Didier Deschamps has come out into the open and said he wants Steven Gerrard for Juventus’ return to the top flight.
The club has been linked with the Liverpool midfielder for several years now, but the Calciopoli scandal and their subsequent demotion to Serie B delayed any serious proposal.
“In midfield we would need players who are already experienced, physically imposing and with great technique, like Patrick Vieira was for this team last season,” Deschamps told the ‘Gazzetta dello Sport’.
“If we have a chance of getting Gerrard, then I’ll personally ride to the airport on a bicycle to pick him up! I won’t risk any delays! Juventus have to aim for players like him if we want to make that leap up in quality.”
The Bianconeri are already leading the Serie B standings despite their nine-point Calciopoli penalty and are on track for immediate promotion back into the spotlight, although Deschamps warned a Scudetto push cannot be a realistic target yet.
“In order to see a great Juventus, the fans must be patient for at least another two or three years. The club is about to set out its economic plan and important investments are predicted. We will sign three of four world class players, but you cannot rebuild the side we had in the space of a year. A few youngsters will stay, others are to be loaned out to gain experience.”
The main concerns surround David Trezeguet and Gianluigi Buffon, who have both hinted they could move on at the end of the season.
“President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli said that we cannot be 100 per cent certain of keeping a player, but we all know that Gigi is a crucial element in building an even more competitive side next term. We must put in extra effort to secure him, as it’s impossible to find another goalkeeper like that,” continued Deschamps.
“Trezeguet’s future depends on his motivation and desire. He only has one year left on his contract, so it is a complex issue. We’d need a striker who can guarantee at least 20 goals per season, but there aren’t many of them around.
“Fernando Torres is too young and needs another heavyweight centre-forward to play against. Samuel Eto’o is an option, though difficult to take away from Barcelona. Claudio Pizarro of Bayern Munich is strong, but his character isn’t exactly ideal. Miroslav Klose would fit well at Juve, while Luca Toni could be a great solution. He’d make a great partner for Trezeguet.”
The Italian Press will therefore continue to report that Juventus are staging a £35m bid for the World Cup winning Fiorentina hitman, although he has reiterated there is no truth in rumours of his interest.
http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...ia/feb23q.html
The club has been linked with the Liverpool midfielder for several years now, but the Calciopoli scandal and their subsequent demotion to Serie B delayed any serious proposal.
“In midfield we would need players who are already experienced, physically imposing and with great technique, like Patrick Vieira was for this team last season,” Deschamps told the ‘Gazzetta dello Sport’.
“If we have a chance of getting Gerrard, then I’ll personally ride to the airport on a bicycle to pick him up! I won’t risk any delays! Juventus have to aim for players like him if we want to make that leap up in quality.”
The Bianconeri are already leading the Serie B standings despite their nine-point Calciopoli penalty and are on track for immediate promotion back into the spotlight, although Deschamps warned a Scudetto push cannot be a realistic target yet.
“In order to see a great Juventus, the fans must be patient for at least another two or three years. The club is about to set out its economic plan and important investments are predicted. We will sign three of four world class players, but you cannot rebuild the side we had in the space of a year. A few youngsters will stay, others are to be loaned out to gain experience.”
The main concerns surround David Trezeguet and Gianluigi Buffon, who have both hinted they could move on at the end of the season.
“President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli said that we cannot be 100 per cent certain of keeping a player, but we all know that Gigi is a crucial element in building an even more competitive side next term. We must put in extra effort to secure him, as it’s impossible to find another goalkeeper like that,” continued Deschamps.
“Trezeguet’s future depends on his motivation and desire. He only has one year left on his contract, so it is a complex issue. We’d need a striker who can guarantee at least 20 goals per season, but there aren’t many of them around.
“Fernando Torres is too young and needs another heavyweight centre-forward to play against. Samuel Eto’o is an option, though difficult to take away from Barcelona. Claudio Pizarro of Bayern Munich is strong, but his character isn’t exactly ideal. Miroslav Klose would fit well at Juve, while Luca Toni could be a great solution. He’d make a great partner for Trezeguet.”
The Italian Press will therefore continue to report that Juventus are staging a £35m bid for the World Cup winning Fiorentina hitman, although he has reiterated there is no truth in rumours of his interest.
http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...ia/feb23q.html
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