Alessandro Del Piero is impressed with Max Allegri, warned not to sell Arturo Vidal and confessed he “could return to Juventus.”
The legend faces his old team today for the A-League All-Stars in Sydney, kicking off at 10.30 UK time (09.30 GMT).
Alessandro Del Piero is impressed with Max Allegri, warned not to sell Arturo Vidal and confessed he “could return to Juventus.”
The legend faces his old team today for the A-League All-Stars in Sydney, kicking off at 10.30 UK time (09.30 GMT).
“Imagine the dive back into my memories playing in front of Claudio Marchisio, Gigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo… Lads I shared an era with at Juventus or even the incredible adventure of winning the World Cup,” he told Tuttosport.
This isn’t quite the Juve he used to know, as Antonio Conte resigned just two days into pre-season training and has been replaced by Allegri.
“I received a text message from a friend with the news, even if I had heard a little something before then… I think the real story of this split can only be known and explained by the protagonists. The two sides of the story.
“It was a real shake-up. Usually these things happen at the end of the season, so it’s decidedly more unusual to see it at the start of pre-season training.
“I think Allegri has already created a good rapport with the lads. I could see them joking around between themselves, even with the President, so Allegri seems to be settled in already.
“At Juve everyone is well aware this is a very delicate moment. They are opening up a new era.”
Del Piero gave President Andrea Agnelli some advice on the Vidal situation, as reports suggest Manchester United offered €45m for the Chile midfielder.
“Juve’s value will be decided by what they can build now, the objectives they set themselves and how the transfer market pans out.
“Obviously, I am thinking of Vidal. It’s not that he is irreplaceable, but a great deal does change if he’s there or not.
“If you do decide to sell, then you need to spend that money wisely. You have to buy someone just as strong, although probably a pair of players, seeing as Vidal runs for two.
“His departure would change the balance of the team, even though a midfield with Pirlo, Marchisio and Pogba would still be very impressive.
“I also think the worth of this Juve will be given by their opponents. Last season broke records and that won’t happen again. It developed that way because Juventus are strong, but also as other teams were renovated.”
Del Piero insists he will continue playing for at least one or two more years, though Turin remains “my home.
“Obviously returning to Juve represents an option for the future, as I still have my house in Turin and could never say no to Juve. I am far too tied to the Bianconeri world.”