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Q&A: Max Statman writers taking a look back at Juventus’ 2021/22 season

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Max Statman’s trio of writers, Max Aimé-Thierry (@maxaimethierry), Muhammad Shakeel (@muhammad_9191) and Jurre van Wanrooij (@WanrooijJurre), shared their opinions regarding Juventus’ 2021/22 season. The three main talking points were: Max Allegri and his first season back as a Juventus coach, the performance of Juve’s players and speculations about certain deals and the Old Lady’s future.

1) Massimiliano Allegri.

How did Max Allegri do in his first season back as a Juventus coach, in your opinion?

@maxaimethierry: “Not good enough, but also not bad.

Cristiano’s late departure was really so hard to replace. Personally, I blame him for losing against Inter in two finals but his performance in the Serie A isn’t bad considering the situation we faced after Cristiano’s departure. Serie A’s first leg matches weren’t easy for Juventus. I still believe we would have done better if Cristiano had stayed, but Moise Kean’s addition wasn’t enough for our attack. It was tough.

In the second leg after adding some players, it was great. I think we did well since we were even close to bringing ourselves back in the title race after losing hope. Apart from the games against Inter, I think we improved in the second leg of the season which gives me hope for the upcoming season. It didn’t go worse than I expected.”

Do you believe Allegri can turn the team around in the long run and achieve the goals, trophies and level of competitiveness that club such as Juventus should be achieving regularly?

@WanrooijJurre: “To be completely honest, I don’t know. Based on what we’ve seen this season, no. The results were okay, but Juventus played awful football. Also, they couldn’t seem to win any big game. It seems like Allegri lost his touch. The reason I don’t fully write him off, is because he inherited a squad not built to play his kind of football. This season, after a transfer window where Juve can get the right players for Allegri’s playstyle, we can judge Allegri fairly.”

Would you change the coach (theoretically speaking, = no contracts/money issues attached) if you were on the board of Juve?

@maxaimethierry: “Right now, No. I believe we had a terrible season because of Cristiano’s late departure. If Allegri manages to add some experienced players – as he wishes – we’ll be back to our level next season in the league.

I see Juventus winning the league next season if we manage to have a great summer in terms of signing players. Losing Cristiano without being able to replace him, and having Chiesa injured, it can’t be easy for any manager. I still believe in Allegri.”

2) Performance.

Based on the players that you think were underperforming, what areas would you bolster in the Juventus squad as we are approaching the summer Mercato?

@muhammad_9191: “Everyone in the squad underperformed except Locatelli, in my opinion. I expected more from De Ligt, Dybala, Morata and even Vlahovic when he came, but the management cannot replace everyone, of course, but they need to bring in more than half of a dozen new players. The position I’m looking at is the midfield: I think they need both a new mezzalla and regista. Arthur and one of Rabiot/McKennie should go as well as both the full backs: Sandro is past his best and I don’t rate Danilo at all, Juventus need someone better going forward at the full back positions. Also, Chiellini replacement, I remember Chiellini saying Gatti will replace him but that is too big of a risk, we can’t have a player from Serie B as a third choice centre back at a club like Juventus especially when one of the starters is heading towards the end of his career, then we look towards the forwards, except Chiesa and Vlahovic, I don’t think anyone will be here next season from this current squad. There need to be at least three new attacking reinforcements: a right winger, back up for Vlahovic and a left winger as well. This would mean Juventus need to bring 8 new players in.”

3) Deals and future chances.

Whereas Juventus fell short in the trophy run this year, we can only expect the club to be aiming for trophies the following year. Are you convinced enough with the coach, players, plan, etc., to already predict any silverware for Juventus in 2023? Why?/Why not?

@WanrooijJurre: “With the current players that seem to join (Pogba and Di Maria), yes. I think, if Juventus are able to strengthen the squad in the right positions, fitting Allegri’s playstyle, the Bianconeri will fight for the Scudetto. We mustn’t forget that Juventus played a Coppa final this season too. Inter and Milan aren’t invincible and will lose some players too. That’s why I think Juventus will at least compete for silverware. The only thing that worries me, like I said before, is Juve’s ability to win big games.”

In January, we saw Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur leaving the Old Lady to join Tottenham. This occasion happens to be a talking point now that both the players are performing really well. What is your opinion on the whole operation of offloading the duo? How did it, in your view, affect Juventus’ run in the end?

@muhammad_9191: “The decision to offload Bentancur and Kulusevski was the right one, sometimes players just don’t fit in well, Juventus can’t be thinking they made a mistake by selling them because if they were here right now, they would be the same old frustrating players. The pace of Premier league helps the duo, especially Bentancur, who wants to play the game at a million miles an hour, back and forth. On Kulusevski, I think Conte has made him a huge favour. Since day one, he’s played in 1 position which was not the case at Juventus, Here, he was being used as a second striker, a no.10, a left winger and Pirlo or Allegri never figured out what his best position was. Conte has been clear on that since day. The deals proved to be good ones for all parties- the players benefited, the Spurs’ squad improved massively and Juventus got rid of two under-performing players.”

Huge thanks to this episode’s interviewed “MS” writers, for dedicating their time to answer my questions. Make sure to follow them and follow us here at Max Statman to stay in touch with similar Q&As in the future.

– @AntoStatman via @emaxstatman

Exclusives

Exclusive interview with Mirko Di Natale on Milinković-Savić saga, Chiesa and Vlahovic future — incomings, departures and more

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In an exclusive interview with Mirko Di Natale, a prominent journalist at Tuttojuve, we had the opportunity to delve into the pressing questions surrounding Juventus.

With the transfer market in full swing, fans are eagerly seeking updates on various players and potential targets.

From the potential involvement of Nicolo Rovella in the Milinković-Savić deal to the uncertain futures of Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa, there is much to discuss.

Additionally, the absence of Parisi from Juventus’ radar and the chances of Nicolo Zaniolo joining the club this summer have also piqued curiosity.

Furthermore, the situations of McKennie, Zakaria, and Arthur, who are reportedly likely to leave, are of great interest.

Lastly, the futures of Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Cambiaso, and Kenan Yildiz at Juventus are subjects that demand attention.

Let’s delve into these questions and gain insights from Mirko Di Natale, a trusted source in the world of Juventus reporting.

1. Milinković-Savić is a hot topic at the moment, my concern is if Nicolo Rovella is involved in the deal. What’s the actual situation for this saga?

“Milinkovic-Savic is a player that Juve will always like. And he’s one of Allegri’s dreams. I’m working to understand if there will be a meeting next week with Lazio to talk about him. What I can say for sure is that Juventus have already had an agreement with their agent for some time now.”

2. Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa future remains uncertain, what’s the plan for them?

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“Chiesa and Vlahovic weren’t happy with last season. There are many rumors around them, but neither of them – today – officially communicated to the club their intention to leave Juventus. For Juventus, they are two very important players, but if both or one of them ask to leave and there’s a big offer, then negotiations can start. On the contrary, they’ll stay in Torino.”

3. Juventus are missing out on Parisi and what are other Juventus targets this transfer market?

“Parisi is on standby, Juve spoke about him with Empoli but there have been no more meetings. Juventus are still on Parisi, the answer is yes. But many clubs want Parisi, not just Juve. Juventus are thinking about transfers, then they will think about signings.”

4. Nicolo Zaniolo is still a Juventus target? What’s the chances for him arriving this summer?

“Zaniolo, as he himself said, would like to go to Juventus. There are no negotiations with Galatasaray, there has been some contact to talk about other players as well.”

5. What’s the current situation on McKennie, Zakaria and Arthur who have reportedly likely to leave?

“The situation is very clear, they are three players who are no longer part of Juventus’ plans. Zakaria is very close to West Ham, there is optimism to close this deal well. Many clubs like McKennie, but so does Arthur there are no negotiations yet. With one difference: some good offers may come for McKennie, for Arthur it will be more difficult for me. Pastorello will have to do a great job.”

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6. Then finally, what about Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Cambiaso and Kenan Yildiz future at Juventus?

“Bonucci wants to stay at Juve, but he earns a lot. I’m following the possibility of his possible farewell, but nothing concrete yet today. Cambiaso will start retiring, there are some requests from him for a loan (Bologna). Juve will evaluate his situation in the coming weeks. Yildiz will remain, he is non-transferable.”

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Exclusive interview with Fabiana Della Valle on Juventus punishments, Vlahovic’s future, Rabiot and Di Maria latest plus more

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Max Statman and Forza Juventus’s Max Aimé-Thierry sit down with La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Fabiana Della Valle, one of the most reliable journalists when it comes to Juventus, to talk about the Bianconeri.

Fabiana Della Valle said that Juventus are confident that the penalty of 15 points will be removed, and confirmed that Dusan Vlahovic is among the players who could leave Juventus in the summer if it doesn’t make the top four in Serie A.

She also said that it’s too early to talk about Massimiliano Allegri’s future, while Juventus hope to sell Denins Zakaria next summer, plus more as found below:

What do you think of Juventus’ punishment? Your personal opinion.

I am amazed that such a strong sanction has been reached and I am curious to read the reasons. In general, I think it would be fairer to punish the club with fines and bans on managers without penalizing the players and fans.

What are the sensations within Juventus after the club’s punishment?

There is the conviction of having suffered an injustice but also the confidence of being able to overturn the sentence.

Something about Allegri’s future after reports of possible contract terminations or renewals?

I think it’s too early to talk about it. He’s solid right now, but a lot will depend on how the Juventus season ends.

Which big names do you think could leave Juventus in the summer, especially if they fail to make the top four?

Rabiot for sure, which is expiring, Cuadrado and Alex Sandro will not renew. Without Champions Dusan Vlahovic could be tempted by the Premier.

Latest updates on Adrien Rabiot’s contract extension and other possible departures..

It will be hard to keep him, especially now. Juve may have a chance if there are no big offers for him. I believe that Di Maria will return to Argentina at the end of the season and that Paredes will not be redeemed.

Will Arek Milik be a regular Juventus player in the summer?

In his case, the redemption is a bargain (€7 million) and I think Juventus will keep him, also because they are doing very well.

Denis Zakaria had some good performances at Chelsea. What are the chances that they will trigger the release clause?

The possibilities are there and Juventus are hoping for it because a sale will be inevitable in June.

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No contact between Juventus and Luis Enrique

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There’s no contact between Juventus and coach Luis Enrique, Max Statman was told by transfer expert Nicolò Schira. The Spanish coach left his position at the Spanish National Team this morning after a disappointing World Cup exit against Morocco.

Massimiliano Allegri’s return to Juventus hasn’t been a big success yet. The Bianconeri started the season poorly and even crashed out of the Champions League in a group with PSG, Benfica and Maccabi Haifa. Before the World Cup break, Juventus climbed the league table and managed to secure 3rd place after a run of good results. Still, Allegri’ spot wasn’t the most secure one in the world.

Many Juventus supporters opted for replacing the Italian coach with Luis Enrique. The ex-Barcelona coach announced that he would be leaving the Spanish National Team on Thursday morning, but there’s no signs of Enrique joining Juventus, Nicolò Schira said. According to him, Enrique is in contact with Atletico Madrid to become Diego Simeone’s successor.

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