Socrates

Juventus want to sell Pogba, claims Laporta The Barcelona presidential hopeful believes the Serie A champions will sell the midfielder, but wants the club to wait until after the election process before making a move. http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4682/transfer-zone/2015/06/28/13126972/-? Jun 28, 2015 Juventus have indicated that they want to sell Paul Pogba this summer, according to Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta. The France international, 22, has been one of the biggest talking points of the transfer market with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain all heavily linked with signing him. Barca are also among the clubs leading the chase but Laporta is concerned with reports that members of the interim board will be travelling to Turin on Wednesday to negotiate with Juve prior to the July 18 election. The ex-president - who is bidding to oust Josep Maria Bartomeu as the Catalans' chief - said earlier this week he was confident of signing Pogba if elected due to his close links with agent Mino Raiola, but believes the club should be waiting until after the vote before making any formal approach. "I have a bad feeling about what the interim management board are up to," Laporta said at a charity event in Barcelona in reference to the recent Pogba reports. "It is an improper way for an outgoing board to act. "I hope they do not continue along this path. They have already sold Gerard Deulofeu [to Everton for €6 million] and now they want to sign players who are worth large amounts. "It is abnormal that a management board not elected by the members do these things. It may upset members. "All I have said is that I have very good relationship with Pogba's agent Mino Raiola. I don't think that Juventus will do anything until there is a new Barca president. "Juventus have given an indication they want to sell, but I don't think it will be until after June 19."

Real Madrid Interest Causes Delay In Bonucci Renewal http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/06/real-madrid-interest-causes-delay-in-juventus-defender-renewal/? Jun 28, 2015 Real Madrid’s interest in Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has reportedly caused a delay in the player’s negotiations to sign a contract renewal with the Old Lady. The 28-year-old, whose current deal with the Bianconeri is set to expire in June 2017, has been steadily linked with a possible move to Los Blancos in recent weeks and it seems like the Spanish giants are on the verge of making a very serious offer for his services. According to Tuttosport, Juventus remain ready to extend the Italian international’s contract until 2019, though talks for a renewal have stalled now that Real Madrid are apparently prepared to sign him on a four-year deal worth €30 million. Reports suggest that the Turin giants are keeping a close watch on Bayern Munich defender Mehdi Benatia in case of Bonucci’s departure and would be ready to bring the former Roma man back to Italy as soon as possible if necessary. The centre back managed to score three goals in his 34 Serie A appearances for Juve last term.

Isco and Oscar would be perfect Juventus 'wildcards' - Allegri The head coach of the beaten Champions League finalists has revealed his interest in adding an attacking midfielder to his squad this summer. http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4682/transfer-zone/2015/06/28/13125242/-? Jun 28, 2015 Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed Juventus are in the market for a new attacking midfielder and highlighted Real Madrid playmaker Isco and Chelsea star Oscar as ideal potential signings. The Scudetto and Coppa Italia winners went painfully close to winning the treble in 2014-15, losing to Spanish champions Barcelona in the Champions League final. Now Allegri has openly revealed his admiration of creative talents Isco and Oscar, in addition to Sassuolo's Domenico Berardi and Fiorentina's Federico Bernardeschi. With Carlos Tevez leaving for Boca Juniors and Andrea Pirlo expected to join New York City, the head coach is keen to freshen up his tactical approach and playing squad next season to replace the departing established stars. "I would like a footballing inventor - they are never boring," Allegri told La Repubblica. "A wildcard in the line-up can bring a different balance to the table. "Ego in moderate amounts is not harmful to a team's health. I like Real Madrid's Isco and Brazil's Oscar, while among the young Italians there is much to admire in Berardi and Bernardeschi. "The addition of a No.10 to the mix is both a tactical desire and a desire to add ego to my team. "Without Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo this coming season, Juve must change and experiment with new ways of working." Despite being a firm fan favourite, Isco has been linked with a Real Madrid exit after spending two seasons without cementing a place in the starting XI when every player is fully fit, although Rafael Benitez's arrival as head coach could change his status. Oscar featured 41 times for Chelsea last season but has been heavily linked with Juventus, though his agent recently denied the Brazil international will be leaving Jose Mourinho's side. The Turin club relinquished their co-ownership of Berardi to Sassuolo for €10 million in June but are widely expected to buy him back for €18m in 2016, while Bernardeschi has been persistently rumoured to be heading for Fiorentina's exit door.

Why Carlos Tevez Should Have Stayed at Juventus for Another Season http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2508363-why-carlos-tevez-should-have-stayed-at-juventus-for-another-season? Jun 28, 2015 In Europe, we’re spoilt with most of the very best talents in the world game, but that doesn’t make it any less disappointing when we lose one. All footballers and all people, whether it involves moving continents, countries, cities or towns, have an urge to return home eventually, and that is why Carlos Tevez’s decision to reunite with his family and rejoin his old club Boca Juniors—whom he first played for at 16 years old—can only be viewed as nothing but a happy one. It’s just, well, he’ll be missed. Tevez’s nine-year European career might end up being viewed as one of controversy, of off-field acts and deeds—not always his own—dictating his future, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that he has been one of the best forwards on the continent in the past decade when he’s allowed himself to be and certainly one of the most watchable. From pitching up alongside Javier Mascherano at West Ham United in 2006 and being thrown into an uncomfortable photograph with Alan Pardew, Tevez’s European career always seems to have been one that has gone against the grain. You’ve never quite known what would happen next. After Mascherano quickly jumped ship to Liverpool, Tevez stayed and scored the goals that kept West Ham up, relegated Sheffield United and created a legal battle the likes of which the Premier League has never seen before or since, as detailed by the Independent's Jason Burt. As that rumbled on, he joined Manchester United, making waves there for a couple of seasons before doing probably the most disruptive thing he could have done and forcing through a move to "noisy neighbours" Manchester City through his now infamous representative Kia Joorabchian. On the other side of the Manchester divide, there were goals, inflammatory signs during victory parades and the failure to get off the substitutes’ bench in Munich when instructed to do so by then-manager Roberto Mancini, and so the Tevez story went on. All of this we remember, of course, but it was when the forward moved to Juventus two summers ago that we started to see a new, slimmed-down Tevez 2.0. He now looked simultaneously leaner and hungrier, and he scored 50 goals in his two seasons in Turin—winning two Serie A titles and reaching a Champions League final. Perhaps it was a simple case of improving with age, but a more likely explanation is that Juve found a way to get the best out of the Argentinian by creating their team around him, thereby keeping Tevez motivated and dedicated to the cause. His experiences in Manchester add weight to this theory. Upon arriving at Old Trafford in the summer of 2007, Tevez quickly clicked with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney to form an often devastating attacking trio that helped United to win both the Premier League and Champions League with what was arguably Sir Alex Ferguson’s last truly entertaining side. Only the regular back four of Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown started more league games for United that season than Tevez, whose 19 goals in all competitions was the second-highest at the club after the rapidly evolving Ronaldo’s extraordinary tally of 42. But Ferguson—perhaps because of off-field reasons more than anything happening on the pitch— decided that things needed to change and sanctioned the £30 million signing of Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham Hotspur. It was a move that often forced Tevez to the sidelines and resulted in fitness and form problems throughout a 2008/09 season in which his impact largely came from the bench. He became unhappy and wasn’t afraid to show it. Perhaps with the notion of spiting Ferguson, the City move then allowed him to showcase his talents as one of the main men again. He scored 29 goals in his first season and 23 in his second, all the time earning the love of City’s fans and the scorn of United’s as he did so. There were still the dramas, obviously—such as a transfer request halfway through his second season in December 2010, as reported by BBC Sport—but they were largely indulged because of his talent and importance to the cause. However, when City signed his compatriot Sergio Aguero in the summer of 2011, things began to go sour. With the dislike for Ferguson becoming less relevant, and Aguero and January 2011 signing Edin Dzeko making his position at the club less vital, the form and fitness issues came back, culminating in the farcical night at the Allianz Arena in September 2011 when he refused to get off the substitutes’ bench to warm up. Despite how it appeared that night, Tevez’s City career continued for a while longer, but the club would never see the best of him again—something that Juventus fans have been treated to since he moved to Turin in 2013. And that is why it is a shame he is cutting his union with the club short this summer, especially after he helped drag the Old Lady kicking and screaming back to the grandest continental stage imaginable. The Tevez of Juventus was a different player to the one of West Ham or either Manchester club, but there is a strong argument to say he was better. Faster, stronger and fitter, he would produce wonderful moments of inspiration, such as a fine goal when running from the halfway line against Parma or the burst that earned him a penalty—which he converted—in the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. We’ll still see that at Boca, of course, but from a purely selfish viewpoint, it would have been nice to have seen the 31-year-old leading Juve’s assault on the Champions League again in 2015/16. There is a sense that he didn't show what he was capable of for much of his time in that competition. His choice to return to South American football should be respected and applauded. Bar one half of Sheffield and a few bruised Manchester United fans, Europe will miss him, and no one here will forget him in a hurry.

Andrea Pirlo to sign with New York City FC next week http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/6/28/8858269/report-juventus-midfielder-andrea-pirlo-to-sign-with-new-york-city-fc-next-week Jun 28, 2015 Andrea Pirlo is inching ever closer to making his move to the United States and New York City a reality. He's about to go from playing at one of Europe's best stadiums to one that seats 50,000 and is meant for baseball and that's about it. Yes, Pirlo and Major League Soccer are about to be one of the same, according to a report from ESPNFC on Saturday night. It is the latest step in what media both state-side and in Italy have been saying ever since the Champions League final that has the legendary Italian midfielder departing his homeland this summer and heading to the Big Apple. The MLS expansion franchise plan to annouce the deal on either Wednesday or Thursday, the source said. Pirlo, 36, will sign an 18-month contract with NYCFC, taking him through the 2016 season, with an additional option for 2017, according to the source. The midfielder will being training with the team on July 21 and be eligible to make his debut on July 26 when NYCFC hosts fellow expansion side Orlando City at Yankee Stadium. Of course, Pirlo's quote after the loss to Barcelona in Berlin where he said "Were my tears a goodbye to Juventus? No, they were for the defeat." takes on a little bit of a different meaning than before all of this stuff about him moving to MLS started picking up serious momentum. Pirlo — whose contract with Juventus is due to expire next summer as the European championship gets underway — would be the third big-time yet aging Designated Player, joining former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard and Spanish striker David Villa. The move to the U.S. will end what has been a fantastic and trophy-filled four-year stint with Juventus for Pirlo, who arrived on a free transfer after Milan somehow decided he was past it. Four years filled with trophies, victories over some of the best in Europe, another chance to win the Champions League and plenty of passes over the top of the defense to a darting-forward Stephan Lichtsteiner. They were good times, without a doubt. But now they are inching toward officially being over. And, in turn, Pirlo will be heading to Yankee Stadium instead of Juventus Stadium for his home games. That will definitely be a change of pace.

Andrea Pirlo to sign MLS contract with NYCFC next week http://www.espnfc.co.uk/story/2506518/andrea-pirlo-to-sign-with-nycfc-next-week-source? Jun 28, 2015 Italian star Andrea Pirlo will sign with New York City FC of Major League Soccer next week, a source with knowledge of the deal told ESPN Deportes' Roberto Abramowitz. The MLS expansion franchise plan to annouce the deal on either Wednesday or Thursday, the source said. Pirlo, 36, will sign an 18-month contract with NYCFC, taking him through the 2016 season, with an additional option for 2017, according to the source. The midfielder will being training with the team on July 21 and be eligible to make his debut on July 26 when NYCFC hosts fellow expansion side Orlando City at Yankee Stadium. Pirlo has won the Serie A title with Juventus in all four of his seasons there after playing 10 years for AC Milan. He won the 2006 World Cup with Italy. Earlier on Saturday, ESPN FC reported that it was only a matter of time before Pirlo put pen to paper on an MLS contract. He has one year left on his contract at Juventus but is very close to Bianconeri president Andrea Agnelli, who would not stand in Pirlo's way if he wanted to join MLS this summer, especially as the Italian champions have already signed Sami Khedira as a possible midfield replacement. Pirlo will be NYCFC's third Designated Player. He'll join former Chelsea legend Frank Lampard in the midfield and give the club a trio of European stars with Spanish striker David Villa also on the books. Pirlo attended the Yankees' Old-Timers' Day celebrations last Saturday before going on holiday in Miami. Speaking on Thursday, MLS commissioner Don Garber was hesitant to confirm any pending deals when asked about Pirlo. "I don't want to spend a lot of time talking about a player that I don't know will be here," Garber said. "Clearly [Pirlo's] a world-class player who just played in the Champions League final. He's a legend. I'm not gonna worry about rating him or talking about him until he makes a decision and New York City makes a decision as to whether or not he's gonna be here."

Bonucci: Conte Revived The Spirit Of Juventus http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/06/bonucci-conte-revived-the-spirit-of-juventus/? Jun 27, 2015 Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci believes that former coach Antonio Conte is responsible for reawakening the spirit of the Old Lady during his three-year stint at the helm of the club. The Bianconeri were able to win three consecutive Serie A titles under the 45-year-old, who made his exit from the Turin giants in July 2014 and became head of Italy’s national team a month later, and Bonucci insists that the solid foundation laid by the tactician has helped the team fight to become one of the top clubs in Europe even after his departure. Bonucci spoke to Tuttosport about Conte’s lasting contribution to Juventus and praised the current Azzurri boss for bringing a winning mentality back to the team. “If you wanted to understand Juve’s mentality, just look at our historic phrase,” said the Italian international. “It tells us that winning isn’t important, but it is the only thing that matters. Conte reawakened the spirit of this team when he had arrived in 2011. “Juve was still made of many good players back then, but it lacked togetherness, along with a certain mentality. “Antonio Conte brought us back to the top, he introduced a totally different way of thinking and the results are still seen.”

Tevez é ufficialmente un giocatore del Boca Juniors. Di Pirlo non si sa ancora niente di ufficiale.

Man of the moment Tevez seals dream move & Copa America redemption in one night The striker's return to Boca Juniors was announced shortly before he converted Argentina's winning penalty against Colombia. http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2015/06/27/13088182/dream-night-for-man-of-moment-tevez?ICID=TP_HN_1 Jun 27, 2015 By Kris Voakes at the Estadio Sausalito Both off the pitch and on it, it turned out to be Carlos Tevez’s night. The Argentina striker was sat watching from the substitutes' bench for much of the Copa América quarter-final against Colombia, but he was still making headlines long before he entered the fray. Boca Juniors announced early in the second half that they had re-signed Tevez from Juventus 10 years after he had left the club for Corinthians. It was a move he had longed for over a period of some months. Having warned Juve earlier this year that his existing contract – with its 2016 expiry date – would be the last he would sign in Europe, the Italians were forced to battle to hold on to him - even for the final year. On Friday, they officially lost their battle. But the more immediate concern for Tevez remained Argentina's own battle on the field. Never had they deserved a victory more, but they couldn't break through and were ultimately taken all the way. Gerardo Martino's side had been utterly dominant in the first half. They asked so many questions of Colombia that it seemed impossible they would fail to score. Somehow, their opponents made it to the interval unscathed. Whether it was by last-ditch defending, cynical fouling or – most notably – David Ospina’s fantastic goalkeeping, they managed to just about hang on during the opening 45 minutes. The overzealous refereeing of Roberto Garcia didn't help much. One minute he was booking everyone in sight, the next he was allowing players to kick their way through the contest. It was a similar story after the break, but Colombia survived against the odds. Nicolas Otamendi’s header was tipped onto the bar by the irrepressible Ospina, while Ever Banega’s effort from distance grazed the same goal frame. There were more goal-line clearances and last-ditch panic reactions to thwart the Argentines and lead Jose Pekerman’s side to a penalty shoot-out. One of the best 0-0 draws in some time was also a magnificent advertisement for the concept of extra-time. Even 30 more minutes might not have sated the appetite of the fans in Vina del Mar, but the format of Copa America sent us straight to penalties, where there was even more drama. Luca Biglia and Marcos Rojo both squandered chances to win the contest after Luis Muriel’s dreadful miss and Sergio Romero’s save from Juan Zuniga. Jeison Murillo then sent his effort on the same trajectory as Muriel’s, giving Argentina yet another opportunity to finish it off. Up stepped Tevez. The man who missed the crucial penalty as his country was eliminated from the 2011 version of the same competition. The man who has had such a battle just to be considered for international selection over the past four years. The man of the moment after his Boca Juniors deal was wrapped up and signed off. He found the back of the net and started the double celebration. Argentina deservedly progress to the semi-finals, but the nervous nature in which they finally won says there is still work to do. They were excellent in 90 per cent of their play, but have scored only twice in their last three games. One has to believe it will take a more clinical touch to take them all the way this time around. For now though, it is Tevez’s moment.

Buffon Has Long Future Left With Juventus According To Agent http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/06/buffon-has-long-future-left-with-juventus-according-to-agent/? Jun 27, 2015 The agent of Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that he can see his client remaining at Juventus beyond his extended contract that lasts until 2017. The 37-year-old opted to extend his deal in November last year and previously revealed that he had plans to retire at 40 and although his agent has revealed it is too early to discuss it, he feels that there is plenty more mileage in the Juventus-Buffon partnership. “It is too early to talk about it [buffon playing in the 2018 World Cup and a further deal], the deal was only recently signed,” Silvano Martina told maidirecalcio.com. “It is clear what the lad wants, he has never had any problems with the Bianconeri and therefore I think that the partnership is destined to last much longer.”

Barca given Pogba deadline http://www.football-italia.net/68350/barca-given-pogba-deadline? Jun 27, 2015 Spanish and Italian papers claim Barcelona want to buy Paul Pogba, leaving him at Juventus until 2016, but there is an ultimatum. Presidential candidate Joan Laporta is using Pogba as a way to get himself elected back to the top of the Blaugrana hierarchy, openly confirming his intention to buy the midfielder. According to Tuttosport and Mundo Deportivo, the offer on the table is worth €90m plus performance-related bonuses, so close to the famous €100m price-tag. As Barcelona are currently locked down by a transfer embargo, the move would not actually go through until June 2016, thereby leaving him in Turin for one more season. They’d also get ahead of the competition, represented by Manchester City and Real Madrid, for the 22-year-old French talent. Tuttosport maintain Juventus have given agent Mino Raiola a deadline to ensure the speculation does not continue throughout the summer. Pogba must have a deal in place by mid-July or the Bianconeri will shut down any chance of his departure.

OFFICIAL: Carlos Tevez is heading back to Boca Juniors http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/6/27/8855355/carlos-tevez-juventus-boca-juniors-serie-a-transfers-2015 Jun 27, 2015 When Juventus signed Carlos Tevez, it was pretty much a certainty that it was his last European stop before he headed home to the club he grew up at, Boca Juniors. He signed a three-year deal, then he would head back home in the summer of 2016 and that would be that. As it turns out, the homecoming is happening 12 months earlier than initially thought. Boca Juniors have announced on Friday night the deal we've been expecting for weeks now. Tevez, who Juventus signed two summers ago from Manchester City, is going back to the club he started at. No word on a transfer fee — if there will be any — just yet,after Boca President Daniel Angelici said Tevez's return wouldn't cost the club a single euro. Tevez, who had one year remaining on his contract, had an amazing two years with Juventus. He 50 goals in his two seasons, ranking atop the Serie A scoring charts in both the 2013-14 and 2014-15 campaigns. He was, without question, one of Juventus' best players over that time span, with his goals and grinta leading Juventus to another two Serie A titles and the Champions League final. (At least he doesn't have to hear about his European scoreless drought anymore. So he's got that going for him, which is nice, I guess.) But the lingering uncertainty surrounding his future was present both this summer and last. Like I said, he was always going back to Boca, but we just didn't think it would be this soon. Even as rumors of Atletico Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain getting into the mix to try and bring the 31-year-old Tevez to Spanish and France, respectively, it was always going to be Boca Juniors Tevez was going to play for next season if it wasn't Juventus. And now, here we are. Tevez is heading home and Juventus is preparing for life with a front line of Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Álvaro Morata. (Yeah, I think it's safe to say Juve are going to be okay without Tevez, even as hard as it will be to fill all the holes Carlitos' departure will leave.) We'll always have the good times, Carlos. Thank you for giving your all and enjoy all the beautiful beaches in Argentina.

Boca Juniors announce Tevez signing The famous Argentine club announced via their official Twitter account that the striker has returned to La Bombonera, where he made his name as a player, having left Juventus. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2015/06/27/13089662/-? Jun 27, 2015 Carlos Tevez has left Juventus to return to Boca Juniors, the Argentine club have announced. A message posted to Boca's official Twitter account in the early hours of Saturday morning welcomed the striker back to La Bombonera. Boca Jrs. Oficial ✔@BocaJrsOficial #TevezVuelveACasa Ya es una realidad. Es oficial: Carlos Tevez (@carlitos3210) vuelve a #Boca. The tweet reads "#TevezReturnsHome. It's a reality. It's official: Carlos Tevez returns to Boca". The announcement was made during Argentina's Copa America quarter-final clash with Colombia, which went to penalties and was settled by Tevez himself, who scored his sudden-death effort to secure a 5-4 victory. Boca Jrs. Oficial ✔@BocaJrsOficial Lo dijimos cuando entró: @carlitos3210, jugador de @BocaJrsOficial, ingresa en @Argentina para ganar el partido. #TevezVuelveACasa We said it when he came on: Tevez, the Boca Juniors player, goes on for Argentina to win the game. Tevez joined the youth ranks at Boca in 1997 and spent three years in the senior team between 2001 and 2004, winning the Copa Sudamericana and Libertadores as well as the Intercontinental Cup. He signed for Brazilian outfit Corinthians at the start of 2005, before sealing a controversial move to West Ham in the 2006-07 season, alongside compatriot Javier Mascherano. Tevez played a key role in the the Hammers' Premier League survival that season but the club avoided a points deduction despite breaching England's third-party ownership rules in recruiting the two Argentina internationals. The forward moved on to Manchester United that summer and spent two seasons on loan at Old Trafford before sealing another controversial transfer, this time across town to Manchester City. His time in England was to be shrouded in controversy, though, and he missed a large part of the 2011-12 campaign after refusing then boss Roberto Mancini's orders to warm up during a Champions League clash against Bayern Munich. After falling out with Mancini, failing to secure a transfer away and receiving a hefty fine, Tevez returned from a long spell in Argentina to help the club win their first Premier League title. After a final season in the Premier League he moved to Juventus in 2013, forming a key part of title-winning teams under Antonio Conte and Max Allegri. Last season he scored 29 times as Juve won the Serie A title and Coppa Italia, although they were beaten in the Champions League final by Barcelona. During his time in Europe Tevez won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Champions League, two Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia.

Juventus 2014-15 Season Ratings: The Centerbacks http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/6/26/8849861/juventus-2014-15-season-ratings-the-centerbacks-bonucci-chiellini-barzagli-caceres-ogbonna Jun 26, 2015 Winning teams have one characteristic — a strong defense. Juventus are of course no exception and for the fourth consecutive year, Juventus had the best defensive record in the peninsula, and one of the best defenses in Europe. This is even more impressive considering that Juventus moved from a 3-man defense to a 4-man defense during the season. So, without further ado, here are the rankings: Leonardo Bonucci - 7.5 In my opinion, this was the year that Bonucci became a world-class defender. The times in which he held on to the ball for one touch too many, or that he tried to dribble past one too many players is gone. With that being said, he was still a huge source of creativity for the team. Bonucci played the most minutes of any Juventus player (3,015) averaging 59.2 passes per game. For the record, his number of passes is fourth highest after Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio and Giorgio Chiellini. Unsurprisingly, he is the one playing the most long ball after Pirlo (5.5 for Bonucci and 7.9 for Pirlo). This creative output was instrumental in breaking Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Max Allegri opted to bypass the midfield and create scoring opportunities from the back starting with Bonucci. This year, Bonucci was also a big-game player when it came to scoring goals. His four goals came against: Roma, Milan, Lazio, and Fiorentina (in the Coppa Italia). He scored the winning goal against Roma when the game seemed to end in a draw. Against Milan, he scored the goal three minutes after Luca Antonelli equalized. He certainly knows how to carry the team when things are not going as expected. Giorgio Chiellini - 7.5 Another monster at the back. If there was ever a player that would make Montero proud, it would be King Giorgio. He is that player that makes you think twice whether you want to venture into that side of the pitch. He is the fourth player with most tackles (2.1 per match) in the team and the player with most interceptions (2.6 per match). He also has the most clearances and blocks (tied with Bonucci) in the team. In the attacking department, Chiellini is not as prolific as Bonucci, however, his only goal came in the Coppa Italia to draw Juventus level against Lazio. Although Andrea Barzagli did fine against Barcelona, I will always wonder what could have happened if Chiellini was fit to play the Champions League final. i guess we'll never know. Andrea Barzagli - 7.5 Although his time on the field was limited by a nagging injury, when Barzagli was on the pitch his presence was felt. He only played a total of 770 minutes in Serie A, likely because of his injury and because of the change in formation to a four-man defense. With that being said, when Barzagli stepped onto the pitch I had a sense of peace that things were going to work out just fine. His positioning and reading of the game made it easier for him to return to good form despite his lenghty injury. Martin Cáceres - 6.5 What could be Martin Cáceres' season without injuries? Every year he gets into some decent form he ends up getting injured. I really hope that next year he will be able to have an injury free season to see what is truly capable of doing. Regardless, this was not his season. He had just about as many minutes as Barzagli and is now expected to recover sometime this summer. His versatility made him a starter under Allegri for the first three matches of the season. During that time he did quite well specially in the first match of the season against Chievo Verona. He also was a starter in Juventus' first Champions League match of the season against Malmo. But then injuries started, first a hamstring injury which will sideline him until January. Once he recovered from this injury he was back as a starter for the whole month of January and then his second injury came. A malleolar fracture would see Cáceres miss the rest of the season from early March onwards. His offensive output in his limited playing time was one goal against Napoli. He also scored a goal against Chievo Verona that will be later ruled as an own goal. With Daniele Rugani's impending arrival, it is very likely that this will be Cáceres' last season as a center back and that Allegri will try him as a fullback in the future. I just hope that he can have a full season without lengthy injuries to finally see what his real contribution can be. Angelo Ogbonna - 5.5 This could have been Ogbonna's season. He had plenty of time to adjust to the club and its mentality. He had plenty of opportunities to challenge for a spot and make it his own. He had plenty of chances to put in an impressive performance in the Coppa Italia and show that he can at least play the games before or after Champions League matches. Instead, he did nothing of the sort. Do you know how many minutes Ogbonna played this season? Go ahead, take a guess. I would have said between 800 and 1,000 minutes. No, he played a whooping 2,060 minutes (25 Serie A matches, 4 Coppa Italia, and 1 Champions League). Why I think he played so little? Because he was so ineffective. I don't remember a solid game, an impressive performance, I can't even remember a solid tackle or an impressive clearance. Quite the opposite, I mostly remember him for his casual jogging when Juventus played against Fiorentina in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal. This display of laziness was the final nail in the coffin. I for one would be glad to make any money we can and ship him elsewhere. I wouldn't be surprised if he is a hit in England. From what I've seen of Rugani, he will have no problem displacing Ogbonna farther down the pecking order. This of course would be great for the youngster as he may see close to 2,000 minutes of play time next season if he can be as "good" as Ogbonna was this season. Luca Marrone - s.v. No minutes, no rating.

Carlos Tevez won't cost Boca Juniors 'one single euro,' says Angelici http://www.espnfc.co.uk/story/2505313/carlos-tevez-wont-cost-boca-juniors-anything-says-angelici? Jun 26, 2015 The return of Carlos Tevez to Boca Juniors won't cost the Argentine club "not even one euro" because the club is covering his remaining value with a percentage of young players, Boca president Daniel Angelici told ESPNFC Radio. Angelici, who said that Tevez will be presented at his boyhood club either July 6 or 7, assured that Boca won't pay anything for Tevez. "I said from the beginning that I wouldn't discuss the transfer until it was done and the very next day what I read in the media was that the Tevez transfer would cost Boca €5 million in addition to a percentage, but I want to clarify that this transfer won't cost Boca a single euro," Angelici said. "They [Juventus] put a value similar to amortization of the balance due and we covered that by giving them some players and the promise of younger players and we are looking into equalising the rest of the contract that way." Tevez joined Boca as a youth in 1997 before agreeing a move to Brazilian side Corinthians in December 2004, and then on to Premier League clubs West Ham, Manchester United and Manchester City before signing for Juve in 2013 for £12 million. Tevez scored 19 and 20 goals in his two seasons in Serie A and helped Juventus to two Serie A titles and one Coppa Italia. He has always spoken of a desire to return to the Buenos Aires-based club while still capable of performing at a high level. The 31-year-old's current remaining contract with the Bianconeri is estimated to be worth €5 million. "Everything I do, I do for the good of the club. I am the same person as when I was club treasurer, I know the club finances. I am not going to go crazy. When I go after a player, I am strong and I am convinced. You are all going to see because it will be public. We have had a solid administration over the past three years, we are going to close out with 63 million (Argentine pesos) in profit," Angelici said. "We always said that if Carlos won titles in Italy, Juve would not put up obstacles, so we are very grateful for his return to Argentina. "I have been in contact with Carlos, he is focused right now on Copa America as it must be and I hope he can bring that back too. Once he finishes he will have five or six days of holiday because he played Champions as well. Then we will have his signing and presentation July 6 or 7 followed by a farewell match in Bataglia on July 8." Angelici said a July 15 match is also in the works vs. Quilmes and added that he is working on making sure Tevez can wear No. 10 as he did in his first stay with Boca.

Barcelona’s Braida To Accelerate Negotiations For Juventus Ace http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/06/barcelonas-braida-to-accelerate-negotiations-for-juventus-ace/? Jun 26, 2015 New Barcelona sporting director Ariedo Braida is due to travel to Italy in order to meet Juventus over Paul Pogba. Braida had already expressed his wishes to see Pogba wear the Blaugrana shirt in the past, as well as candidate for the Barcelona presidency Joan Laporte made the Frenchman’s capture an electoral promise. With Real Madrid also on the prowl however, Braida has decided to journey to Turin in person. Braida is due to arrive in Italy on Wednesday to accelerate negotiations for Pogba, according to Mundo Deportivo. The Spanish media reported that the negotiations in question will see Braida propose a deal that will see the 22-year-old midfielder join Barcelona in 2016, with the Catalan giants currently banned from registering any player until January.

'We must target Juve's Pogba' http://www.football-italia.net/68305/we-must-target-juves-pogba? Jun 26, 2015 Joan Laporta claims Barcelona can't shy away from the race for Juventus' Paul Pogba: 'We must target the player'. The Spanish politician is looking to take the reins of the Blaugrana as President again, after holding the role from 2003 to 2010. His bid to bring Pogba to Barcelona appears to be one of his most emphatic points. “I have a good relationship with [Pogba's agent Mino] Raiola,” he told Spanish radio Onda Cero. “If there is a possibility we must try to bring Pogba to Barcelona, because he has some fantastic qualities. “[Former footballer and assistant Eric] Abidal has already been in talks with some of the players we are following, I'm not sure if he's spoken with Pogba yet. “In any case we must target the player, and we're working on it. “If he had to choose between us and [Manchester] City, I'm sure he'd come to Barca.”

Man City take lead in Pogba race http://www.espnfc.co.uk/blog/transfer-talk/79/post/2504556/manchester-city-take-lead-in-chase-for-juventus-paul-pogba? Jun 25, 2015 There has been a fair bit of talk from Manchester City about how they needed to improve after last season, and bringing in Paul Pogba from Juventus wouldn't exactly be a bad start to that process. A report in the Sun says City are "close to winning the £60 million battle" for the France international, once of Manchester United, and claims boss Manuel Pellegrini feels he has seen off competition from United, Barcelona and Real Madrid. It adds that City are hopeful a deal for the 22-year-old star can be tied up before they make another attempt to pry Raheem Sterling from Liverpool. Bear this in mind, though: Only a few days ago, Juventus managing director Giuseppe Marotta said Pogba had told the club he would not be leaving in the summer. But in surely not unrelated news, the London Evening Standard notes that Chelsea have opened talks with their Brazil international midfielder Ramires. Those talks? Well, they're about a new contract -- and the Standard says they're designed to ward off anticipated interest from ... Juventus, as they prepare for Pogba's departure.

Rossi Advises Pirlo To Join MLS http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/06/rossi-advises-juventus-star-pirlo-to-join-mls/? Jun 25, 2015 Italian international Giuseppe Rossi believes Andrea Pirlo would be making the right decision if he moved to the MLS. Rossi, who was born in America, played alongside Pirlo for Italy and is adamant it would be a great experience for Pirlo should he move to America. “I think he would be making a good choice if he went to the MLS.” Rossi told Sky Sport Italia. “It would be a great experience for Pirlo if he were to go to America. “Football in America is making huge strides forward and Pirlo could help the development of the game in that part of the world. “Pirlo is one of the best players of his generation, he would add so much to football in America. “We all know ho good Pirlo is and I am sue he would be a great success in the MLS. “If he joined New York City he would be joining one of the best teams in the country.”

Chelsea Ready Cash-Plus-Players Bid To Prize Away Pogba http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/06/chelsea-ready-cash-plus-players-bid-to-prize-away-juventus-star/? Jun 25, 2015 Chelsea would be looking to steal the march on all other competitors for Juventus’ Paul Pogba, reportedly readying a cash-plus-players bid to lure the Frenchman out of Turin. With the candidate for the Barcelona presidency making Pogba’s capture an electoral promise and Real Madrid also eager to join the race over the highly rated midfielder, it would seem Chelsea may present the most interesting proposal to the Bianconeri. Chelsea would be willing to enter negotiations with a structured deal to seal Pogba’s signature, according to the Daily Mail. The English media reported that Juventus target Oscar would be made part of the deal, with an added €42 million accompanying the bid. Alternatively, Chelsea would also be willing to throw in Ramires into the deal, with Juventus having expressed a desire to swoop for the Brazilian duo in the past.

Juventus Legend Backs Pirlo’s MLS Switch http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/06/juventus-legend-backs-pirlos-mls-switch/? Jun 25, 2015 Former Juventus player Alessandro Del Piero backed Andrea Pirlo’s reported move to MLS side NYCFC, rubber stamping the legitimacy of the 36-year-old’s decision. After an impressive season when Juventus narrowly missed out on a treble when they lost the Champions League final to Barcelona, Pirlo would be ready to call an end to the Bianconeri chapter of his career. Del Piero maintained backed Pirlo to make the right decision while also praising the rising stature of MLS, as well as commenting on Juventus’ upcoming season without the Italy international. “The city [of New York] is great and MLS is growing,” said Del Piero to Sky Sport Italia. “The Scudetto [and winning it again] will very much depend on the transfer market campaign and the other players [and their hunger] in the team. “The synergy created in the group and during the training camp will be key.”

Real Madrid President Eager To Challenge Barcelona For Pogba http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/06/real-madrid-president-eager-to-challenge-barcelona-for-juventus-star/? Jun 25, 2015 After Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta promised Juventus’ Paul Pogba to the Blaugrana should he win the election, Real Madrid have not given up in the fight for the French midfield dynamo. The prior interest from English clubs seems to have died down after they were priced out of a deal and it is now the turn the two La Liga giants to wax lyrical about signing the Bianconeri star, with President Florentino Perez plotting a move to bring Pogba to the Spanish capital. Sport.es report that Perez is willing to give up the €31 million buy-back clause on Juve striker Alvaro Morata as part of an €80m bid for the former Manchester United man. Furthermore, Perez has already discussed personal terms with the Frenchman’s agent Mino Raiola, who has outlined a contract worth €12m annually after tax which would make Pogba one of the highest paid players in football as Los Blancos would have to pay around double that figure due to Spanish tax rates.

Giovinco: Pirlo asked me about MLS The Toronto star has acknowledged that his ex-team-mate has been in touch over the state of the game in the USA and is eagerly anticipating his arrival. http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/06/25/13045302/-? Jun 25, 2015 Sebastian Giovinco has revealed that former Juventus team-mate Andrea Pirlo recently contacted him to enquire about playing in MLS. Italy midfielder Pirlo is set to leave the Serie A champions for New York City FC and he got in touch with his compatriot first to find out what the game is like in the USA. "He has sent me a message, but not from New York just now," Giovinco told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. "He asked me a while ago how I was and how things are here. I told him that playing in MLS is a great experience, something he should try. "I don't think I was the one who convinced him to make the move, though. I am looking forward to playing against him. "You cannot compare the level of play to that of the European leagues, but I am convinced that this can become an important league in the future. There is not as much quality and tactical discipline as in Europe, but the organisation is pretty well. "They should change some rules to facililate the arrival of more players from abroad, like the salary cap. Pirlo seems set to complete his move to New York in the coming days, joining former Barcelona and Spain star David Villa at the new franchise.

Laporta Promises Barcelona He Will Deliver Pogba If Elected http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/06/laporta-promises-barcelona-he-will-deliver-juventus-midfielder-if-elected/? Jun 25, 2015 Joan Laporta, back in the running for a second stint at the Barcelona presidency, has promised that if elected, he will bring Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba to the Camp Nou. The Champions League winners’ presidential election takes place next month on July 18 with Laporta, who held the position for seven years, one of the favourites for the position and Pogba is not the only promise he has made – insisting Eric Abidal will be installed as sporting director if he takes over. Interviewed about his campaign on Radio Catalunya, he said: “I know that Pogba would love to come to Barcelona and I have a great relationship with [his agent] Mino Raiola. “It would be the best reinforcement for us and I believe that he would fit in very well with our style of play.” Pogba has been closely linked with moves to Barca, Real Madrid, PSG and a host of English clubs during this summer transfer window already.

Juventus Playmaker Yet To Finalise Terms With New York City Over Move http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/06/juventus-playmaker-yet-to-finalise-terms-with-new-york-city-over-move/? Jun 25, 2015 Juventus star Andrea Pirlo is getting ever closer to signing a lucrative deal with Major League Soccer outfit New York City FC. There are some fine details to iron out before an official announcement is made, but Pirlo is fully expected to complete his transatlantic switch over the coming days. According to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport, the former AC Milan and Inter player will sign an initial contract lasting almost 18 months — from this summer until November 2016 — but is still negotiating the terms by which a possible additional year extension would be triggered. The 36-year-old has enjoyed a highly successful career for club and country, having won almost every major honour in the game. His four seasons with Juve has seen the Bianconeri claim four Serie A titles in succession, as well as the Coppa Italia during a double-winning campaign last season.