Juventus 2012/2013 season was a relatively successful one for them, securing their second consecutive Serie A championship and finishing runner up in the Coppa Italia, with an underwhelming campaign in Europe being the only real disappointment. This year with the goal of strengthening their position in Europe's elite clubs, Juventus have invested in the areas they have deemed to be lacking. I have a look at how well the new signings will fit into Antonio Conte's system as well as looking at the players that are expendable at Juventus FC.
New Signings:
Simone Zaza, Aged 23, previous clubs (Sampdoria, Ascoli):
- Photo Courtesy - sportinfo.co.rs
A relative unknown, Zaza is a former Sampdoria youth graduate that spent last season out on loan to Serie B side Ascoli due to the lone striker role belonging to (now Internazionale) starlet Mauro Icardi. Zaza managed to net an impressive 18 goals in 35 appearances that did not go unnoticed and was soon acquired by Juventus for a fee of 3.5 million euros before immediately selling 50% of his rights to recently promoted side Sassaolo for 2 million euros, where he will spend the current season. An interesting player where time will tell how he develop, however at aged 23, there is younger and better prospects out on the market and within Juventus youth academy.
Angelo Ogbonna, Aged 25, previous clubs (Torino, Crotone)
- Photo Courtesy - juventus.com
Here is a international player you might of wondered who he played for. The answer? Juventus bitter local rivals Torino. Representing the national team is an achievement for any player, to do so in the second tier of your country is even more impressive and speaks volumes about his ability. A natural left footer, Angelo has come on leaps and bounds under Ventura's tenure at Torino, establishing himself as one of the finest centre backs in the country. A sure contender for challenging if not taking fellow international teammate Leonardo Bonucci's role in the three man vanguard. Juventus paid a hefty 13 million euros for his services, perhaps a little pricey given Antonio Conte's fondness for squad rotation. Angelo has two outcomes to his Juventus career:
1. He becomes a valuable asset to the first eleven and develops into Chiellini's successor (or challenger to his spot)
or
2. He becomes a very a expensive squad player
1. He becomes a valuable asset to the first eleven and develops into Chiellini's successor (or challenger to his spot)
or
2. He becomes a very a expensive squad player
Fernando Llorente, Aged 28, previous clubs (Athletic Bilbao)
- Photo Courtesy - soydelaroja.com
An Athletic Bilbao regular since 2004 (and before that playing for their reserve, youth and feeder clubs, he also helped the club reach the 2011 - 2012 Europa League final) and semi-regular for the Spanish national team since 2008, Fernando Llorente was brought to Juventus to strengthen their attack. After nearly a one-in-three goals to games ratio, Llorente is a proven goal scorer, a fact made more impressive with the lack of quality service an elite European club would provide.
Despite a rather personal underwhelming season (five goals in thirty-six official matches) and playing second fiddle to Artiz Aduriz, Llorente arrives without the burden of a price tag looming over him. His proven ability will help supplement or spearhead the attack when needed and is much an improvement over Nicklas Bendtnar and Nicholas Anelka of last season
Carlos Tevez, Aged 29 , previous clubs (Manchester City, Manchester United, Boca Juniors)
- Photo courtesy - apurogol.net
Little to no introduction should be needed for Carlos Tevez, a Champions League winner, Olympic gold medallist and with 62 international caps to his name, he is hardly an unknown talent.
After successful stints at every club he is played in, also showing his ability to adapt to different cultures, conquering England with both Manchester clubs after notable periods in Brazil and his native Argentina. Signed for £10 million with £2 million add on's, Tevez is easily the most expensive acquisition by Juventus. (Manchester City are thought to save £27 million by offloading him) and with his recent controversy and reported attitude problems, many are a bit hesitant and reluctant to accept him. A matter not helped by him inheriting Alessandro Del Piero's legendary number 10 shirt. At age 29 and with Tevez himself stating he would like to return to Argentina in the next few years, some will also have doubts about his commitment to the club. If he is fit (and if he enjoys a healthy relationship with Conte) he is a world-class player and top finisher, who is more than capable of delivering more success to Juventus.
Five expendable players:
Paolo De Ceglie, Aged 26, previous clubs (Siena)
- Photo Courtesy - vavel.com
Paolo De Ceglie is a product of the youth academy, Paolo first burst onto the scene during the 2006/2007 season during Juventus' brief stint in Serie B. A technically gifted youngster and skilled in the acceleration department, he initially had a promising career ahead of him. Fast forward six years however and after a lengthy spell on the operating table due to a knee ligament injury sustained during a league fixture against rivals AC Milan resulting in a massive dip in form, Paolo found himself used as a rotation player during the scudetto winning season of 2011/2012, usually behind Kwadwo Asamoah and Emanuel Giaccherini in the left back position. With Federico Peluso being deployed on the flanks at his expense, De Ceglie is very much expendable and despite being a loyal Juventino, it makes sense for him to be taken off the wage bill and reinvested into a more consistent and injury free squad player.
Marco Motta, Aged 27, previous clubs (Udinese, Roma, Atalanta)
- Photo courtesy - Catania.theoffside.com
Marco Motta was brought in by manager Luigi Del Neri during the 2010/2011 season due to the expiration of Martin Caceres loan from Barcelona and the departure of veteran Jonathan Zebina. Originally thought as the long term successor to the aging Zdnek Grygera, a string of poor performances failed to justify his price tag of 4 million euros. Not be content on the bench (or stands), Motta has been loaned out to several different club including a hugely disappointing spell at Cesena. After failing to find a new club and having not played for the Old Lady since 2010/2011, Juventus would likely accept any offer the receive and will under no circumstances offer any extensions to his stay in Turin.
Reto Ziegler, Aged 27 , previous clubs (Sampdoria, Tottenham Hotspur)
- Photo Courtesy - football365.com
Signed a pre-contract under Luigi Del Neri during the January transfer window of 2010/2011 and joining the 2011/2012 season under Antonio Conte. Ziegler was instantly loaned out to Fenerbache due to being in Contes plans, he has since had loan spells at Locomotive Moscow and again at Fenerbache. Still not in Conte's plans and having not made a single competetive appearance to date, Ziegler is an obvious choice for the exit door. It would wise to offload him while he still has value and to free up the wage bill
Sebastian Giovinco, Aged 26, previous clubs (Empoli, Parma [both loan spells])
- Photo Courtesy - bleacherreport.net
Sebastian Giovinco is a product of the Juventus youth academy, first bursting on the scene with fellow youth graduates Claudio Marchiso and Paolo De Ceglie during the 2006/2007 season in Serie B. Giovinco showed raw potential coming on as a substitute for Pavel Nedved and Alessandro Del Piero, even assisting David Trezeuguet with a goal on his debut for the club. Hailed as the natural successor and heir to Del Piero's throne, Giovinco has had spells Empoli and Parma on loan due to not being predominant in coaches Claudio Ranieri and then later Ciro Ferrera.
Juventus purchased back his full contract for 7.5 million euros in 2012/2013 and much was expected of his return because of his success at Parma. However, things did not go to plan for the Italian international, with his form erratic at best and behaviour on the field controversial with him often being accused of simulation and diving. Juventus fans grew frustrated by his lack of goals despite Giovinco having the most minutes of any Juventus player in the goal box, mustering up a mere seven league goals for the eventual champions.
Despite his poor season, Giovinco still commands a high transfer fee and it would be wise to part-exchange or offload him completely to free up funds to bring in another top class player or accommodate the new signings. Due to the arrival of Carlos Tevez, who plays in a similar position as a trequartista, Giovinco will be hard pressed for game time and will also struggle to win the Juventus faithful.
Mauricio Isla, Aged 25, previous clubs (Udinese)
- Photo courtesy europacalcio.it
Mauricio Isla, full Chilean international with 38 caps to his name, arrived at the Juventus Arena in 2012/2013 from Udinese in a deal that so him and Kwadwo Asamoah arrive at the club for 18.8 million euros, however Juventus only signed 50% of his contracts right for roughly 9.4 million euros. Isla's time at the club started on the operating table where he since spent most of last season, only managing to conjure up 8 senior appearances and failing to produce the form he was on when he departed Udinese. Eyebrows were raised among the fans about why the club would pay 9.4 million for half the rights to an already injured player that would play second fiddle to Stephan Lichsteiner in the right back position.
It would be wise to cash in or get rid of the 50% of his rights completely due to Simone Padoin being able to play in all the positions that Isla can and is arguably better. Because he is on a high wage and the difficulty of his contract situation, it was best for all parties if he left and found a permanent club to play for.
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