Federico Bernardeschi reflected on his happiest memories with Juventus and his plans for the future once his contract expires next month.
The 28-year-old Italian winger did not reach a contract renewal agreement with the Bianconeri, leading him to depart on a free transfer next month after five years in Turin. It’s not been an easy time for the former Fiorentina man, who mostly failed to live up to the potential once shown in Florence.
Speaking to DAZN after the loss to Fiorentina, Bernardeschi first reacted to his last appearance for Juventus.
“A few messages came to me… Many. Today is a special day, I’m happy. My wife messaged me, she’s always there for me and she simply told me to enjoy this.”
He reflected on his fondest memories with the Old Lady across the last five years.
“I have so many… Maybe the first trophy. It’s been five wonderful years, today I gave a speech to all the lads, the staff and the coach after lunch.
“I thanked them, each of them passed on something to me as a person and a man. The Juventus world has made me feel at home, I can only say thank you.”
Bernardeschi commented on his relationship with coach Massimiliano Allegri.
“I have a special relationship with the coach, he knows how much I respect him and that I owe him a lot. He has also passed on important things to me.”
He touched on the fact that his last Juventus appearance comes against Fiorentina.
“I was thinking about that, it’s the exact closing of the circle.”
Finally, Bernardeschi discussed if he plans to stay in Italy or move abroad.
“I’m open to everything.”
In his five years with Juventus, Bernardeschi scored 12 goals and provided 24 assists across 183 appearances, helping the side win three Scudetti, two Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana.
Bernardeschi: "Alla Juventus 5 anni meravigliosi. Futuro in Italia o fuori? Aperto a tutto" https://t.co/ltheuhlWio
— TUTTOmercatoWEB (@TuttoMercatoWeb) May 21, 2022
He worked hard just didn’t have much of an end product. Good luck to him and hope he’s the new kulusevski with success wherever he goes.
If he stayed at Fiorentina: he, Fiorentina, Serie A and football would’ve been better off.
Fiorentina could’ve had a front three of him and Chiesa with Kalinic for a total cost of €5 million (the latter’s transfer fee). This is the issue when we talk about money in football. If teams could just hold onto their players they wouldn’t need much to compete. The issue is the bigger clubs like Juve who can entice players away for big money only to destroy their careers. Sure some, like Chiesa, are a success but most transfers are a failure – as in the player does not reach their potential.
Even Messi has struggled at PSG.
Hs should move to Roma in place of potentially leaving Mikhitaryan or Zaniolo, or to Lazio in place of departing Luis Alberto or Milenkovic Savic