Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said Weston McKennie ‘doesn’t have to leave’ the Bianconeri this summer and said he’s ‘happy’ with the current squad at the Allianz Stadium.
Allegri explained why Cristiano Ronaldo is leaving at a press conference, which naturally mostly concerned the departure of the Portugal captain.
But the coach also stressed USA international McKennie could stay at the club, despite rumours of a possible farewell already after one season in Turin.
“He doesn’t have to leave. He has goals in his legs,” Allegri said. “He must improve: he’s an attacking player and we are in very good shape in this department.”
Allegri said the team are prepared for the ‘must-win’ match against Empoli tomorrow.
“I would say that we are working well, we have to win,” he added. “We played the first one and we are sorry we didn’t win, two unforeseen events have occurred that can happen, but they don’t have to happen again.
“We played a good game, then we can improve in terms of the game and in the second half we made a lot of technical mistakes.
“We are working on it and to improve our conditions. Tomorrow there will be a good atmosphere at home and we must be ready.”
Ronaldo’s farewell could boost the responsibility on the other players at the Allianz Stadium, but Allegri stressed they have to ‘improve from all points of view’.
“They are already all responsible, it’s normal that now, with the absence of Cristiano… they are all responsible, there are many young players and we need to improve from all points of view,” Allegri continued.
“The difference will be how quickly we arrive at a right mental aspect, that allows us to win games and manage them in moments like we faced in Udine.”
Allegri said he was not disappointed by Ronaldo’s behaviour and decision to leave the Bianconeri.
“No, he made a choice. Sivori, Platini, Del Piero, Zidane, Buffon have alle passed at Juventus. Great champions, it’s a law of life.
“Juventus remain the most important thing and the basis for great results. It has been three years, he has given his contribution, now he leaves and life goes on, as it normally does.”
Allegri said Juventus will only pick up new players if they can find someone who ‘improves’ the current crop.
“There are three or four days left,” he said. “We are on the line, if we can find a player who improves the squad, that’s good. Otherwise, we will stay with them.
“We have Arthur out, who is about to return, and the squad is excellent. I’m happy with who I have, we have to focus on the ones we have.”
Allegri revealed Ronaldo told his teammates this morning at Continassa.
“He told his teammates this morning. I’m not surprised by anything, in football there’s the market and there are the needs of individuals,” he said.
“We just have to look forward, tomorrow there’s an important game against Empoli. We must be very angry about Udine, we left two points due to an unexpected event, which we didn’t know how to manage.
“Otherwise, this need for Ronaldo would have been handled in another way, because we had the three points.”