugal who has played 6 games in the top flight for 15m, yet see those from our own club who have played more as solely assets to sell? This seems a wrong headed approach to building a football team. Financially and on a sporting level.
There could be a solid core of italians in the team. Cambiaso, Di Gregorio, Gatti, Locatelli, Miretti. Why not add to them in the Summer by bringing in 1 or 2 from the best of the Italy U21 side? Keeping Yildiz and Mbangula, as well as others (like Turicchia) coming through from the nextgen and youth sector beyond could help recover an identity, for they know each other and the club already. It could also save us a huge amount of money otherwise misspent.
Despite my longstanding eagerness to see players promoted from within, I am well aware that every successful squad requires established quality, leadership and players who can change a game with a moment of magic. The balance is hard to achieve though I am confident we do not need further major renovation. A decent manager and focused squad with a few additions in key areas could see us challenging domestically for top honours within a couple of seasons.
The finest Juve squads have generally been built with a clear identity, something we have long lost through the off field horror-show of financial atrophy, appalling mismanagement, legal issues, repeated bouts of terrible PR and on the field we have mirrored this ruin.
Much needs to change before we can dream of once again calling Juve a great club. We do however have the backing of an owner who cares and seeks to improve our standing as well as some talent in hand who could be used to lay firm foundations for a manager and above to finally build something worthy of the name.
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