Giorgio Chiellini admits losing Cristiano Ronaldo was ‘a shock’ that Juventus had to change around, but CR7 ‘needed a team that would play for him’ like Manchester United.
The Portuguese veteran finally completed his transfer on deadline day, after walking away from Turin on August 28, following links with PSG and Manchester City.
“I had already figured out he could leave this summer, because we reached a stage of the working relationship where Cristiano needed new motivation and a team that would play for him,” Chiellini told DAZN.
“When he finds a team like that, he can always be decisive, as he was at Juve too. Juventus are beginning a process of renewal and trying to bring the average age down, so clearly he would’ve been an added bonus if he’d stayed, but it’s fair he wanted a team more focused on the present than the future.”
The Old Lady scrambled to find a replacement, bringing back Moise Kean from Everton on loan with obligation to buy.
It made an impact on Max Allegri’s side, who had a terrible start to the Serie A season, but have now found their feet again.
“Ronaldo left on August 28 and it certainly would’ve been better if he had gone earlier so we could prepare. Unfortunately, we paid a price for that,” added Chiellini.
“It does create a shock to the system and we lost points in the opening games because of that. If he’d left on August 1, then we would’ve had time to reorganise and be ready for the start of the season.”
Cristiano Ronaldo was on target last night for Manchester United’s 3-2 comeback win over Atalanta in the Champions League.