As Allegri has shown us these last few seasons, we are not married to any particular formation. We have shown tactical flexibility under his tenure going from a 3-man backline, to a 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, etc. Whereas the 4-2-3-1 worked well the year we last got to the CL Final, we didn't look good last year when utilizing that formation. I have faith that Marrotta and co. will continue to do whatever they can to bring in the best players and Allegri will do his best to utilize the tactics that best fit the personnel we have.
Looks like we're not selling anyone right now, everyone but Spinazzola and Sturaro were called up for the US tour
Juve have primarily been exposed in the 4-2-3-1 whenever their front five are too attack minded. Unless Juve are playing a team that they will utterly dominate, starting Higuain (Ronaldo), Costa, Dybala, Bernardeschi, Khedira, and Pjanic is too attacking and a big risk. None of these players are particularly strong defensively. On the other hand, a 4-2-3-1 with Ronaldo, Mandzukic, Dybala, Cuadrado, Pjanic, Can/Matuidi, won't leave Juve nearly as exposed defensively. It all depends on the personnel. Regardless though, Juve will likely go into next year with six attackers and six mids as it is. That's 12 players rotating in six spots. So unless someone is sold (on top of Higuain, Pjaca, & Sturaro), I doubt Juve can accommodate another big signing since they won't love the idea of being benched often. The differences between a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 are minimal. It depends on the personnel. The gist is the same (2 CMs & 4 attackers). That would require a pretty massive injury spell. Out of the twelve, six would need to be injured at the same time. Maybe Juve can add another promising talent that would be content playing limited minutes (after the sale of Higuain and Pjaca). It's tough to see another huge name coming unless someone else is sold.
In 2016/17, Juve's depth in midfield and attack was a huge issue as we saw in the final. Since then they have added Ronaldo (Higuain out), Costa, Bernardeschi, Can, Bentancur, and Matuidi. That's a lot of players! Juve's squad in both areas are very full. If it's true that Juve are willing to keep Rugani, then they will go into next year with 5 CBs. They have two RBs and two LBs. The only area of real need assuming none of the defenders are sold is backup left back given Spinazola's injury.
Reports from France that PSG are offering €30 million plus Adrien Rabiot for Pjanic. Juve aren't interested in the low sum, they want more since Rabiot will be out of contract in June 2019. Juve reportedly bid €30 million for Alex Telles, but Porto are insisting on his €40 million release clause.
Now that we signed Ronaldo we have to up some salaries. All the agents have sharpened their teeth now. Expect pjanic dybala and any other top performer to ask for raises or we lose them. This is also for new players we sign. It would be a shame if this management half asses yet another mercato. Either build a strong CL winning team or dont play with fire if u dont wanna go there.
I’m okay with losing Pjanic, Higuain, Sandro and Rugani. Higuain needs to go, he will be pissed when he doesn’t get starts, Cristiano and Dybala are #1 with Mario off the bench. Then we can bolster the midfield with Matuidi, Bentacur, Can, and use Costa on the wings. Pjanic has been very inconsistent. He is an excellent free kick taker but as of late he has been subpar. I’d take older Modric any-day. We have enough attacking weapons, if we could sell all those guys we might get another solid midfielder.
I think they have achieved that even after factoring in the potential sales of Higuain, Pjaca, and Sturaro. Six forwards for 3/4 starting spots. Six mids for 3/4 places. Five CBs, two LBs, two RBs, and two GKs. That's 23 quality players all competing for positions. Should anyone leave other than the three mentioned, I would expect Juve to replace them. Importantly, quality young players like Caldara, Rugani (unless sold), Bentancur, Can, and Bernardeschi will need playing time to develop. They have all shown that they have the potential to be WC in their roles.
Milan have made their first contact for Higuain, reports are that he's ok with a move there. Multiple reports that Rugani is close to leaving Juve. Juve rejected Chelsea's first offer €40 million, but a deal could be closed for €50-55 million. Juve rejected Fiorentina's loan offer for Pjaca, they want to sell the player (with a buy-back clause).
Also reports are Milan's salary offer is only 4 million. Higgy won't agree to that. Looking more likely that Pjanic will move. if we really do get 100 million for him, I think we will sell. SMS back in the frame if that happens: https://www.football-italia.net/124861/pjanic-out-sms
Buffon's 5 million a year reasons why he left: https://www.football-italia.net/124864/buffon-wages-revealed
It be a good movie for Higgy, but that salary is too low for him, he is still a premier scorer in this league. I’m hoping an EPL team takes him, but he is too slow for them me thinks.
If you genuinely believe this about our summer so far, then you simply want to complain for the sake of complaining. No mercato is ever perfect, but if you don't think this mercato is evidence that our management is not doing everything possible and within their power to make us as strong contenders for the CL, then all you're doing is proving that you have no idea of what you're talking about and using cynicism to try to pretend otherwise, and failing miserably. It's one thing to have constructive complaints about the squad's weaknesses, but that's not what this comment is. Whatever this management does, you complain. They sign arguably the biggest superstar in the game, you bitch about salaries. We sign quality on the cheap, and you complain that we can only attract rejects. We pay up for players we believe are worth their price tag and you complain that we're overpaying for mediocrity. We sign youth, you complain that our management is setting us up to lose because of the lack of experience. We sign experience, you complain that the squad is too old. You clearly believe that criticism and complaining is proof of knowledge and understanding, when actually it's the exact opposite. All it reveals is that, in your ignorance, you want to be dissatisfied no matter what.
We have picked up Caldara, Can, Perin, Cancelo, Spinazzola & Costa. If we were to pick up a world class striker, it would be a pretty damn good transfer market.
Juve lost the 2017 final and responded by signing Costa, Bernardeschi, Bentancur, Matuidi, Can, Caldara, Spinazola, Cancelo, Ronaldo. Just with the players Juve signed over the last two summers: ---------------Ronaldo --------Costa--------Berna ------Matuidi------------Can ------------Benatancur MDS---Caldara--CB--Cancelo --------------Szchezny Management basically added a new team on top of a squad that already made the CL final. They deserve HUGE credit. That team on paper is CL quarterfinal quality.
Marca: Paul Pogba wants to return to Juventus. The midfielder was pushing to convince Manchester United to let him leave for Turin. Pogba is strongly attracted by the possibility to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Juve. His management has told United he wants to leave. Sturaro's agent: "There are several offers on Juve’s table to evaluate...there’s not only the big clubs West Ham and Leicester, but at least 4 other clubs interested in my client, who doesn’t have a preferred destination. We’re just waiting for a decision by the Bianconeri."