Whilst the world apparently shifts on its axis as BREXIT mass hysteria engulfs the many, and my own concerns lie in the – some would say – provocative measure to commemorate the nazi invasion of Russia through NATO practising invading Russia on their borders, I turn to the youth for solace and nourishment. But not the youth of the UK, who roar and rage of WE ARE THE FUTURE, whilst showing zero regard for their counterparts in Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Ireland who have fared less wonderfully under the EU project, no no no, I mean the youth of Juve. Discussion of which can conjure no ill will, nor tear apart friends, lovers, families, even shell from tortoise!
I should begin with a brief mention of Fabio Grosso. A coach who has achieved a UEFA A coaching licence, the highest of such qualifications available and yet I was previously not at all a fan of his ability to lead, to deploy tactics and nourish the development of our little ones. Still, credit where credit is due. The primavera had a brilliant season, finishing first in the league table, losing the finals of both the league championship and coppa italia and of course winning the Viareggio. Fabio was extremely close to a marvellous treble. Which perhaps explains why Serie A newcomers Crotone were eager for his services, as first team coach! It appeared in the balance for a few days, however, the world cup winner decided to remain with Juve to lead the U19s for another campaign.
We have recently procured from Cesena a towering centre forward of very encouraging potential. Elia Petrelli plundered 21 goals and plenty of assists for his U15 side last season and moves to Juve to continue his development. He appears far more lively and technically gifted a player than merely his physique could offer at youth level as the biggest kid in the playground. 188cm tall, with 80kg at his tender age certainly helps, but from what we can see below, his game seems finely tuned in more areas than simply as a battering ram. A worthy addition to our stable of fledgling starlets…
Schiavone was sold outright to Cesena as part of the deal.
In a busy week for recruitment, we have also signed outright the Macedonian 14 year old wing wizard, Nikola Sekulov from Pro Piacenza. Equally vibrant on either flank, the lad is considered a hot prospect by many and will now have the chance to progress through the rites of passage in black and white.
Oumar Toure, who moved on loan to the U19s in January, has been purchased from Santarcangelo. The powerhouse midfielder will continue his career with Grosso next season after impressing in the Viareggio and beyond.
Icelandic international centre-back Hordur Magnusson has left the club to join english championship side, Bristol City for EU3m. Which offers the first recorded instance in history of my beloved Gills (of League One fame) somehow appearing in my thoughts as I write of Juve, as City’s Chris Wagstaff headed to Kent last week!
The player long thought a pretender to Buffon’s crown, Nicola Leali, has moved on loan to Greek champions Olympiakos, where he will be defending the domestic double and sampling the champions league.
Another goalkeeper on our books, the Romanian Branescu has returned to his homeland to roll the dice of destiny at Dinamo Bucharest, on loan.
The worst kept secrets of the youth mercato have become reality, with Colombian midfielder, Andres Tello, joining Brazilian starlet Matheus Pereira on loan at Empoli. The latter we appear to have signed via the Tuscany side and it seems for the best to assume we hold an option on his registration for the future, or own him outright. He comes from Corinthians, now 18, and has represented Brazil at U17 level 8 times.
23 year old wide-man, Leonardo Spinazzola has joined Atalanta on a two year loan deal. The former winner of the Viareggio player of the tournament trophy spent last season earning his stripes at Serie B outfit Perugia, where he was a mainstay of the side which achieved a solid mid table finish, deployed in every position available on either flank throughout the campaign.
Rumours abound of our Argie youngster, Guido Vadala (19) – who some will recall was signed on loan from Boca Juniors as part of the Tevez deal – moving to Brescia, alongside Alberto Cerri (though SPAL are also keen on the Italian prima punta). I cannot believe we are allowed to loan a loaned player so will research with more zeal and for now close to assume that we have purchased the player outright. Yet in Italy, anything is possible…Regardless of the intricacies of the registration issue, after a slow start, Vadala came good in the latter parts of the season and I retain hope of his glorious potential finding the right environment to blossom.
Lichtenstein international midfielder Marcel Buchel (25) has completed his move to Empoli for EU1m. And in other snippets…
Swiss striker Josipovic has joined FC Aarau…we are soon to sign boy wonder Mehdi Leris, an 18 year old french algerian winger presently at Chievo…Shot stopper Alberto Brignoli (24) has moved to Leganes to join former Juve starlet Gabriel Appelt as they journey into unknown territory of the Spanish top flight, La Liga…and finally…Mattia Vitale has joined Cesena on loan, to continue his development at senior level.
OUT
Left on a free > F Rossi, Carlo Ilari, Matteo Liviero.
Left on Loan > Brignoli (Leganes, ESP), S Ganz (Verona), Marcelo Djalo (Deportive Lugo, ESP), Andres Tello and Matheus Perriera (Empoli), Mattia Vitale (Cesena), Branescu (Dinamo Bucharest), Leali (Olympiakos), Patrick Consol (Varese), Carlo Cavallo (St Vincent Palloti), Padovan (Foggia), Barlocco (Allesandria), Margiotta (Lausanne, SWI), Spinazzola (Atalanta)
Sold>Buchel (Empoli) EU1m, Magnusson (Bristol City) EU3m, Josipovic (FC Aarau) ?, Schiavone (Cesena)
IN
Elia Petrelli (Cesena), Sekulov (Piacenza), Matheus Pereira (Corinthians EU2m), Omar Toure (Santarcangelo)
There are a multitude of deals still to be finalised, homes to be found at senior level for many of our primavera stock from last term and yet rather than pounce on every whisper in the shadows, I will end this update after a brief mention of 19 year old Fillipo Romagna, centre-back and captain of both the Juve Primavera and Italian U19s and also 18 year old right winger Francesco Cassata. Both players were selected for the European U19 championships staged in Germany which began earlier this week. Our group comprises of Germany, Austria and Portugal. How strange, yet fitting, that the team that ended the commendable efforts of the senior nazionale, were beaten in the first game of the group stage to bring the two countries back to a sense of equilibrium. Romagna played the full 90 with Cassata appearing for the final 20 minutes of a 1-0 victory.
Breaking news…
Whilst comrade Vlad continues to defy judeo-christian power bloc efforts to completely destroy if not subjugate to their global hegemony routine Syria, and our very own NATO sponsored boys in black ISIS are pushed back, change clothes and squeal ‘But I am a moderate terrorist!’, Juve plough ever onwards with their own plans for global hegemony…and I am pleased to announce that the club have signed their first Syrian player in history. Ramadan Ammar moves from Italian side POL Cimiani and joins us on a 2 year deal. Son of former Syrian star Munaf Ammar, 14 year old Ramadan is a striker who has plundered goals in various tournaments, impressed enough at Cimiani and will join the U15s for the upcoming season.
I will be following young Ammar with interest…
For now, as the unforgiving wind and 3C icy chill encourage me to head indoors to seek slumber, I shall sign off, wishing all juventini well in everything which matters most.
forza juve
TGP
Excellent article my friend!! I think you keep outdoing you’re self with these!
Personally I dont agree with the Hordur Magnusson sale. I think he has classy potential and perhaps we’ve turned the page with him too soon. He was one of the better CB’s in serie B last year. The Empoli deals are quite outstanding in my opinion, especially if they get minutes this year. I think Tello will start about 70% of the games while Matheus might be more of a off the bench player. Cassata and Romagna have really excelled in the last year or so, it will be interesting if either will be loaned out to a Serie B side. Neither Vadala or Cerri have really impressed in my opinion. Vadala seems like a luxury for now, while Cerri was signed on a free deal so if we do sell at least we will make some profit there.
This is arguably the most exciting season for Juve in the last 10+ years. Everything seems to be falling in place. Organization, Stadium, Fan base, profit, academy, management, coach etc….. Really a great time to be with the la vecchia signora.
Thanks Jas…I enjoy the youth sector focus far less than my opinion pieces, for there are so many players to try keep track of, as well as stats, it becomes more a chore than a pleasure, but I began a few years ago and push myself to continue.
Hordur has always seemed very solid indeed. Probably more a case of the player wanting the move and no space for him at Juve presently.
Indeed, it seems likely that Tello is more ready for staking a claim at first team action. Matheus had barely featured for Corinthians and at 18, he may well find himself in their primavera. And from there it depends how he performs and what chances arise in the first team squad through injury and suspension. A year at U19 level won’t do him any harm.
Romagna has long been thought of as a future star for both club and country. His development seems very steady and a solid EURO U19 campaign could see him find a Serie A loan club for next season. Similar case with Cassata, although he may well qualify for another term in the primavera, though he is ready to move up to senior football.
It is very difficult to gauge players until they have headed out to play with the men. I am still trying to get my head around the mooted loan moves of Vadala. Who fared well enough, though not as spectacularly as some expected. Again, the proof of the pudding comes when he dons boots and finds himself up against seniors, the sooner the better, for all concerned.
I will also mention the latest signing…Alessandro Pio Riccio…a 6ft 15 year old CB who many of the top clubs were after.
I can imagine its allot more work, but for some reason I enjoy reading about the Primavera much more so then say some other aspects. That’s really too bad about Magnusson but I guess that makes sense. Romagna does seem to be taking all the right steps, a true leader this kid is. Perfect Juve DNA!! haven’t really seen him play but it seems management does hold him in high regards. I don’t think they will loan him on second thought, it seems that they probably promote him to the senior team and have him learn from BBC. Vadala will cost allot of money to keep (9million?) that seems about 8 million too high if you’ve seen hims performances. Kastanos and Lirola are definitely good prospects as well.
I think Tello is probably the highest on my list, given how much he’s matured and impressed in Serie B last year. This kid could be one hell of a talent. Granted we got him for only a million!
what do you guys think about mauro icardi? wanda nara, his wife&agent said that juve offered 50m € for him.
If we get him for 50M, I wouldn’t mind it at all. I think he’s an amazing striker.
i didnt see him much in action, but remember he scored plenty against us before,
Yeaaaa he has a habit of that. I’ve seen quite a bit of him in other games too, he’s got a great shot on him and pretty good pace. There are some parts of his game that need work, like his finishing for instance. But considering today’s market, and the fact that he plays for Inter, 50M is a fair price for him in my opinion.
and higuain? what a season behind him, but is much older and fukn more expensive.
anyway i just watched icardi’s vid on yt , looks good, dint even know lol, as i never care bout merda players lol
I dont think Icardi is worth 50 million, he isn’t half the striker his wife is prompting him out to be. I’d pay 25-30 max for Icardi, fair market value.
if zaza’s reported value is around 25-30 then it is more than you predict mate, icardi scored plenty in last 2 seasons, so will cost more than 25-30
Yeaaaaa he plays for Merda ffs, that’s his biggest drawback in my opinion. The reports of him being a c*nt may be true too, but who knows about that.
Higuain would be extraordinary signing if we got him. In my opinion it would pretty much guarantee us a spot in the CL final, and it would be up to Higuain to not f*ck it up from there lol. But the riots that would happen in Naples if we bought him wouldn’t be worth it haha
Honestly, fuck Icardi and that circus he calls his wife. I wouldnt want him at Juve for free
lol, she seems to be pretty fuked up , empty head
I’m with 100%. We don’t need that sort of circus in Turin. He won’t last at Juve with her behaviour.
25% of me is Syrian so hoping for Ammar to be a success at our beloved club! Can someone please bring Morata’s attention to this young Syrian. Level : Messi!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFrSeX2LEvA
If i had to rank all of our prospects, born 1995 and after I’d put these in top 5.
1. Andres Tello (born in 1996), just raw talent here folks. At $1.2mill I believe we have such a bargain. His scissor kick last year vs Cesena was nuts.
2. Mattia Vitale (Born in 1997) – Played 80% of the games in Serie B last year, loaned o serie B again. Very impressive for a player this young.
3. Luca Clemenza (born in 1997), I love watching Luca play. He reminds me so much of ADP. Well rounded free kick specialist with an eye of an eagle. Really have high hopes for this kid.
4. Romagna – Not much to say, except this kid will probably be Italy’s captain within the next 7-8 years.
5. Pol Lirola – Very exciting RB, an offensive machine. Exactly what we’ve been lacking with our wing backs in the past.
How about you guys?