Chiellini discusses his future plans, explains how Conte changed Juventus

Giorgio Chiellini refuses to rule out becoming a coach after the end of his playing career and explains how Antonio Conte has changed Juventus.

The Italy international is available for tonight’s Champions League clash between Juventus and Villarreal. He had spent the last few weeks on the sidelines because of a calf injury.

“I expect a difficult game, I know them well, I know their coach. They have technique but they are also solid and defend well,” he told Amazon Prime Video, in an interview conducted by his former teammate Claudio Marchisio.

“We had been paired Sporting in the first draw and with all the respect due, it would have been better. I immediately thought that it was 50-50 with Villarreal and details will be crucial.”

Is there anything that Chiellini would change in his career?

“I made many mistakes, but it’s part of the journey,” he said.

“I didn’t play the Champions League Final in 2015, of course, I wanted to play it. It was the only season where I didn’t get any injury. I was tired, I had played a lot and I didn’t play the last game before the Final, but I wasn’t able to play it anyway.

“We lost in 2017 as well, but at least I was on the pitch. I have no regrets. I’ve seen the team’s development, we’ve faced many difficult times. Oddly these final years are those that I am enjoying the most.”

How has Massimiliano Allegri changed in his second spell in Turin?

“He is still the same, he hasn’t changed. Perhaps, he expected to find a group similar to the one he had left. We had changed a lot, many players left, we are younger. From November we’ve seen his Juventus. A solid team with their own identity.

“Dusan Vlahovic has brought enthusiasm to everyone, players, staff and fans. He shifts the balance, we missed a player with his characteristics. We hadn’t had a  centre forward like that since Mario Mandzukic’s time. We had Higuain who was a fantastic player, but was slightly different.

“We had to adapt other strikers to that role. Alvaro [Morata] prefers playing with another striker and the same is true of Paulo [Dybala] and Cristiano [Ronaldo]. Now we have a new No.9 even if he has the No-7 on his shoulder. He wants to improve and become the No.1.”

How about Matthijs de Ligt? How does Chiellini rate the Netherlands international?

“He has improved a lot, he likes to take responsibility. Perhaps they demand too much from such a young player. He is very strong, but defenders reach their peak later in their careers. I played my best seasons in my 30s. He’ll be a sensational footballer at 28.”

Chiellini is the only Juventus player to have won all the nine Serie A titles from 2011 until 2019. How have Juventus changed over the last decade?

“Conte was the first one to change, he changed our vision of football. Before he came here I’d never thought about building from the back or making a through pass. Some teams tend to do that more and I think that balance is needed but in modern football, you must have control of the game and the ball. It’s more and more important and it’s crucial to be complete.”

What are Chiellini’s plans for the future?

“I’ve already gone beyond what I thought, especially after my knee injury [in 2020]. I could have finished last season but I wanted to continue and I live day by day. I dream of the World Cup and hopefully, we can qualify and enjoy it, then we’ll see.

“I want to end my career in a decent way. This [Juventus] is my home and I don’t want to become a burden. On paper, I’d like to become a director rather than a coach, but football is full of surprises and I’ll understand with time.”