I Was Frustrated At Leaving Juventus, Reveals Giovinco

Empoli midfielder Sebastian Giovinco spoke about his disappointment at leaving the Bianconeri this summer, but also revealed that he is now maturing into a better player with his new club.

Sebastian Giovinco is one of the most interesting young players to have come out of Italy in the past few years and Empoli are trying to get the best out of him before he returns to Juventus at the end of the season.

However, the young Under 21 star declared that he did not want to leave the Old Lady this past summer, even though in the end it helped his career.

"The frustration of leaving Juventus was there, but only because I left a great club and my family," revealed the Empoli player. "However, I believe that I made the right choice because here at Empoli the young players grow well."

Giovinco then spoke about his height of 164cms.

"Now I got used to it, but even the small players can do well and in Italian football there are many examples, even in the recent past."

One of these players was surely Gianfranco Zola who has often been compared to Giovinco.

"The comparison honours me, also because I see Zola with the Under 21 national team and he was an incredible player.

"However, the comparison does not exist because Giovinco still has a lot to prove. I hope to continue like this," concluded the young midfielder.

www.goal.com - 11/12/2007 06:30

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Important Victory For Our Morale - Del Piero

Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero talked about yesterday's 1-0 victory over Atalanta, which came courtesy of a late goal by Pavel Nedved.

There's always talk surroundig the transfer market and new players, but at Juventus time and time again it's the old guard that ends up being decisive for the team's victories. The most recent example of this came only lasst weekend, when a strike from distance by midfielder Pavel Nedved a few minutes before the end of the match against Atalanta handed the Old Lady a 1-0 win.

Captain Alessandro Del Piero, who started from the bench yesterday, commented his performance: "I'm happy about my performance, but I'm especially happy for Pavel and that he scored the winning goal: the match was very tough because Atalanta were well organized and showed they deserve to be in the position they are now."

Meanwhile, Inter are continuing to win and are 8 points ahead of Juve, although both Roma and Fiorentina have slowed down. But Del Piero thinks the victory against Atalanta can give the team a big morale boost for the remainder of the season.

"We only broke the deadlock in the final minutes against Atalanta, but this is a victory that gives us confidence and morale for the rest of the season," he concluded.

www.goal.com - 10/12/2007 21:39

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Ranieri: I Only Signed Tiago After Sissoko Failure

Claudio Ranieri has made the startling revelation that he only signed Tiago Mendes because of the failure to get Liverpool’s Momo Sissoko.

Tiago signed for the Bianconeri in the summer from French champions Lyon in a big-money move.

The Portuguese international was expected to provide some much needed power and authority to the Juve midfield, however he has been a complete disaster and has made only seven appearances, with just two of these being starts.

His misery was compounded yesterday when he was brought on as a substitute against Atalanta in injury time.

“Tiago? I brought him on yesterday to hold the ball and he did very well,” said Ranieri.

“I wanted both Tiago and Almiron, no one is left out in the cold, but Nocerino and Zanetti are playing very well. I play whoever gives me the best possibility of winning.

“It is true that in the summer we spent a lot on Almiron and Tiago, but how much are Zanetti and Nocerino worth?

“With Tiago we were thrown into buying him after we were told we had to spend €32m on Sissoko.”

It will be interesting to see how Ranieri’s latest comments go down with Tiago, but the 26-year-old is nevertheless expected to move on during the January transfer window.

www.goal.com - 10/12/2007 18:40

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Mellberg Not Ruling Out Juve Move

Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg refused to rule out a move to Juventus next season when asked about his future. The Swedish stopper’s contract with the Villans ends at the end of the current campaign, meaning that from January onwards he will be able to negotiate with other clubs about a Bosman free transfer move.

The Italian press firmly believe that Mellberg will move to Juventus, and the 30-year-old is being coy about his future.

"The situation is the same as before. The focus is on Aston Villa, then we will see,” he replied.

"I understand that there are many rumours since I am out of contract at the end of the season."

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill however is hoping that his centre-back will stay at the club.

"I don't know if there is anything in the Juventus link and Olof will tell me in his own time if that is the case. Players are free to make decisions here,” O’Neill said.

"This is an important contract for Olof. He has been here seven years and, in terms of the commitment he has given since I've been here, I couldn't ask any more.

“He might think that seven years is a long time at one club in this day and age.

"But I will still think, if we can come up with something which is reasonably suitable, that he might stay at Villa. But if he chooses to go, all he has to do is just let me know.”

www.goal.com - 10/12/2007 18:19

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Magnin In Juve Link

Resurgent Italian giants Juventus are reported to have developed an interest in Swiss inernational defender Ludovic Magnin.

The storied Turin club are looking to add a player of international experience to their options for left-back in anticipation of European football next season, and the 28-year-old Stuttgart star not only fits that criteria, but he would be available on a ‘free’ to boot.

With what looks increasingly likely to be a permanent move for Giorgio Chiellini to central defense, the Bianconeri are looking a little light in the left-back department. Christian Molinaro and Domenico Criscito are both highly promising players, but with youth almost inevitably comes inconsistency due to lack of experience.

Magnin has caught the Old Lady’s eye during their scouting missions to Germany to keep tabs on Diego and Van der Vaart, and there are rumours that they could be planning a move as early as January.

VfB Stuttgart have always maintained that they are not looking to seel one of their most consistent performers. That being said, they have been unable to agree terms with the former Werder Bremen defender, who is also on the wish-lists of Olympique Lyon, Hertha Berlin, Bayer Leverkusen and FC Basel.

www.goal.com - 10/12/2007 04:26

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Lampard To Juve: Pay Me And I'll Join

Reports in Italy suggest that Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has told Juventus that he will join them if they match his €7m a year wage demands.

The Italian press have been covering this story for several weeks now, and they are adamant that a transfer in the summer is virtually nailed on.

The goalscoring midfielder is ready to quit Stamford Bridge after the departure of Jose Mourinho and would like a fresh challenge in a foreign country.

Juventus have unsuccessfully tried to lure Lampard to Turin in the past but with his contract expiring in 2009, the Bianconeri would only need to fork out around £9m to get their man.

The key person in luring Lampard to Turin is Juve Coach Claudio Ranieri. It was the Tinkerman who was responsible for launching the East Londoner’s career when he signed him from West Ham in 2001.

The pair have an excellent relationship and Lampard was said to be devastated when Ranieri was axed by Roman Abramovich in 2004.

Juventus have made the signing of a top-class centre midfielder a priority as summer signings Tiago Mendes and Sergio Almiron have dreadfully failed to shine.

Cristiano Zanetti and Antonio Nocerino have done well in the middle-of-the-park but they do not posses the goal threat that Lampard brings to the table.

The 29-year-old, who has scored 20-goals plus for the last two seasons, was on the scoresheet again at the weekend during Chelsea’s 2-0 home win over Sunderland.

www.goal.com - 10/12/2007 11:57

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Lampard Almost Certain to Move To Juve - Report

Chelsea star Frank Lampard is almost certain to move to Juventus next season, according to Tuttosport. Under new FIFA transfer rules, as Lampard is over the age of 28 and has already seen out most of his contract, he would be able to leave Chelsea for a cut-price fee.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich has set his stall out to create a more exciting and universally appealing brand of football at Stamford Bridge, and one of the major casualties of this change will be Lampard, who is known more for his substance than for his style.

The 29-year-old is keen to experience a new challenge abroad and would relish the chance to hook up with old boss Claudio Ranieri, the man who was responsible for launching his career when he signed him from West Ham in 2001.

According to Tuttosport, Lampard has agreed to move to Juventus next season providing they up their wage offer of £4m a season to £4.7m.

This miniscule difference is unlikely to cause problems, and the only thing that can now stop the East Londoner from moving to Turin is if Juventus fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

www.goal.com - 08/12/2007 12:52

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