Max Allegri praised Federico Chiesa and seemed to slam the door shut on Romelu Lukaku and Chelsea. ‘I doubt any new players will arrive, but the club is vigilant.’
The coach spoke to Sky Sport Italia following a 0-0 friendly draw with Atalanta in Cesena, which had Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic in the starting XI.
Multiple sources maintain Juve and Chelsea have all but abandoned negotiations to exchange Vlahovic for cash plus Lukaku and Allegri’s comments seemed to confirm as much.
“I am happy with the squad at my disposal and I doubt any new players will arrive,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
“We will start the season with this group, we are covered in every role. The club is vigilant on the market, I don’t know what will happen, but I am very happy.”
Compared to last season, Allegri is particularly pleased with the form of Chiesa, who would appear to have finally put those knee injury problems behind him after a year out.
“You could tell from the first days of training he had different legs. I am happy with him and with everyone, there’s a good spirit and we must continue like this.
“I applaud Vlahovic and Chiesa for their efforts helping the defence and pressing, they were well-organised. The two strikers really are the balance of the team and if they are out of position, it’s difficult to press effectively.”
Juventus were excluded from UEFA competitions due to financial irregularities, the same that saw them drop down from third place to seventh in Serie A last season with a 10-point penalty.
That means the Bianconeri will only be competing in Serie A and the Coppa Italia this term, something Allegri and the players are unaccustomed to.
“I have to get used to it too, because for 13 years I’ve been planning two games per week. If we are still in the race for the title come March, then it could be an advantage, but if not then it’ll be a disadvantage. We have to take it one weekend at a time.”
The Serie A season kicks off next weekend with Juventus taking a trip to Udinese on Sunday August 20.