Fernando Llorente

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente: It wasn't easy to adapt

The towering attacker scored his first goal for Juventus at the weekend
and admits he has found it tough to acclimatise to life in Italy since his summer move.

Sep 23, 2012

Fernando Llorente has admitted that he struggled to adapt to his new surroundings following his transfer from Athletic Bilbao to Juventus this summer.

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The Spain international scored his first goal for the Serie A champions since his Bosman move in the 2-1 win over Verona at the weekend after initially struggling to establish himself in the side alongside fellow summer signing Carlos Tevez.

However, Llorente is now determined to keep on working in order to reach peak condition and prove his worth after his confidence-boosting winner on Sunday.

"I normally take a bit of time to hit form and knew I’d have to work a great deal, also because I pretty much missed the whole of last season," the 28-year-old told the official Juventus website.

"In addition, I needed to settle in and learn the language, and adapting to a new environment is never an easy task for anyone.

"I’m getting on great here and feel the manager has faith in me, but I know I need to keep working to get back into peak condition."

[anual 0]

Will look into it

[Socrates 7974]

Welcome Anual!

[Socrates 7974]

Why Fernando Llorente Needs to Stay and Fight at Juventus

Oct 5, 2013

Fernando Llorente is gradually adapting to life in Turin.

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The Spaniard has endured a difficult beginning to his Juventus career, with fierce competition for at most two places in the side.

With Carlos Tevez almost guaranteed a start and Paul Pogba's form potentially swaying Antonio Conte towards a one-forward formation, the former Athletic Club striker will have to work hard to win a starting berth.

A turning point was the Champions League opener in Copenhagen when the Bianconeri were chasing a victory, but even with Mirko Vucinic out injured, it was Fabio Quagliarella who started before Sebastian Giovinco replaced the Neapolitan in search of all three points.

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It must have been somewhat discouraging to note that Conte needed to throw caution to the wind with attack-minded changes, yet the 28-year-old remained unused.

A lifeline was thrown the way of the Spaniard the following weekend and Llorente started the league clash with Hellas Verona.

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Del Bosque "Llorente has great qualities and can do well in any team, even in Juve. He just needs time & patience." - CdS

The Mastini have adapted superbly to life back in Serie A and posed a stern test for a Juve outfit who had struggled days earlier, but Llorente was a difference maker as he scored on his full debut, demonstrating what he can offer to the team.

In a cameo role versus Galatasaray on Wednesday, Llorente further enhanced his credentials as the Aslan looked to be on their way to a famous victory.

Llorente changed the dynamic of the game, posing a handful for Aurelien Chedjou and Gokhan Zan with his physicality.

The ability to link to the wide areas was also evident and can provide food for thought to Conte as Llorente gradually begins to force the Mister to consider giving him a starring role.

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With extra attention given to Llorente, the player was able to hold off the opposition by shielding the ball excellently and feeding Mauricio Isla and Kwadwo Asamoah at regular intervals—even if the wide pair failed to provide adequate service on a consistent basis.

The Quagliarella strike that appeared to have won the game for the Bianconeri involved Llorente in the build-up—with the striker attracting double marking on the edge of the area, the ball was shifted back out to the deeper, wider areas.

Andrea Pirlo had all the time in the world to take aim and float a wonderful cross that started towards the goal and curled back across the six-yard line for Quagliarella to head home.

That sort of variation to Juve's approach will be highly useful as the season develops and if Llorente can replicate that impact on a regular basis, he will eventually work his way into Conte's plans for the starting line-up.

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It is premature to think of an exit for Llorente, potentially a return to La Liga, as he has needed to shake off the rust that was accumulated by a stagnant season spent for the most part on the Athletic bench.

There have been enough signs in the limited opportunities given to the player, however, to suggest he has a bright future at the Juventus Stadium and that he could be a pivotal player for a side that is steadily evolving towards European contention.

Having waited so long for an opportunity at the elite level, Llorente should undoubtedly bide his time a little longer before seizing his chance that will inevitably fall his way.

[Socrates 7974]

Arsenal eyeing Llorente

Oct 11, 2013

Arsenal are seen as in the market this January for a striker and apparently are considering Juventus hit-man Fernando Llorente.

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The Spaniard has seen speculation surround his early work in Italy this season, with a failure to earn a regular place in the side believed down to struggles to get to grips with Antonio Conte’s demands.

Whilst links to the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid have been played down in Turin, reports in England today suggest that Arsenal are monitoring the situation.

The Gunners are reported by The Mirror as keen to strengthen their front-line in January and allegedly see Llorente as an ideal ‘stop-gap’ solution.

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente or only Tevez for Madrid

Oct 15, 2013

Antonio Conte is reportedly planning starting Fernando Llorente alongside Carlos Tevez against Real Madrid next week, or just the Argentine.

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Llorente has so far struggled for regular playing time since moving out to Serie A, but is seen as in contention for a starting berth come next midweek.

The Bianconeri will travel out to the Spanish capital for the third matchday in the Champions League group phase likely without Mirko Vucinic due to a thigh injury.

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During the international break, Conte is seen as having already begun preparations for the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu and is contemplating either a 3-5-2 or 3-5-1-1 set-up.

Should he go for the former, it is seen that Llorente will start against his compatriots, but that if Conte wants just the one striker up top, then it will be Tevez to start.

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente a worry for Del Bosque

Oct 18, 2013

Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque is concerned about Fernando Llorente’s situation with Italian giants Juventus.

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The forward moved to the Old Lady in the summer on a Bosman after his contract with Athletic Bilbao had expired.

However, he has so far failed to establish himself in the first team plans of Coach Antonio Conte.

“I worry about all those who do not play regularly,” he told reporters at an event in Las Palmas when asked about the centre-forward.

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“We are experiencing a phenomenon where a lot of our players are moving abroad,” continued the 62-year-old.

“It is not harmful, it enriches us, but there are players in great teams that face a lot of competition for places.”

Llorente has scored once in four Serie A games. He has been used for a total of 173 minutes in the Italian top flight and just 26 minutes in the Champions League.

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente on training and tactics…

Oct 22, 2013

Fernando Llorente has explained the reasons behind his initial lack of game time at Juventus following his summer move.

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The striker joined the club from Athletic Bilbao on a Bosman, but he has struggled to win a regular starting shirt in the plans of boss Antonio Conte.

Speaking to AS on Tuesday, the international noted that he has had to get to grips with new training methods and the intricate tactical side of the Serie A game.

“We work on strength very differently,” he noted. “I have never done that, used machines I did not know about. And there are other workouts that leave you exhausted.

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“The training is more demanding. It’s barbaric, the workouts are brutal, but it has an upside – you are left in better shape.

“As for the tactics, they require an adaptation. This team has been playing together for three years. Everyone knows how to play and to produce that game you also have to train a lot.

“It is a football that is highly mechanised. You cannot do whatever you want nor just have the ball. Each movement is studied.

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“The play ends as it has to end, and there are a lot of plays…”

A reason given for his lack of use at the start of the season was the fact that he was mainly left on the bench in Bilbao last term after he decided to let his contract run down.

“Even today I do not understand why. Athletic is a club based on their youth team and they cannot sell their best players. That’s the explanation I was given.

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“But I also think they wanted to show me, I believe, as an example to other players so that they would not opt to leave the club.”

Llorente is back in his homeland today as the Old Lady prepare to play Real Madrid – an outfit who had shown an interest in him.

“How many times have they tried to sign me? A few times, but in the end there was no agreement and nothing came out of it.

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“When? The last was when I had a year to go on my contract, after the good year in the Europa League.

“Then, later on [with six months on his contract] Madrid did not come in for me and Juve did and gave me more confidence.”

Juventus will go into the game tomorrow night on the back of a nightmare 4-2 loss at Fiorentina – a game they were leading 2-0.

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“We will arrive in Madrid good and strong despite what happened in Florence,” the 28-year-old added.

“We have not started too well in the Champions League with two draws against Copenhagen and Galatasaray, so we are hungry to get points and need to get points in these two matches against Madrid.”

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente: Real Madrid failed twice to sign me

Ahead of Wednesday's tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Juventus
striker has revealed that he has come close to joining the Blancos.

Oct 23, 2012

Juventus forward Fernando Llorente says Real Madrid failed "at least" twice to sign him from Athletic Bilbao.

The Bianconeri face the Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday in the third Champions League gameweek, as Antonio Conte's men continue to search for their first win in the competition this season following consecutive draws.

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The 28-year-old made the move from La Liga to Serie A on a free transfer this summer, but the Spain international has claimed that he came close to joining the Madrid giants on a number of occasions in the past.

"Yes, there was real interest," Llorente told AS. "In the end the timing wasn’t right, and something else came along.

"They tried to sign me at least twice. At first because it was impossible to leave Athletic. Over there, either someone pays your buy-out clause or you stay.

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"The last time was when I had a year left on my contract, the year we had a good run in the Europa League [2011-12].

"As my contract began to run out Madrid were no longer interested and Juve turned up and gave me more confidence.

"Joining Madrid was once a possibility, as they are one of the best teams in the world."

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Llorente has struggled to impress since his move from Athletic during the summer transfer window - sitting behind the likes of Carlos Tevez and Mirko Vucinic at times and failing to score regularly when he does start - but he insists he has Antonio Conte's support.

"He told me to relax and reminded me it was him who signed me," he continued. "He knows I’ve had a tough year and I knew that it would take me a while to return to my peak level of fitness."

Juve sit second in Group B but only one point ahead of third and fourth place.

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And Llorente said that the team are desperate to make amends for dropped points in Europe and Sunday's 4-2 defeat to Fiorentina.

"We’re going to go out feeling strong despite what happened in Florence," the Spaniard added.

"We haven’t started too well in the Champions League, we’ve only drawn with Copenhagen and Galatasaray, so we are hungry for the points and we need to pick up points from these two games with Real Madrid."

[Socrates 7974]

Arsenal to target Llorente

Oct 22, 2013

Fernando Llorente could be a January transfer target for Arsenal, at least according to stories in the British Press.

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The Daily Mirror have insisted this afternoon that the Juventus target man could be the subject of a bid from the Gunners during the winter window.

The Spain international has struggled to cement a place in the Bianconeri XI since his summer move from Athletic Bilbao.

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And Arsene Wenger believes that he can persuade the forward to join the Premier League leaders with the promise of more regular football.

The north London side are desperate to bring in another centre-forward, with Olivier Giroud as their only top-class striker.

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente relishing Juventus attacking system

The Spaniard says he is beginning to discover his best form at the fulcrum
of a three-man attack and described Giorgio Chiellini's red card as "incredible".

Oct 25, 2012

Juventus striker Fernando Llorente feels supporters are starting to see the best of him following his recent good form for the Bianconeri.

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The Spain striker scored in the defeat to Real Madrid when deployed as the focal point of a three-man attack and, while he admits recent results have not been good enough, he is relishing a return to a more familiar role up front after his early struggle for form this season.

"I feel at ease in the new system, I've played like this in the past," he told Tuttosport.

"In general, every time I go out on the field I feel better, like I've improved. It's not always easy to play, but I've worked so hard to do so."

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Llorente's return to action has helped rebuild his confidence after spending much of last season frozen out of the Athletic Bilbao side, but the 28-year-old feels the controversial red card issued to Giorgio Chiellini at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday left his efforts in front of goal irrelevant.

"It's true [starting helps to build consistency] but that's not the point. Scoring is important because it gives me confidence, but what is more important is to win and unfortuately we did not succeed against Real," he added.

"Sadly, this wasn't because of our own faults: the referee had a really bad day, the sending off of Chiellini was an incredible mistake."

[Socrates 7974]

Conte: Llorente mistreated by Athletic Bilbao

The coach says that the Bianconeri are only now seeing the best of the Spaniard
because he needed time to recover from his final season in La Liga.

Oct 29, 2012

Juventus boss Antonio Conte has claimed that Fernando Llorente was always going to need time to settle in Turin as the forward "was not treated well" by former club Athletic Bilbao.

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The Spain international, who joined the Bianconeri on a free transfer during the summer, was repeatedly overlooked during the early stages of the Serie A season.

However, Llorente, who fell out of favour with then-Athletic boss Marcelo Bielsa last season, has forced his way into the Juve starting line-up in recent weeks and Conte insists that he always knew that the striker would come good.

"I wasn’t lying when I said that we needed to be patient and wait for Llorente to return to the player he was before," the former Italy international told beIN Sport.

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"Last season was difficult for him as a footballer and professionally because he wasn’t treated well at Athletic Bilbao. He hardly played.

"He also needed time to become familiar with our system and the intensity of our training sessions."

Llorente, for his part, freely admits that it took him a while to feel at home in Turin and that Conte's continued support proved crucial in that regard.

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"I’m happy to be playing for this club," the 28-year-old told beIN Sport. "It is a great one who believed in me and that was the most important thing.

"Before arriving I regularly spoke with Conte and his belief in me pushed me to sign for Juventus.

"It was difficult at the start for me to settle in Italy. This was a new club, a new language - everything was tough.

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"But I feel much better and I want to demonstrate what I can do."

Llorente has netted two goals so far this season for Juve, with his most recent strike coming in last weekend's 2-1 Champions League loss to Real Madrid.

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente: Conte believes in me

Oct 29, 2013

Fernando Llorente has revealed how important Antonio Conte was in his decision to sign for Juventus.

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The Spanish international moved to Turin in the summer on a Bosman free transfer after his contract at Athletic Bilbao expired.

After initially struggling for action, the centre-forward is now appearing with much more regularity for the Old Lady.

“I’m happy to be playing for this club,” he told beIN Sport. “It is a great one who believed in me and that was the most important thing.

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“Before arriving I regularly spoke with Conte and his belief in me pushed me to sign for Juventus.

“It was difficult at the start for me to settle in Italy. This was a new club, a new language – everything was tough.

“But I feel much better and I want to demonstrate what I can do.”

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Conte had insisted that his reluctance in using the player at the start of 2013-14 was because Llorente needed time to rediscover his form.

“I wasn’t lying when I said that we needed to be patient and wait for Llorente to return to the player he was before,” the tactician stated to beIN Sport.

“Last season was difficult for him as a footballer and professionally because he wasn’t treated well at Atheltic Bilbao. He hardly played.

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“He also needed time to become familiar with our system and the intensity of our training sessions.”

Llorente has two goals in eight appearances for the Bianconeri so far this term.

[Socrates 7974]

Arsenal target January loan move for Llorente

The Gunners have taken the first steps to capture the Juventus striker as they bid
to reinforce their front line and are also keeping tabs on AC Milan's Stephan El Shaarawy.

Nov 4, 2012

EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey

Arsenal are targeting an ambitious January loan move for Fernando Llorente as they prepare to reinforce their front line, Goal can reveal.

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The Premier League leaders have taken the first steps towards capturing the Juventus striker in the forthcoming window.

Goal understands that the Gunners have made preliminary contact with Llorente's representatives in a bid to secure proven back-up to spearhead Olivier Giroud for the second half of the season.

Arsenal are also keeping close tabs on a second Serie A forward, Stephan El Shaarawy, although his club AC Milan are only likely to sell in January if they get eliminated from the Champions League before Christmas.

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Arsene Wenger’s priority remains to capture a marquee striker after moves for Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain, Stevan Jovetic and Wayne Rooney all fell through last summer, while the Gunners were also unable to agree a last-ditch loan deal for Chelsea’s Demba Ba.

Wenger is well aware of the difficulties in landing A-list options in the notoriously difficult January window, when the big clubs are reluctant to sell their best players.

As reported by Goal, Arsenal accept that Liverpool will not sell Suarez to them in the new year and, despite receiving encouragement that Wayne Rooney is still unsettled at Manchester United, have turned their attention to more realistic alternatives.

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Llorente has emerged as a possible short-term option even though he would be cup-tied for the Champions League.

The 28-year-old has had a difficult time in Turin since his summer transfer on a free from Athletic Bilbao and Arsenal, who enquired about signing him 12 months ago, have been alerted to his potential availability.

With Carlos Tevez the first-choice striker at Juventus, Llorente has had to compete with Mirko Vucinic and Fabio Quagliarella for a regular starting place.

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After beginning the campaign out of favour, Llorente has started seven of Juventus' 16 matches, including a run of four consecutive starts before he was dropped to the bench for the 1-0 win at Parma on Saturday.

But the Spaniard, keen for a bigger role as he bids to return to the Spain side for the World Cup, has scored only two goals for the Serie A champions, and Arsenal are hopeful they might be open to the possibility of loaning him out overseas.

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'LLORENTE SHOULDN'T QUIT JUVE'
Luis Herrera | Goal Spain

A move to Arsenal in January would be a huge mistake for Fernando Llorente. True, he has struggled at Juventus, but that could be expected after an awful final year with Athletic Bilbao. Llorente saw plenty of action in October and it's a matter of time for him to get more comfortable with his new team. A move to Arsenal not only would be a second start from scratch in six months, it also would mean not being able to play in the Champions League, all just a few months before the final selection for the World Cup. Right now, Llorente's safest bet is to stay at Turin.

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente: Juve have real quality

Nov 5, 2013

Fernando Llorente thinks Juventus will have an opportunity to underline their quality in tonight’s Champions League tie against Real Madrid.

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Although they have collected just two points from three games so far – thanks to draws against Copenhagen and Galatasaray – the striker is still looking for qualification.

“We are playing at home and we must show that we are a strong side,” the summer signing from Athletic Bilbao told Onda Cero.

“Right now there are three games left and every point is vital to us.

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“Against Madrid we cannot make any mistakes – we have shown that we can play a good game, like we did in the Santiago Bernabeu.”

Although happy with the club’s display in Spain two weeks ago, the Old Lady returned to Turin with a 2-1 defeat.

“The referee did not have his best day at the Bernabeu and it did penalise us,” Llorente argued. “It meant I had to be substituted off and there was anger on the sidelines.”

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Llorente was used tentatively by boss Antonio Conte following his Bosman arrival, but he’s been used with regularity in recent weeks.

“I feel better every time I play,” he added. “And I want to improve with every appearance, trying to score goals and gain more and more confidence in this team.

“It is not something that is done overnight.”

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente not for sale

Nov 7, 2013

Juventus director general Beppe Marotta insists the club have no plans to cash in on Bosman capture Fernando Llorente.

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The striker joined the club in the summer after his contract with Athletic Bilbao expired. Rumours in recent days have suggested Arsenal are showing an interest in possibly making a €20m bid for him.

“But the player is not for sale,” the club official is quoted as saying by Tuttosport on Thursday. “He’s never been available.

“He will stay here with us. There is great faith in the boy and he is reaching his peak condition. We’re very happy with him ad his progress.”

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Llorente initially struggled for action upon his arrival in Turin, but he has been used with increasing regularity by boss Antonio Conte.

The Spanish international has one goal in eight Serie A games, but has struck twice in three Champions League ties – both of those came against Real Madrid.

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente only at 60 per cent

Nov 7, 2013

Summer signing Fernando Llorente has assured Juventus fans that there is still much more to come from him this term.

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The striker, netted on a Bosman from Athletic Bilbao, is now starting to play more regularly after being used cautiously by boss Antonio Conte at the start of the campaign.

And, after scoring a goal in each of the two Champions League games against Real Madrid, he’s told Tuttosport that he is still not near his best.

“These goals give you confidence, but I’m still not in top form,” he noted. “Two years ago, I was offering a superior level of football in the Europa League.

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“I feel better with each game, but I know what I can offer and I’m aware that I can still make improvements.

“Let me say that I’m only at 60 per cent…”

Llorente netted the crucial equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Real in the week, a result which keeps their Champions League hopes alive.

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“It was a good result, but the important thing was that we showed we were on the same level as a great side.

“I think if Casillas wasn’t playing, we would have won the game. He was extraordinary, especially in the first half when he made some incredible stops.

“Now we have two tough games coming up, but I’m hopeful. We are working as a team and everyone is giving their all.”

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente: Juventus believe in me!

Nov 8, 2013

Arsenal target Fernando Llorente isn’t anticipating a transfer away from Italian giants Juventus anytime soon.

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The Premiership club have been paired with a €20m swoop for the striker who only joined the Turin outfit in the summer from Athletic Bilbao.

“I’ve not been asked to leave,” the Bosman free signing told Radiogaceta de los Deportes in an interview.

“What is being written in the papers is false. I have the complete faith of everyone at Juventus.

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“It was not easy for me to adapt to the movements and plays of the team, but I’m slowly managing to do what the boss wants.

“Once I have completely settled then everything will go well.”

Llorente has been used regularly by boss Antonio Conte recently and he may again get a starting shirt in the tie against Napoli at the weekend.

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“It will be a game against a high-level opponent,” he added. “There will be a lot at stake in this encounter.”

Juventus are currently joint second with the Azzurri – three points behind a Roma side who could potentially end the Old Lady’s quest for a third successive title.

“Winning a hat-trick of Scudetti would be an historical achievement,” the 28-year-old continued. “It has not happened at Juventus since the 1930s.”

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente given Spain place

Nov 11, 2013

Juventus forward Fernando Llorente has been called up to the Spain squad for friendlies with Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.

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The Bianconeri goalscorer was originally omitted from Vicente Del Bosque’s original squad, but has been given a late berth following an injury to Atletico Madrid man Diego Costa.

The Roja go to the mid-African country this week ahead of a game on Saturday, before going to the Johannesburg next Tuesday.

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente: Tevez & I are great together

The Spaniard has talked up his professional relationship with the Argentine
and insisted his recent purple patch in front of goal is not a coincidence.

Nov 11, 2013

Juventus striker Fernando Llorente has talked up his strike partnership with Carlos Tevez and played down suggestions he is unhappy at the club.

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The Spain international scored the opening goal in the Bianconeri's 3-0 thrashing of Napoli on Sunday, with Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba sealing an impressive win for the reigning Serie A champions.

Arsenal were prompted by the forward's struggles to break into Antonio Conte's first team and want to sign him on loan in January, despite having only joined the club in the summer, but Llorente insists he is comfortable in Turin and says he has worked hard to turn his form around.

"I always try to help the team with my movement," he told Sky Sport.

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"My improvement is no coincidence, but came from hard work. I get on very well with Carlos Tevez and I am happy to be at the club."

The victory over Rafa Benitez's men moves Juve to within point of Serie A leaders Roma after Rudi Garcia's men dropped points at home to Sassuolo and the 28-year-old is aware of the importance of beating a title rival.

"Roma drew earlier and we knew that we had a great opportunity to close on them," Llorente added. "A win, especially against Napoli, is very important, even if there’s a long road yet to the Scudetto."

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente surprised by Spain call

Nov 12, 2013

Juventus striker Fernando Llorente wasn’t expecting to be selected for Spain’s friendlies versus Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.

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The forward was a late addition to the squad after Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa was ruled out with an injury.

“I’m very happy to be back,” he stated on Wednesday. “I did not expect it and I was caught by surprise.

“Now it is very difficult to be here, I have to fight a lot, but the year is long and there is time to prove myself.

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“It is always a joy to return to the national team. I have had a normal period of adaptation at Juventus and now I feel fully settled.

“What I thought was to try to adapt as quickly as possible knowing that this was normal, that it would be tough, but that in the end things would work out with the work I was doing.”

The 28-year-old, after initially struggling in Turin following his move from Athletic Bilbao, has scored four goals in 12 games for the Old Lady.

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente explains Juventus truth

Nov 14, 2013

Fernando Llorente has revealed the difficulties of settling in at Juventus. “Being last choice was mortifying.”

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The big Spaniard moved to Turin in the summer on a Bosman free transfer after his contract with Athletic Bilbao expired.

However, he struggled for playing time at the start of the campaign as boss Antonio Conte opted for different solutions in attack.

Speaking to the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport on Thursday, the 28-year-old says it took him some time to adjust to the physical demands on Italian football.

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“I was in good shape when I arrived for pre-season, I felt strong, but my body was not used to so much work and at one stage in America I felt empty, totally rundown,” he revealed.

“If the body doesn’t work then your mind reacts as a consequence and I started to have doubts. The competition for places was also frightening, there are five of us and it is not easy to find space.

“The training at Juventus is totally different to what it was at Athletic Bilbao,” he added. “You never get a break and my body couldn’t take it.

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“I moved forward by working and because I felt the faith of everyone. Then, evidently, my body was able to switch, let us say that it accepted the radical changes and I started again.

“I was given a few games, minutes and the more I played the better I felt. I found my rhythm even if I had a few problems at the beginning adjusting to the mentality.

“I had the fortune of getting the chance to play when I was finally finding my form again, then the injuries to Mirko Vucinic and Fabio Quagliarella helped.”

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There were reports that Llorente was already considering a January move away from the Italian giants given his anonymous start.

“I didn’t want to leave, but I was disappointed because being the last choice striker is mortifying,” he continued.

“The important thing was to not let my head drop and to keep fighting, working hard as I think hard work always pays.

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“Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane suffered initially at Juventus too, then I knew that Serie A was different, that getting used to it would take time and be a struggle.

“It’s harder to score in Italy, you often defend with five. Conte explained to me that patience would be needed for me to adapt to Serie A. He stayed close to me.”

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Llorente added that he had been left impressed by the whole environment in Turin and by one player in particular.

“Andrea Pirlo. I saw his qualities from the outside, but he makes a real impression in training. It’s striking because he never makes a mistake. You have to be left amazed by his free-kicks.”

The centre-forward has scored four goals in 12 games for the Bianconeri.

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente: I was ready to quit Juventus

The Spaniard has revealed that he was ready to leave Turin after a tough introduction
to Italian football, but is happy to now have fought his way into the Bianconeri line-up.

Nov 14, 2013

Fernando Llorente has admitted that he was ready to throw in the towel at Juventus after experiencing a difficult start to life at the Serie A champions.

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The Spain international, who joined the Bianconeri on a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao during the summer, struggled to live up to the high expectations in the opening months of the 2013-14 campaign and spent most of his time on the bench.

However, he then broke into the starting XI following injuries to Mirko Vucinic and Fabio Quagliarella, so now he's pleased with how things have panned out.

"I could hardly train as my body simply couldn't keep up. My body was not used to working so much and I felt completely drained. I had a lot of doubts and was ready to throw in the towel," Llorente told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

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"Also because there is a lot of competition for places. We are with five attackers and it's not easy to break into the team.

"But then [coach] Antonio Conte considered me again and that gave me a lot of energy. I was fortunate enough to get more playing time. Vucinic and Quagliarella's injuries gave me the chance to prove myself.

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"I got more game time and started feeling better with each minute I got. I have found the right rhythm now."

Llorente has netted four goals in 12 appearances in all competition for Juventus so far this season.

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente sees future alongside Tevez

Nov 18, 2013

Fernando Llorente is confident he and Carlos Tevez will prove to be an effective strike-force for Juventus.

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The duo joined the Italian giants in the summer, but the Spaniard has had his problems adjusting to the Italian game.

“We have played a few matches together,” Llorente, signed on a Bosman from Athletic Bilbao, told AS.

“He is a great player and I think that we can improve in playing together. I am comfortable featuring alongside Tevez.”

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The international last week admitted that he had struggled to cope with the training demands of boss Antonio Conte, but he insists working with Marcelo Bielsa in Bilbao has aided his adjustment.

“The ways of Bielsa are not like a Spanish Coach,” the 28-year-old commented. “Bielsa was an intermediate step that helped me to prepare a lot for what I have found in Italy.

“If I had not had Bielsa, I would have had a much harder adaptation to the work in Italy. Until I adapted, I could not find a good physical condition.

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“I feel better now. But my best is still to come. I still need to reach the top.”

Llorente has four goals in 12 games for his club so far this term.

[Socrates 7974]

Llorente: Costa should play for Brazil

The 28-year-old was not surprised by the striker’s decision to play for Spain,
but admits if it was him in that situation, he would have chosen the nation of his birth.

Nov 18, 2013

Fernando Llorente says Diego Costa should have elected to play for Brazil rather than La Roja.

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The Juventus striker is anticipating even more competition for a place in the national side following the addition of the Atletico Madrid forward, after he earned a call-up for friendlies against Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.

And Llorente has now revealed he could never contemplate playing for anyone else other than the nation of his birth.

“Of course, he’s had an amazing start to the campaign and the fact that he has chosen to play for Spain puts all of the strikers on full alert,” he told AS. "Now it is much harder to win a place with Spain.

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“I wasn’t really too surprised to be honest.

“He has spent several seasons in Spain and looking at how our national side is playing, everyone wants to play for Spain and Diego Costa has the possibility of being one of them.

“He’s playing at a high level and has decided that he wants to play for Spain.

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“For me personally, I would have chosen my own country if I had been in his place but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.”

The 28-year-old also revealed his delight at returning the national team, as he continues to adjust to life at Juventus.

“I’m delighted to be back with the national team. The past year wasn’t easy for me but the change, going to one of the big teams in Italy has worked out well because it will help me to grow as a player.

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“I feel much better now but my best is yet to come. I need a few more games under my belt to get back to my peak.”

The former Athletic Bilbao striker then spoke about the emotions of returning to the scene of Spain's 2010 World Cup victory in Johannesburg.

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“Being with the national team is always incredible – wherever they play. We’re all delighted to be here and we all want to put in a good account of ourselves.

“Returning to South Africa is wonderful. As soon as we arrived the memories came flooding back – winning our first World Cup is the greatest thing that has ever happened to us.”