Juventus handed over its Serie A crown to Inter Milan last season, just when the Old Lady was preparing a celebration of ten Scudettos on the bounce.
But former Bianconeri playing legend and head coach Antonio Conte spoiled the party as he guided I Nerazzurri to the title in spectacular style. That was a serious blow to the Old Lady, and she is showing signs of plotting a revenge mission, strengthening her squad and keeping hold of two legendary old stagers.
The Serie A 2021 betting odds back a Bianconeri title, and if the news that Cristiano Ronaldo is set to stay in Turin is confirmed then the odds will surely harden. He is back in pre-season training but while the transfer windows around Europe are wide open there is constant speculation around the future of every big star in the top leagues.
Ronaldo’s contract runs out in 2022 and the Old Lady might be tempted to cash in if a big money offer arrives, but it would make more sense to keep one of the most prolific player Juventus have seen for a while, onside.
As last season drew to a dramatic close there was some doubt whether I Bianconeri would qualify for the Champions League; but they secured a top four place on the final day and that might be enough to keep CR7 at the Allianz Arena. With 29 goals he won the Capocannoniere last term and he’ll surely be in the race again this season.
Juventus are also expected to table an offer for out of contract defender Giorgio Chiellini who, like Ronaldo has reached his 36th birthday. But, unlike the Portuguese striker, he is out of contract. After leading Italy to Euro 2020 glory the centre back is taking an extended break, but on his return the club will likely ask him to sign a new deal. He was this SBOTOP writer’s player of the tournament at Euro 2020 and it makes perfect sense to me for Juventus to keep hold of another club legend.
Another former player might well be on his way back to Juventus. Dealmakers at the club have, so far, failed to come to an agreement with Sassuolo to bring Azzurri star Manuel Locatelli to Turin, and that might mean a return for Miralem Pjanic. The Bosnian midfielder had four successful seasons with Juventus and has not settled well since his transfer to Barcelona last summer. With the Catalan club desperate to balance the books they would welcome some incoming funds and the deal would suit I Bianconeri just fine.
Eriksen set for tests
Some encouraging Serie A 2021 news is emerging from the San Siro where Denmark star Christian Eriksen is undergoing tests to see if he can continue to play football at the very highest level. The creative midfielder was a key player in Inter Milan’s title success, but when he collapsed on the pitch during Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland he needed CPR on the pitch before being taken to hospital in Copenhagen. His recovery was the best news that football fans around the world have shared over the summer, but few thought he might be able to play again. But Eriksen has been fitted with an ICD defibrillator, similar to the case of Ajax midfielder Daley Blind who suffered a similar condition. Now doctors are taking the Dane through a series of intensive tests to check whether it is safe for the 29 year old to play again.
Are Juve still plotting a Super League?
Back in Turin some rather less heart-warming news emerged as it seems Juventus, along with La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona have not given up on the idea of a European Super League. The football world was rocked on April 18th when Juventus and 11 other clubs sprung the unpleasant surprise that they were set to launch their breakaway league and the backlash, particularly in England where five clubs were involved with the dirty dozen, was ferocious.
The clubs wanted their cake as well as eating it, suggesting they could play in the proposed Super League as well as domestic football, while players seemed to think they could represent their national teams too. But governments got involved while former players voiced their disgust at the blatant greed of these clubs and, three days later the plans were in ruins.
But a court in Madrid has just ruled that disciplinary proceedings against the 12 breakaway clubs must be scrapped and the case will now be taken to the European Court of Justice, which has a habit of making bizarre judgements; and that news has encouraged Juve, along with the two La Liga clubs, to vow to carry on with their dastardly plans.
If I sound unimpressed by this ‘project’ well I am! And I suggest Juventus concentrate on Serie A, as you can be sure that Inter Milan have a plan to keep the Scudetto away from the Old Lady.
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