Socrates

Cuadrado will make a huge difference to Juventus - Di Livio The ex-Bianconeri player has tipped the Colombian to shine behind the strikers or on the wing, but predicts difficulties for his old club in their upcoming clash with Roma. http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2015/08/26/14767252/-? Aug 26, 2015 Juan Cuadrado has made the perfect move in joining Juventus and could help fix the side's problem in the attacking midfield position, according to former player Angelo Di Livio. The Bianconeri have been in the hunt for a player capable of being the link between midfield and attack, but have so far been rebuffed in their attempts to sign Julian Draxler from Schalke. Their search led them to Chelsea winger Cuadrado, who has failed to secure a spot in Jose Mourinho's first team after joining in January, with the Colombian moving back to Serie A on loan. And Di Livio has revealed his excitement at the signing, stating the the attacker's versatility and flair can take the Old Lady far as they look to move on from the departures of Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal. "He’s someone who can make a huge difference. Serie A will remember him well after his great season for Fiorentina in the 2013 season," the ex-Italy international, who also represented the Viola in his career, told Tuttosport. “I’m convinced that Juventus is the perfect club for Cuadrado, who I think can also play behind the strikers. We know the Colombian as a fabulous winger because of his pace, but I’m sure coach Massimiliano Allegri will also try him as an attacking midfielder." It is however unknown whether the 27-year-old could be ready in time for the Italian champions' trip to face Roma on Sunday, and Di Livio is of the opinion the early battle between the Scudetto contenders could prove problematic for either side. "The trip is too soon for Juventus but the same holds true for Roma," he said. "Unfortunately neither side is in top condition for a match like that, so it’s difficult to make predictions for Sunday. "In the long run, both are competing for the Scudetto, they’re the best teams to do that." Both sides got the season off to a bad start last weekend, with Juventus succumbing 1-0 to Udinese at home while Roma were held to a 1-1 draw at Hellas Verona.

Fernando Llorente on the brink of move to Sevilla http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/8/26/9209781/fernando-llorente-juventus-sevilla-la-liga-serie-a-summer-transfer-rumors-2015 Aug 26, 2015 The ever-evolving duel for which of Juventus' fourth- or fifth-choice strikers will actually be leaving Turin this summer has swung back to the "Fernando Llorente is heading back to Spain" camp. According to reports out of both Italy and Spain early Wednesday, Llorente is set to return to his homeland after Juventus and Sevilla agreed to a deal for the 30-year-old striker worth a reported €10 million transfer fee. If the reports are indeed true and Llorente does head out — on loan or on a permanent transfer — this summer, it will cap off a long-winded couple of months that has seen a handful of teams try and sign Llorente, but saw nothing ultimately materialize. Well, until now, of course. Khaled Al Nouss @KhaledAlNouss Llorente's transfer to Sevilla is almost a done deal. Mauricio Isla could also join Sevilla, according to @romeoagresti. And there's also this: Fernando Llorente and Juventus are set to go their separate ways as Spanish side Sevilla close in on confirming the strikers move to Southern Spain. It is not clear at the moment whether the player will arrive on loan initially but this is thought to be Sevilla's preferred option. Llorente looks to be returning to Spain in the very near future. (Source: Gianluca Di Marzio) The other end of the equation is that with Llorente potentially leaving Turin is that another striker who in his own right has been rumored to be departing, Simone Zaza, likely won't be going to West Ham. Or at least you would thin that's the case despite the fact Juventus and West Ham reportedly agreed to a loan deal to bring Zaza to England on loan with an option to buy. And in the last few days, anything when it came to which Juventus striker would stay around for the recently-started Serie A season seemed anything but certain. First it looked like Llorente would go, then the Zaza rumors popped up out of the blue following Juventus' loss to Udinese on Sunday, and now we're back to Llorente heading back to Spain. Aren't transfer rumors fun? Yeah, they are. Except when some of them means we don't get to sing Abba around here anymore. "Can you hear the drums, Fernando........"

Sevilla agree Llorente deal http://www.football-italia.net/71617/report-sevilla-agree-llorente-deal? Aug 26, 2015 Reports in Spain claim Sevilla have agreed a €10m deal for Juventus striker Fernando Llorente. It was revealed last night that the Liga club had rekindled their interest in the big forward, delaying Simone Zaza’s prospective move to West Ham United. AS is reporting that a transfer has been agreed, with Llorente set to return to Spain in a €10m deal, two seasons after leaving Athletic Club. In addition, Sevilla are believed to be interested in wing-back Mauricio Isla, spent last season at Queens Park Rangers, having been deemed surplus to requirements by the Bianconeri. Rojiblancos striker Kevin Gameiro also spoke to the newspaper, but isn’t sure whether Llorente will arrive. “We don’t know whether or not Llorente will come,” the French striker admitted. “If he comes it would be good for the team, because we have a lot of matches in various competitions, and we need a good squad to deal with that. “I’m working hard to be in [Coach Unai] Emery’s starting line-up, then we’ll see what happens and who plays. “Emery likes every striker to score 15 or 20 goals, Llorente and I have very different characteristics, I’m sure we could play together if he comes to Sevilla. “We’d prove that in training.”

Analysing What New Signing Alex Sandro Brings to Serie A Giants Juventus http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2554678-analysing-what-new-signing-alex-sandro-brings-to-serie-a-giants-juventus? Aug 26, 2015 For most of the summer, Juventus were busy replacing the stars who had departed, bringing in the likes of Sami Khedira and Mario Mandzukic in the hope of continuing their run of dominance atop the Serie A table. One lamentable point is that Paulo Dybala—signed from Palermo—will not get to learn from Carlos Tevez. If the latter had remained in Turin for the final year of his contract, the impact his tutelage could have had on the €32 million acquisition would be almost immeasurable. However, last week the Bianconeri made another addition who will reap a similar benefit, bringing in Alex Sandro from FC Porto. According to their official website, the Italian champions paid €26 million for the left-back, and he will undoubtedly enjoy the veteran presence of Patrice Evra. Sandro’s career began in the youth sector at Atletico Paranaense, making his first-team debut in 2008. Within a year he had established himself as first-choice, and caught the attention of Santos who would help him develop into a fearsome attacking force. During that time he would also cement his place within the country's youth sides, and was part of the under-20 squad which won both the South American Youth Championship and FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2011. The same year also saw him help his club side lift the Copa Libertadores, and he was on the move again, joining Porto at the same time as his team-mate Danilo. His first season would see him make just seven appearances, but when Alvaro Pereira moved to Inter at the end of that campaign, Sandro would begin to make his mark. Over the following four years, he would steadily improve the defensive side of his game, and arrives at Juventus a much more well-rounded player than most would expect of a pacey Brazilian full-back. Defensively, he is strong enough to compete when the game becomes physical, while his speed and ability to recover allow him some margin for error if he is ever caught out. Indeed, those attributes were identified last summer by Portuguese football expert Tom Kundert, who said the following in his column for Mirror Sport: Sandro combines a willingness to bomb forward in the best Brazilian traditions with the innate sense of when to do so and when to hold back. A tenacious defender who combines well with his team-mates when venturing upfield, any potential suitor will have to pay big to get him, but will have the length of their left flank well patrolled as a result. That opinion is supported by statistics from WhoScored.com, their figures showing the 24-year-old averaged a staggering 4.1 tackles, 4.3 interceptions and 3.2 clearances in his nine Champions League appearances last term. The same source shows that Evra recorded averages of 1.8 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and 3.2 clearances per game in the same competition, the comparison showing just how much impact Sandro now has. OptaPaolo ✔@OptaPaolo 39 – Alex Sandro was the defender with the most interceptions (39) and fouls won (22) over the last Champions League. Bianconero? The impressive numbers continue, with Squawka.com highlighting that the Brazilian—who stands 1.80 m (5’ 11”) tall—won 70 percent of the aerial duels he contested. That will be important in Serie A, where strikers often target full-backs on crosses to the far post, an area of the game where Evra himself excels. “Roberto Carlos and Patrice Evra who is here at Juve are the players who have most inspired me,” Sandro said at his inaugural press conference this week (h/t Football Italia). “I imitated them, and I’ll continue to do that.” While the opportunity to learn from the latter will be vital, it is the attributes he shares with his compatriot that will most excite supporters. Like the former Real Madrid star, his style retains that recognisable Brazilian flair, able to entertain fans with his superb footwork and close control. Difficult to knock off the ball, he is adept at beating opposition defenders one-on-one, with WhoScored showing he averaged 4.7 dribbles per game in the 2013/14 season, and at full speed he is almost impossible to stop. Once there he either clips the ball into the box or drives it in low just as Carlos used to, a tough situation for defenders and goalkeepers but a joy for predatory strikers like Mario Mandzukic, who is likely to thrive on such service. Indeed, while Sandro has notched few assists—a single one in last season’s Champions League—he has provided a steady stream of scoring opportunities, averaging 1.2 key passes per game last term, according to WhoScored. While he won a silver medal with Brazil at the London Olympics in 2012 and has six full caps to his name, Sandro was not part of his country’s squads for either the last World Cup or this summer’s Copa America. Losing out to the likes of Paris Saint-Germain’s Maxwell and Marcelo of Real Madrid, the man in charge of the Selecao believes his move to Italy could improve his chances. “Competing in the Champions League with a big club like that will help him mature in terms of the national team,” Dunga said recently, per PortuGoal.net. “Alex Sandro is a player worthy of Juventus, and I think an experience with a top Serie A club will make him even more complete,” the coach continued, and it is a view the player clearly shares. Speaking at his first press conference in Turin, Sandro gave reporters his opinion on the move and what it means for him personally: Juventus was the perfect choice for me. Coming here will help me to grow as both a person and player. As a team, we're working hard and will strive to win all the competitions we're involved in this season. Serie A is a tough league and the most tactical in the world. I am sure that the experience will improve me as a footballer. I always give 100% to win. I'm confident I'll be able to show my qualities both during games and on the training pitch. The tactical variety he will now be faced with was an important point to make, particularly given the flexibility Massimiliano Allegri has displayed during his time with the Bianconeri, switching between 3-5-2 and what he told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport (h/t Football Italia) is best described as “4-3-and then we’ll see.” Sandro appears unfazed by that regular change however, telling the club website (h/t Football Italia) that he is “used to playing in both a back-three and a back-four,” in a short video. “Obviously in a three-man defence the left-sided defender has to push harder to join the attacks, but as I say, I can play in either a three-man or a four-man backline.” That kind of incisive push was sorely lacking against Udinese last week, and Juventus face a difficult trip to AS Roma on Sunday, a game that might see his debut. When he does take to the field, it will be the beginning of what the Old Lady hopes is a bright future, clearly investing in Alex Sandro to inherit the role from Patrice Evra.

Khedira back in September? http://www.football-italia.net/71612/khedira-back-september? Aug 26, 2015 Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira could reportedly be back by the end of September. The German international picked up a hamstring injury in pre-season, and was expected to be out for two months. However, Tuttosport is reporting that Khedira is recovering more quickly than expected, and could return for the Fiorentina match on September 23. It’s good news for the Bianconeri, who are also without Claudio Marchisio in midfield, with Khedira set to return to training after the international break. The World Cup winner joined the Old Lady on a free transfer from Real Madrid this summer, but has yet to make his competitive debut.

ROMA - JUVENTUS - Sunday, August 30th, 2015 - 6:00 PM Olimpico Stadium - Rome Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli Di Livio "Match versus Roma comes too soon for Juve http://www.football-italia.net/71609/di-livio-‘juventus-perfect-cuadrado’? Aug 26, 2015 The Old Lady’s season got off to a bad start on Sunday, as they went down 1-0 at home to Udinese, and Di Livio expects the new faces to take time to settle. “Don’t forget, that in Pirlo, Vidal and Tevez, Juve have lost a lot of quality. The new arrivals need time to gel and get used to winning all the time, as the club’s history requires. “You’re greeted with one ideal in Turin - ‘you’re here because we want to win’. You have to give 110 per cent, or you’ll be wearing another shirt next year. “Is the trip to face Roma too soon for Juve? Yes, but the same is true for Roma. Unfortunately neither side is in top condition for a match like that, so it’s difficult to make predictions for Sunday. “In the long run, Juventus and Roma are both competing for the Scudetto, they’re the best-equipped teams to do that. “Roma have been great on the transfer market, but they’ll have to deal with Allegri’s team. “Dzeko or Mandzukic? In Italy you find out who the real number 9s are. They’re similar players, though Mandzukic is a pure battering ram, ready to go shoulder to-shoulder with anyone, whereas Dzeko also knows how to play with his back to goal and send a teammate in on goal. “Indispensible players? For Roma I’d say Nainggolan. For Juve I’d say Marchisio, whose absence is a blow, because he’s a midfielder who can take up Pirlo’s legacy. “Don’t expect the same inch-perfect passes over 40 yards, but last season Marchisio played very well in the regista role. “Without Marchisio, it will be up to Pogba to light things up, he’s an outstanding world-class talent, worthy of the number 10.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Di Livio: ‘Juventus perfect for Cuadrado’ http://www.football-italia.net/71609/di-livio-%E2%80%98juventus-perfect-cuadrado%E2%80%99? Aug 26, 2015 Former midfielder Angelo Di Livio believes Juventus is the ‘perfect’ club for Juan Cuadrado. The Colombian winger has joined the Bianconeri on a season-long loan from Chelsea, and the former Italian international believes he can rediscover his form in Turin. “I think Cuadrado is a great signing,” Di Livio told Tuttosport. “He’s someone who can make a huge difference. He didn’t play much in the Premier League, but in Serie A we remember him well, he had a great 2013-14 in Florence [for Fiorentina]. “I’m convinced that Juventus is the perfect club for the Colombian, who will have the right incentives to be consistent. “I think Cuadrado can also play behind the strikers. We know the Colombian as a fabulous winger because of his pace, but I’m sure Allegri will also try him at trequartista.”

Juve one of the best - Cuadrado The Colombian winger was met by a rapturous reception as he touched down in Milan ahead of completing a medical with the Serie A champions. http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/08/25/14731592/juve-one-of-the-best-cuadrado?ICID=TP_HN_2 Aug 25, 2015 Juan Cuadrado has hailed Juventus as one of Europe's best teams, as he arrived in Turin ahead of his medical with the Serie A club on Tuesday. Juventus have confirmed Cuadrado as a loan signing from Chelsea, with the 27-year-old having been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge throughout the current transfer window. Fans of Juventus flocked to Milan Malpensa Airport on Monday to welcome Cuadrado to Italy, and the former Fiorentina midfielder claimed it was a pleasant surprise. "I didn't expect it but it was a great welcome and something that spurs you on perform well," he told Juventus' website. "Juventus are a great team and one of the best in Europe. We've got everything it takes to fight for the Scudetto and we hope to defend our title. "I'm here to give 100 per cent, work hard and prepare well for every game." Cuadrado has played just one game for Chelsea this season, coming off the bench in their 3-0 loss at Manchester City, and if his loan deal goes through, he will temporarily depart Stamford Bridge with only 13 league appearances and four starts. During his time at Fiorentina, the Colombia international played 85 Serie A matches and scored 20 goals.

ROMA - JUVENTUS - Sunday, August 30th, 2015 - 6:00 PM Olimpico Stadium - Rome Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli Maicon fit for Roma-Juve http://www.football-italia.net/71582/maicon-fit-roma-juve? Aug 25, 2015 Douglas Maicon is back in training and ready for Roma’s big Serie A game against Juventus on Sunday. The 34-year-old right-back was out of action for the last few weeks, but took part in this afternoon’s training session at Trigoria. According to Sky Sport Italia, he should be passed fit to even start this weekend’s Serie A showdown. Both Scudetto hopefuls got off to a rough start, as Roma were held 1-1 at Verona and Juventus lost 1-0 on home turf to Udinese. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Cuadrado joins Juve http://www.football-italia.net/71575/official-juventus-sign-cuadrado? Aug 25, 2015 Juan Cuadrado had his first training session with Juventus and thanked God for “this new opportunity.” The Colombia international completed his loan move from Chelsea, which does not include an option to buy. He passed his medical and started training with his Bianconeri teammates today. “I thank God for this new opportunity. Forza Juventus,” wrote Cuadrado on his Twitter account.

Chelsea flop Cuadrado a perfect fit for Juventus The Colombian has been shown the door after just over six months at Stamford Bridge but he looks an ideal signing for a Bianconeri side in need of pace and versatility. http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4659/editorials/2015/08/25/14742892/-? Aug 25, 2015 Juan Cuadrado touched down in Italy on Monday evening and was promptly mobbed by Juventus supporters as he tried to make his way to the car waiting to whisk him away to Turin ahead of his proposed loan move from Chelsea. Blues fans could be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss was about. After all, many are still trying to work out why their side decided to splash £23.3 million (€32 million) on the Colombia international during the January transfer window. They had expected to see the thrilling winger that had illuminated last year's World Cup in Brazil; a mix of industry and ingenuity that seemed certain to slot straight into Jose Mourinho's first team - yet ended up appearing unworthy of the reserves. Juve, though, could barely contain their excitement at having agreed a loan deal with Chelsea for the former Fiorentina ace. "He's arrived!" read a message released on their official Twitter feed on Monday. "And he immediately got an extraordinary welcome." And that was in Milan! Cuadrado is guaranteed an even warmer greeting in Turin. The sense of excitement among the Bianconeri faithful is understandable, though. Cuadrado has attracted attention since he first arrived in Italy in 2009, when he joined Udinese from Independiente Medellin. Indeed, Mourinho - then in his second and final season at Inter - was immediately taken with the Colombian and never stopped tracking his progress. Despite spending two years in Udine, it was only during a loan spell at Lecce during the 2011-12 season that Cuadrado really began to prosper, earning himself a move to Fiorentina, where he flourished, becoming one of the most exciting and versatile wing-backs in Serie A. Former Viola forward Luca Toni was so awestruck by a particularly energetic and incisive display against Juventus three years ago that he jokingly asked his young team-mate: "Did you have a scooter? It seemed like you were going up and down that flank on a Vespa!" Juventus have been watching Cuadrado closely ever since. In February of last year, former boss Antonio Conte instructed director general Giuseppe Marotta and sporting director Fabio Paratici to sign the South American. In a bid to give greater versatility to a side reliant on 3-5-2, the coach wanted a player capable of playing wide right in both his first-choice formation and an alternative 4-3-3 system. Conte may have departed that summer - tellingly, over a failure to acquire his chosen transfer targets - but the desire for tactical flexibility remained and has now been embraced by his successor, Massimiliano Allegri. As Marotta acknowledged before Sunday's Serie A opener against Udinese: "Our interest is not in taking players for specific roles... If we search for players for only one position, we risk limiting ourselves to players not of the highest level." The message was clear: Juve want new recruits of quality and adaptability. Cuadrado ticks both boxes as the personification of versatility; a player as comfortable attacking as he is defending. Indeed, the offensively-minded Brazil full-back Dani Alves last year welcomed Barcelona's reported interest in signing the then-Viola ace as his potential replacement: "If they can recruit him, then I encourage them to do it," he said. Former Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella also noted after Cuadrado bagged both goals in a 2-1 win over Chievo in October 2013 that his most prized possession was not just restricted to playing on one flank. "Juan is unique with his characteristics, as he scored while playing wide on the left in a 4-3-3 yet almost netted again playing on the right in a 3-5-2. So, he can do anything." Montella even came to the conclusion that Cuadrado had the requisite intelligence and vision to play off a No.9. In that sense, it is tempting to suggest that Cuadrado could also be the unlikely answer to Allegri’s pleas for a trequartista to be signed before August 31. However, the smarter - and far more likely - option will be to deploy him on the right, with Montella explaining: “Cuadrado loves to play wide on the flank. He likes to 'feel' the touchline because he can be unpredictable for the opposition from there.” Indeed, we are talking about a player that former Fiorentina and Bayern Munich forward Mario Gomez claims is on “the same level as Franck Ribery” and that Thierry Henry says is a striker’s dream: “He’s a special player. He can beat anyone at any time and he’s a proper winger also – that’s something you don’t see often now; guys that want to go down the line and beat people and cross. That’s what you want if you’re a striker.” That will be music to the ears of Juve centre-forward Mario Mandzukic, who was not given anything to work with from out wide in the shock 1-0 loss at home to Udinese, with both of the hosts' wing-backs, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Patrice Evra, looking well past their sell-by-dates as they struggled to get up and down their respective flanks. As Fabio Licari wrote in his match report in the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport: “Allegri would have killed for Cuadrado.” Still, Juve have belatedly got their man, a winger who offers blistering pace, endless energy and a multitude of tactical options - precisely what Allegri has been crying out for. Cuadrado may not have fit in at Chelsea, but there should always be a place for him in the Juventus starting line-up – whatever system they play.

OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: Chelsea's Juan Cuadrado joins Juventus on loan http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/8/25/9195657/officially-official-chelseas-juan-cuadrado-joins-juventus-on-loan Aug 25, 2015 Juan Cuadrado hasn't just been a Juventus transfer target in this current transfer window. It dates back a good amount of months, a good amount of transfer windows before that and obviously a huge amount of space in the Italian media devoted to the former Fiorentina man being decked out in black and white stripes. Now, after all of the paper talk and ups and downs of the transfer dealings, Cuadrado has become a Juventus player. The four-time defending Serie A champions announced they've signed the Colombian winger on loan for the 2015-16 season. There was no mention of a Juve having an option to buy Cuadrado next summer after the season-long loan deal — one that is rumored to cost Juventus all of €1.5 million — in their brief statement posted on the club's official website. From juventus.com: Juventus Football Club can today confirm that Juan Cuadrado has agreed terms on a season-long loan deal from English Premier League side Chelsea. The Colombian winger, 27, will now link up with his new team-mates in Vinovo ahead of this afternoon's training session. You see, when Beppe Marotta talks about Juventus looking for opportunities in the transfer market, this is what he means. Chelsea acquired Cuadrado from Fiorentina for £23.3 million during the last winter transfer window. Seven months later and after all of about five minutes of game time, Cuadrado was signed on loan by Juventus for a fraction of that transfer fee. Low risk, high reward. Opportunity, thy name is Beppe Marotta. When it comes to Cuadrado, the main question is a simple one: Will Juventus be getting the Colombian who was one of the best attacking threats during his days at Fiorentina? Or will he be the one that failed to make any kind of impression during his half-season at Chelsea? Maybe, just maybe, a change of scenery back to where he was so good before he changed purple for blue will prove to be just the right remedy for a player who was one of the most sought after players in Europe a year ago. OptaPaolo ✔@OptaPaolo 272 - Juan #Cuadrado completed more dribblings (272) than any other Serie A player over his spell at Fiorentina (Aug 12 - Jan 15).

Official: Juventus sign Cuadrado http://www.football-italia.net/71575/official-juventus-sign-cuadrado? Aug 25, 2015 Juventus have officially confirmed the signing of Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado. The Colombian international had his medical with the Bianconeri this morning, and joins on a one-year loan deal. “Juventus Football Club can today confirm that Juan Cuadrado has agreed terms on a season-long loan deal from English Premier League side Chelsea,” a statement on the Old Lady’s official website read. “The Colombian winger, 27, will now link up with his new team-mates in Vinovo ahead of this afternoon’s training session.” Cuadrado only had a brief spell at Stamford Bridge, failing to force his way into Jose Mourinho’s side after arriving from Fiorentina in January.

Juan Cuadrado signs for Juventus from Chelsea on season-long loan http://www.espnfc.co.uk/story/2580504/juventus-sign-juan-cuadrado-from-chelsea-on-season-loan? Aug 25, 2015 Juventus have completed the signing of Chelsea's Juan Cuadrado on a season-long loan. Cuadrado, who only moved to Stamford Bridge from Fiorentina in January, passed his medical in Turin on Tuesday morning before putting his signature on the paperwork to finalise his deal in the afternoon, the Bianconeri announced on their official website. JuventusFC ✔@juventusfcen OFFICIAL: @Cuadrado joins Juve on a season-long loan deal from @ChelseaFC The 27-year-old, who also counts Udinese and Lecce among his former sides in Italy, joined Chelsea for a fee worth up to almost £27 million, including bonuses, after starring for Fiorentina but failed to impress during his brief stay in England. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho had backed the Colombia international to succeed this season but he became surplus to requirements after the signing of Pedro from Barcelona. He now becomes an additional option to Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri for the trip to Roma on Sunday as they look to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to Udinese at the weekend.

Juventus seal Cuadrado deal The winger joined Chelsea from Fiorentina in January but returns to Serie A following the Blues' capture of Pedro. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3276/serie-a/2015/08/25/14742062/-? Aug 25, 2015 Juventus have announced they have signed Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado on a season-long loan deal until June 2016. The Colombia international only joined the Blues from Fiorentina in January, but the club's capture of Pedro from Barcelona means he is already surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge. Cuadrado will instead form part of Massimiliano Allegri's new-look Juve side, which has been weakened by the summer departures of Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo. However, the winger is the latest of a host of new arrivals in Turin, with Sami Khedira, Mario Mandzukic, Alex Sandro and Paulo Dybala among 12 new faces at the club. The 27-year-old could make his debut against Roma on August 30.

Sevilla Target Set To Stay At Juventus http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/sevilla-target-set-to-stay-at-juventus/? Aug 25, 2015 Despite drawing interest from Sevilla, Fernando Llorente is now likely to stay at Juventus. The former Athletic Club striker was in poor form last season scoring just seven goals in 25 starts for Bianconeri last season, and following the signing of Mario Mandzukic was expecting to have his playing time severely limited this season. According to Tuttomercatoweb, however, due to recent developments surrounding Simone Zaza and his proposed move to West Ham, the Spaniard looks set to stay at the Juventus Stadium. Moreover, reports that The Old Lady’s move for Julian Draxler is also off, only reinforces Llorente’s position at the Turin based club. In his first season with Juventus the 30-year-old scored 16 goals in 29 starts in Serie A. He also netted another two in the Champions League.

Cuadrado Targets Scudetto Defence http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/new-juventus-winger-targets-scudetto-defence/? Aug 25, 2015 New Juventus signing Juan Cuadrado has spoken following his return to Serie A from Premier League champions Chelsea, and has targeted success at the Bianconeri. The Colombian moved to Stamford Bridge from Fiorentina for a fee in the region of €23.5 million in January, but has since failed to secure himself a regular place in Jose Mourinho’s team. The winger revealed his delight at the move when speaking to the official club website. “The reception given to me by the fans will give me strength to do well,” Cuadrado began. “Juventus are a great team, the best in Italy,” he added. “We have to battle for the Scudetto, we hope to defend what has always been ours. “I will always give 100% for the club, then, it is up to the coach to pick me.” The 27-year-old featured 12 times for Chelsea in their title-winning season, with just four of these appearances being starts. He failed to contribute either a single goal or assist during his time in London.

Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Paul Pogba http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2554672-chelsea-transfer-news-latest-on-paul-pogba-and-john-stones-rumours? Aug 25, 2015 Chelsea are doing their utmost to facilitate a deal to sign Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba in the last knockings of the transfer window due to concerns Barcelona could snap him up next summer. That’s according to David Woods of the Daily Star, who wrote the Blues are “desperately” trying to sort something out before the deadline passes in a week’s time and are willing to break the bank to do so. It’s reported that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was initially only keen to part with £60 million for the Frenchman, but he could now offer a whopping £73 million. Chelsea’s interest will be understandable for anyone who has taken in their early matches. The Blues have looked a little lightweight in midfield, with Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic well short of the standards they set last season. As we can see here via Squawka Football, the former in particular is really struggling for form: Squawka Football ✔@Squawka Cesc Fabregas misplaced 16 passes vs. West Brom, Cheikhou Kouyate (18) is the only Premier League player to misplace more this weekend. Pogba would certainly stiffen up the Blues in this area of the pitch. During his time in Turin he’s become one of the most well-rounded midfielders anywhere in world football and he’d bring a much more comprehensive edge to the Chelsea engine room. Even for a sum as inflated as £73 million, the 22-year-old could still prove to be fine value for money. However, despite what would be a stratospheric offer, it’s claimed Juve are set to keep Pogba beyond this window. “There's no money able to get Pogba this year,” said an “Italian source” cited by Woods. “But he will be sold next year 100 per cent, with Barcelona his likely destination.” As noted by Bleacher Report’s Gianni Verschueren, given the sales made by the Bianconeri in this window, Pogba won’t be going anywhere: Gianni Verschueren @ReverschPass Just a reminder Griezmann's release clause was increased YESTERDAY and Pogba isn't moving with Pirlo + Vidal gone and Khedira injured. Sorry Rightly so, too. Turin remains the best place for Pogba to develop for the time being and this season there will be an added responsibility on him that'll only enrich his overall development. Chelsea may look to prise him away with a lucrative offer before the deadline, but Juventus have no need to sell and will stand firm as a result.

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Zamparini: ‘Allegri, grow up!’ http://www.football-italia.net/71558/zamparini-%E2%80%98allegri-grow-up%E2%80%99? Aug 25, 2015 Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini attacks Juventus’ Massimiliano Allegri: ‘It’s the Coach, not Paulo Dybala, who needs to grow up.’ Dybala left Palermo earlier this summer and Zamparini accused Allegri of being at fault for not starting with the young striker, who has been benched for their first two competitive matches. “If someone has to grow up at Juve, it’s not Dybala but the Coach,” Zamparini said to giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “Allegri is like all Italian Coaches, he believes he can influence the game but doesn’t understand that talented players should be left with freedom. “I bet on Dybala because I’ve never seen such a strong player at my Palermo. “Within two or three years he could become the new Messi. With him Juve have got a great deal.”

Cuadrado: ‘Welcome gives me strength’ http://www.football-italia.net/71556/cuadrado-%E2%80%98welcome-gives-me-strength%E2%80%99? Aug 25, 2015 Chelsea’s Juan Cuadrado is in Turin to complete a move to Juventus and says: ‘To feel so welcome gives me strength.’ The Colombia international arrived in Turin last night and is expected to undergo his medical with the Old Lady today before completing an expected €1.5m loan deal. “I wasn’t expecting such a welcome, but to feel the warmth of the people and of Italy, where I’ve always been accommodated very well, it makes me feel happy,” he said to Juventus’ official website. "Yes, of course, the enthusiasm of the fans will always be important for us, to feel as welcome as this gives me more strength to do well. "Juventus are a great team, one of the best teams in Europe. They have everything needed to fight for the Scudetto again. “Now we’re starting and we hope with God's help to defend everything that has represented Juventus, and to defend the title. "I expect to give my best 100%, to prepare well for every game and then the Coach will decide. “I just have to work 100% and play my game. Greetings and a hug to all the Juventus fans.”

JUAN CUADRADO IN TURIN FOR JUVENTUS MOVE http://www.juvefc.com/juan-cuadrado-in-turin-for-juventus-move/? Aug 25, 2015 Juan Cuadrado has arrived in Turin ahead of completing a loan move to Juventus. The Colombian winger touched down in Milan before making his way to Turin to complete his €1.5m loan move from Chelsea. Cuadrado is expected to complete his Juventus medical tomorrow before being presented by the club but it’s not yet clear whether the deal includes an option to buy the player. A group of Juventus supporters gave the player a lively welcome back to Italy before he gave his first Juventus interview.

Juventus confirm Juan Cuadrado arrival in Italy for loan from Chelsea http://www.espnfc.co.uk/story/2580118/juventus-confirm-juan-cuadrado-arrival-in-italy-for-loan? Aug 24, 2015 Juventus appear to be moving closer to the expected signing of Chelsea's Juan Cuadrado after releasing pictures of the winger being welcomed in Italy. Juve chief executive Giuseppe Marotta was quoted over the weekend saying the Champions League finalists were hopeful of landing the Colombia international on loan. The Turin club have now further declared their interest by releasing a brief clip of the 27-year-old apparently being mobbed by fans on arrival at Malpensa Airport in northern Italy. JuventusFC ✔@juventusfc È arrivato! E ha trovato subito un accoglienza straordinaria! #WelcomeCuadrado The tweet said: "He's arrived! He quickly found an extraordinary welcome! #WelcomeCuadrado." Cuadrado himself said he is looking forward to wearing the Juve shirt, while he was surprised by the reception he received from the club's supporters. "I didn't expect it but it was a great welcome and something that spurs you on perform well," he told Juve's official website. "Juventus are a great team and one of the best in Europe. We've got everything it takes to fight for the Scudetto and we hope to defend our title. I'm here to give 100 percent, work hard and prepare well for every game." Cuadrado, one of Colombia's star players at last year's World Cup, has failed to make an impact at Stamford Bridge since moving from Fiorentina for an initial £23.3 million in February. He signed a four-and-a-half year contract at Chelsea but it seems the club are already willing to allow him to play elsewhere.

Juventus confirm Cuadrado arrival The Bianconeri have reportedly agreed a loan deal with Chelsea for the Colombia international, who only arrived at Stamford Bridge in January. http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4682/transfer-zone/2015/08/24/14726632/-? Aug 24, 2015 Juventus have confirmed Juan Cuadrado's arrival in Italy ahead the winger's proposed move from Chelsea. As reported by Goal, the Bianconeri made a move for the Colombia international after the Blues decided to back down on their initial demand for a straight-cash deal and instead make the 27-year-old available on loan, but with a view to a permanent deal at the end of the 2015-16 season. Cuadrado thus flew to Italy on Monday evening and is now expected to finalise his transfer to the Italian champions on Tuesday. Indeed, Bianconeri announced upon the player's arrival at Milan Malpensa airport: "He's arrived. And he immediately found an extraordinary welcome." JuventusFC ✔@juventusfc È arrivato! E ha trovato subito un accoglienza straordinaria! #WelcomeCuadrado Cuadrado only joined the Blues in January, with the English outfit agreeing to pay Fiorentina an initial £23.3 million (€32m) for the versatile attacker. However, after struggling to break into Jose Mourinho's starting line-up upon his move to Stamford Bridge, the former Udinese ace slipped further down the pecking order following the signing of Pedro from Barcelona last week.

Cuadrado Set To Complete Loan Deal To Juventus http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/chelsea-midfielder-set-to-complete-loan-deal-to-juventus/? Aug 24, 2015 Juventus are edging ever closer to completing a deal for Chelsea midfielder Juan Cuadrado after the Bianconeri agreed a fee with the Premier League side. The Colombian International only joined the current English champions last January for an estimated €35 million, but has since found his playing chances limited and a summer departure now seems inevitable. Sky Sport Italia have confirmed that the former Fiorentina man will join Juve on a one-year loan deal for a fee of around €2 million. There is still the possibility that the player will join the club on a permanent basis following the end of next season, but a fixed fee has yet to be arranged. Juventus sporting director Giuseppe Marotta spoke on Sunday before the side’s loss to Udinese and declared that the transfer between the two parties is imminent. “Cuadrado will arrive on loan. It could be made official as soon as tomorrow,” said Marotta to Sport Mediaset.