Khedira: I’m going to stay here for a long time

Juventus announced yesterday that midfielder Sami Khedira had signed a contract extension that now sees him stay at the club until 2021.

Speaking to JTV after the news was released on the club website, Khedira spoke of his pride at being able to play for the Bianconeri.

“Juventus is synonymous with great history and if you play for Juventus you have to be a champion.

“You must always give your all and be proud of playing for this club, because it’s the best in Italy and I hope it will be the best in Europe.

“In the last four years Juventus have lost the Champions League final twice, but if you get to the final twice in four years it means the team is strong and just needs something special to win.

“With Cristiano - even if having him in the team doesn’t automatically mean you’ll win the Champions League - we have something special, he helps you and motivates you to compete at high levels.

“I hope that through hard work we’ll succeed in winning the Champions League this year. Winning the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia is always difficult and it’s clear we want to keep doing that, but we also intend to take home the European Cup too.

“I know that the players, the club and above all the fans dream about it and we need to work to turn this dream into a reality.”

The German midfielder reiterated his commitment to the club and its goals.

“It’s an important day and I’m very happy, I’ve signed a new contract with Juventus so it’s a great day for me. I’ve said many times that after leaving Real Madrid I thought it would be hard to find a club where I could meet new challenges, then I found Juventus and I’m very happy.

“It’s my fourth year and I’m going to stay here for a long time, that’s why I’ve renewed my contract. You only have to go out on the street or run onto the pitch to understand what it means to wear this shirt, it’s something special.

“You need to fight for this shirt and I’m proud that we’ve managed to find an agreement for the next few years to allow me to keep playing for Juventus.

“For me the most important thing is to have the support of your Coach and your teammates, that’s what’s important.

“I also try to show the fans how proud I am to play for this great club, I give everything because I want to win every game and put in great performances.”

Khedira reserved some words of praise for his manager Massimiliano Allegri.

“I’m happy to be coached by a great Coach like Allegri and to have great teammates, that helps me a lot. “Allegri is one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met in the world of football.

“Maybe if you listen to the media you’d get the idea he’s not a great Coach but for me he’s one of the best out there. Four Scudetti and four Coppe Italia aren’t won by chance, and you don’t reach the Champions League final twice in four years by chance either.

“He’s a smart person, very intelligent, very prepared from a tactical point of view and he knows how to communicate with his players.

“We work with intensity, but he also makes sure to be more relaxed and kind with his players. He always manages to balance to the two aspects and I like that very much.”