Juventus have been linked with Nemanja Matic and Miralem Pjanić in their search for a new midfielder.
The season isn’t over yet, but the transfer rumours are already dominating many of the Italian dailies.
The latest ‘reports’ from England suggest Juventus have been in contact with Chelsea over a deal for Nemanja Matic who suffered a torrid season at Stamford Bridge this season.
The Daily Express believe Juventus have been in contact with The Premier League club for the last week and ae confident of completing a €25m deal for the midfielder.
As if that weren’t far-fetched enough, today’s Gazzetta Dello Sport reports Juventus are closely monitoring Miralem Pjanić.
The paper suggests Juventus are following the Bosnian’s situation closely, and are not undeterred by the €38m buy-out clause.
Beppe Marotta would face serious competition for the midfielder, as both Bayern Munich and Barcelona are watching the player with interest, the Bavarian’s being the favourites to land the player.
I would not poo-poo the Matic story. It is being widely sited in England, and does fall into the category often followed up by Juve of ‘great player fallen out of form but can be revived and bought on the cheap’. In 2014 – 2015 season he was top drawer for Chelsea.
Matic had the unfortunate focus of Mourinho and therefore the press during the period which led to the situation which spiralled ever more out of control until The Special One was removed from his duties. Whilst every other player in the squad was performing equally and often more woefully – save Willian – it was perhaps a case of Matic representing the demise of the confidence and form which stormed towards the title the season before. Alongside Yaya, the Serb was the major powerhouse midfielder of the league for most of that campaign. It was no surprise to see him included in the PFA team of the season.
As with many other players, he has recovered under Hiddink and I am surprised that Conte appears willing to let go a player who can own the midfield superbly, runs hard and long, bites into a huge amount of tackles per game and also can offer solid support from deep to allow the frontmen to play with space and confidence.
He will be 28 in August, yet I would be very pleased indeed to add him to the ranks, as Marchiso will be confidently replaced, and dare I say, the Serb could even improve on Il principino’s efforts in that particular role. 20-25m would be money well spent I believe. Unlikely to recoup such a fee given his age, yet he could anchor the midfield for 3 or 4 years.
It is a position which demands experience, which Matic brings in abundance. The first name we have been strongly linked with, which actually excites me and brings confidence of definite strengthening with assured quality and experience at the top level.
Indeed sir. Twenty eight is fine, still has a good 4 years in him. By no means would he be the worst way to spend 20m. What does Conte know anyway, he’s the same guy that thought the CL final squad was not good enough! My respect for him has vanished since he walked out us. He won’t last 2 years of that contract at Chelski.
You strike me as another who watches as much premier league football as myself, comrade? I barely miss a game all season thanks to my beloved MOTD which offers me a welcome taste of home every weekend. I miss Alan Hanson and could do with more of Mark Lawrenson (who still seems to make the odd appearance) yet even with Linekar, Shearer and Murphy I am engrossed and entertained.
I wish I had the time to watch the same of Serie A, yet I mainly consume solely Juve, with the odd match up between title rivals thrown in for good measure. Yet the premier league is my bread and butter…
Matic would be great value at 20-25m. Would allow Marchisio to return to a more natural role as a box to box midfielder, as I doubt the Italian would instantly replace the Serb when finally recovered from his horrid ACL injury. Simply because Matic is stronger in the role in front of defence.
Its fair enough to consider his season terrible, yet only if in the same breath you condemn Courtoius, Ivanovic, Cahill, Hazard and Fabregas as having atrocious seasons. To single out Matic is an error; the whole team bar Willian, were affected by the Mourinho melodrama. Had Hiddink started as manager, they would be top four I assume.
The Serb is a monster. Great value with the ability and experience to anchor the midfielder for 3-4 years at the top level.
I also lost respect for Conte due to the manner of his departure and tendency to place himself in the media as more important than the reputation of the club. Wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him sacked before Christmas…
25mill is far too much for Matic imo. Pjanic is too much of an obvious bullshit story to even think about 😛
In this day and age 25m is nothing, and a Matic on form (as opposed this season) is a top top player in his preferred role. Think what else you can get with 25m that is near as world class? Not much. He is a serious guy who takes his football seriously, unlike so many of the football selfie-loving bling boys (not mentioning Pogba at this point). He is a top pro and consistent with it. You don’t get into the PFA team of the year with a couple of good performances. He was a major reason for Chelsea winning the EPL in that 2014 season. I remember the Match Of The Day crew raving about him most weeks, so much so I got fed up with them. Which is why there is such shock that his form dropped off so much this season.
If we can get him back on form he would be a steal as far as transfers involving top EPL clubs go. Not picking on Liverpool for any reason, but just put that E25m against the money Liverpool have paid out for failures like Andy Carroll, Benteke, Ballotelli and others. How about some of Man City’s purchases – Raheem Sterling @ 61m euros !!!!! Not looking so expensive now is he 🙂 With journeymen squad players now 10+million a pop, quality like Matic at double that is not to be turned down if we get a chance.
This is a good read with stats from one of his performances from 2014-15 season
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2576655/Forget-Eden-Hazard-Nemanja-Matic-machine-Cezar-Azpilicueta-unsung-heroes.html
Apologies to TGP that it’s the Daily Mail 🙂
I know Matic can be great, but 25mill for a 28year old who has had a terrible season? 20mill I could agree with. There is a lot that you can buy for 25mill, it is also the sum mentioned for Berardi. You could get Witsel too for that sum, who is also great when in form.
he might have been great 2 seasons ago(counting the current season as finished), but I think the price could be pulled down a bit.
Liverpool has indeed misbought a lot, but that only shows how stupid it it to spend a lot on the wrong player( not referring to Matic here)
And Sterling costing so much has more to do with the hunt for English top players in the PL. They need them for that homegrown rule so English clubs can be pushed to spend so much on English players – you will never see a non-english team spend so much on An English player.
Matic is good and even very good, but remains overpriced in my eyes
We got Tevez for half that money, same for Vidal. Pirlo and Khedira for nothing(excellent opportunities of course, but still)
It seems like all the Andre Gomes talk has slowed down considerably, which maybe makes sense as to why the Matic talks are picking up. I have barely seen any of Gomes, but I have seen with my own eyes what Matic can do when in form. At this point, I would not be against either one of them coming in, as they both improve the quality of the squad overall.
The Pjanic rumours make no sense, unless Roma really is stupid enough to sell him to us. I think they will sell Pjanic though, along with Nainggolan, and settle with finishing 2nd/3rd again next season, it just remains to be seen to which club. If they keep them both as they should, and add any striker superior to Dzeko, then they are our main rivals next season, and can seriously challenge for the Scudetto under Spalleti.
I’d wait and see what Sarri and his cohorts can do with the Higuain money which I believe will appear and will be 40-50m. I cannot yet see Roma hurdling Napoli as our main challengers next term.