Claudio Ranieri has to bring in several signings to make Juventus great again, but Gianluigi Buffon’s contract extension could well be the best bit of business he does all summer.
Despite their promotion back to Serie A, the Italy number one had contemplated leaving the club but Ranieri’s appointment following the resignation of Didier has convinced him to stay.
Ranieri cannot rest on his laurels, though, if he is to meet expectations and lead Juve to Champions League qualification at least next season.
The defence needs rebuilding with error-prone Frenchman Jean Alain Boumsong even struggling in Serie B. Fabio Cannavaro, Lilian Thuram and Gianluca Zambrotta all left after Juve’s demotion for match-fixing last year, and replacements of similar quality are hard to find. Jonathan Zebina has extended his contract, Ajax’s Zdenek Grygera has arrived on a Bosman and attacking fullback Federico Balzaretti is improving, but more reinforcements are needed.
The midfield also requires work. Pavel Nedved is still a superb player but is 34 while Mauro Camoranesi has hinted he may leave. Bayern Munich’s hard-working right winger Hasan Salihamidzic, who joins in July, could make up for the loss of Camoranesi but centre midfield is the main worry.
Media have speculated that Frank Lampard, who Ranieri brought to Chelsea, is a possible signing but the coach has said he must not “delude” the fans that the England man is coming.
Upfront, Alessandro Del Piero is another year older and David Trezeguet is yet to commit to the club. A raft of possible signings, including Italy’s midweek hero Fabio Quagliarella, have been mentioned in the press and one big name forward seems certain to arrive.
Mark Meadows, Milan
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2 comments so far
Lampard to Juventus would be a pretty good move for all concerned. He obviously needs a new challenge and if he makes it in Serie A he can really tell all the doubters to get lost. It’d be good to see chelsea weakened without him, as well.
- Posted by redderthaneverJuve keeping Buffon is great news for those hoping for a competitive Serie A next season.
With ‘giants’ such as Genoa and Napoli returning and Torino avoiding the drop we will be in for some great derbies next year.
With no Calciopoli deductions we should hopefully see Juve, Lazio, Fiorentina and Milan realistically challenge Inter and Roma, which will be refreshing after the dirge of Inter’s Scudetto romp.
I still don’t see Ranieri as the man to take the Bianconeri to the title, he appears to be someone who will help them rebuild over the next two years rather than the man to bring them the title back at the first attempt.
- Posted by Steve Wilson