FanPost

A Juventus Christmas Wishlist In July

It was a solid season for our Bianconieri on the domestic front, winning a third straight Scudetto and doing so in record fashion. Rival sides like Inter, AC Milan and Torino had fairly down seasons, but the chances of them facing back-to-back struggles are highly unlikely. Berlusconi and Thohir will loosen the purse strings into an all out assault on transfer want-away's, and if Juve do not do the same, the chances of retaining their domestic glory, along with any hope of making a legitimate impact in Europe, will be dashed before they can really take shape.

Roma were Juve's biggest competition last season, but were still far off the 107 points tallied by the boys in black and white. However, with the transfer window only a few days young, the Giallorossi have already begun to make a splash. Recently Ashley Cole has completed a move from Chelsea after a contract refusal at the club. Along with that, AC Milan have brought in foreign want-away's Jeremy Menez and Alex, two experienced but talented players who will no doubt be able to make an impression in the first team. Erick Thohir and his Inter side have already had scheduled medicals with Yann M'Vila (a personal favorite I might add) and Roma defender Dodo, two more squad additions that will add depth and quality. The point of this recap being that the other Serie A sides are stopping at nothing to regain a place atop the league, and Juve will need to stockpile both young and talented players to hope to continue there as of late underrepresented run of dominance in the league, and create the depth necessary to survive a formation change in the Champions League and the ultimate fatigue that we saw come into play towards the end of last season. Here are players Juve should or are already targeting.

  • LB, Patrice Evra (Manchester United) - At 33 years of age, Evra's best years are behind him. However, the instability Juventus have at left back is a need that must be addressed now, and Evra is a solid option. With reports indicating Juve have already agreed on terms of a contract with Evra's camp, they wait only Manchester United. Evra has been a solid marker his entire career, and even though his speed has dwindled, he is like a rock in defense. Evra also has the ability to streak down the wing a la Stephan Lichsteiner and create chances for his teammates. He posted a 83.5% Pass Success rate (per WhoScored) last season in the premier league. In defense, Evra saw a slight drop off, with only 2.4 tackles per game in the Premier League. However, that ballooned up to 3.2 tackles per game when facing advanced competition in the Champions League. Despite his age, Evra represents a solid option at left back, one who could fill the time while Juventus find and develop an actual replacement, or until a new tactic is developed.
  • LW, Juan Manuel Iturbe (Hellas Verona) - With reports that Juve have tabled a €21m for the Argentine starlet, it is clear that Antonio Conte is prepared to switch to the 4-3-3, whether that be in European competition alone, or both foreign and domestically remains to be seen. Iturbe is one of the paciest wingers not only in the Serie A, but in all of world football, and he's only a year or so removed from being one of the most highly touted and sought after prospects in the world. Iturbe netted 8 goals to go with 4 assists in league play last season, posting an average match rating of 7.31, one of the highest among wingers in the Serie A. If the conversion to the 4-3-3 is to be made, they'll need a boy who can shoot the ball conservatively and efficiently, as well as deliver the ball to the other wingers and strikers. Iturbe completed 0.8 successful crosses per game, not exactly top tier, but with Carlos Tevez not exactly a prime aerial threat, that can be overlooked. The positive statistic is that Iturbe completed 73.3% of his passes, showing he is a risk taker, but that those risks, especially with a more talented roster, will be more likely to pay off. He is always a threat in the box to get fouled, and with Arturo Vidal at the penalty spot, you are as good as gold. Is the price tag high? Yes, it most certainly is, but with the promise Iturbe possesses, he is well worth it.
  • ST, Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid) - Everybody seems to love this move, and admittedly, I think the player is keen, but is he enough, more, has he shown enough to warrant a regular spot with one of the top clubs in Europe. The answer is a resounding yes. Alvaro Morata, despite only starting 3 games at Real Madrid last campaign, netted a goal every 72 minutes, one of the most efficient in the world for a player who logged over 500 minutes. He has a terrific work rate, and his arsenal of moves allow for him to get by defenders with ease. The nice thing is, Morata still has a lot of growing to do. Potential is a risky business to deal in, but Antonio Conte is a proven molder of talent, an artisan in the trade of tapping potential, and if he can work that kind of magic on Morata, then Juve will have a top tier striker to pair with Tevez or Llorente. Vucinic, whose antics and skill set I just loved, along with Quags are ready to hit the curb, and Juve need a new set of strikers to back up the dynamic duo of Tevez and Llorente. In limited minutes, Morata managed 1.7 shots per game, a figure that should increase in volume as he gains minutes and experience. Still, he found the net 8 times on 39 shots in La Liga, an impressive figure. The only problem I see with Morata is that he is prone to turnovers, and such can become a liability. However, that may be because of age, something that only can curved with more time.
  • CM, Marco Verratti (PSG) - "Marco Verratti is the perfect heir for Andrea Pirlo", I bet you've heard that a thousand times before, but let's be honest with ourselves, it is 100% true. Verratti is the next big Italian star, but, unfortunately he is like the new breed of Italian stars in that he is plying his trade outside the peninsula. A talent like his should be developed in the home country by one of the best Italian managers in the game. Maybe a midfield trio of Pogba, Verratti and Vidal down the line to a little selfish, but Verratti would fit so well. He is terrific as a deep lying defensive midfielder like Pirlo in the 3-5-2, but can also move forward and play in the central midfield should Juve switch to the 4-3-3. The ball seems to eject from his feet into every different direction just like that of Il Maestro, and his ability to hit cutting players is almost unmatched. Verratti posted a crazy 92% pass success rate in all competitions last season. For reference, Andrea Pirlo had a 88.3% pass success rate in all competitions, though with a much higher volume. Verratti is no free kick maestro, but his ability to create chances is something Juve will need in the future. The chances of Juve signing him is unlikely, as he would like to remain in Paris, but should the opportunity present itself, Juve need to jump on it and bring the next great Italian home.
  • ST, Didier Drogba (Galatasaray SK) - When I first heard the Drogba to Juve rumors, my jaw dropped. Like Evra, he's on the decline, but I mean, it's Didier Drogba, no matter how much he declines he'll always be able to put the ball in the back of the net. He was a solid performer for Galatasaray last season, but his numbers won't blow you out of the water. There's really not much to say about this reported move but he's an amazing playmaker, and he will undoubtedly have a positive impact on Morata should be make the move here. He willl provide deep Champions League experience for the entire squad, and on the field, he'll be a threat to whomever Juve are standing against.
  • ST, Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea) - There are 2 things here that are no secret. The first is that Romelu Lukaku can put the ball in the back of the net. The second, is that he no longer wants to be apart of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea side. Feeling disrespected by the Diego Costa move, Lukaku claims that he wants to be free, and Juve were one of the first names to come to potentially court the Belgian striker. Chelsea have reportedly slapped a £32m price tag on the boy, and that will undoubtedly scare many away, but Juve, devoted to winning, might be willing to shell out that kind of money should the funds be raised. With the Bianconieri reportedly having a loan-with option to buy bid rejected, they could seek to craft a permanent deal with the youngster and Chelsea. Rumors aside, Lukaku is a freight train. When he cuts down the wing, you won't have to bother looking at the dismal 66.5% pass success rate he posted in the Premier League, as he will likely just barrel by a defender and unleash a powerful shot on goal. Lukaku found the net 15 times in 31 Premier League appearances (29 starts), and despite the horrid passing completion he added on 6 assists. He has the ability to create chances, as well as take them. It's a longshot, but Lukaku to Juve would easily be a move that would push them over to the top.

La Vecchia Signora would be hard pressed to find players they're presently targeting not be good fits for the team, but with all the potential signings comes the risk of busts. However, Antonio Conte I believe will make the righr decision, and if Juve can manage only a few names on this list, they should be set to contend for both the Serie A as well as a deep run in the Champions Cup.
This post was written by JosephLoftgren98, you can follow him on twitter: @JLoftgren_LBR

This FanPost was written by a member of the Black & White & Read All Over community and was not the subject of approval by anybody on the site's editorial board. It does not necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of the editors here at BWRAO.