Former Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini admits it’s ‘hard not to be in Turin’ during the investigation into the Old Lady’s finances which has already led to a 15-point deduction.
Chiellini left the Allianz Stadium last summer after spending almost his entire career at Juventus. He was part of the team in 2020 when players agreed to give up four months’ wages during the peak of the COVID pandemic.
The ex-Italy captain was the man in charge of informing his teammates about the financial agreements with the club as emerged from the Whatsapp chats scrutinised by the Turin Prosecutors and partially shown on Italian media.
The problem for Juventus is that investigators believe players received three months’ wages under the table. An investigation from the Turin Prosecutor is ongoing while FIGC has already handed Juventus a 15-point penalty for artificially inflating transfer values. A new penalty could hit the Bianconeri in the coming months, with the Sporting Court also looking into their salary maneuvres.
“For me, it’s painful,” Chiellini told The Athletic.
“I feel sad and hurt by what’s happening to Juventus. It’s hard not to be in Turin, and it’s not easy for everyone who loves the club. Now, the fans need to be patient because the club is fighting for everyone, and I hope everything finishes in the best way possible.
“On the pitch, they have to think match by match, and we’ll see at the end of the season. As for what’s happening in court, we don’t know — it could be bad, or it could be good. With the responsibility I had at the club, it is tough to be away from the team.”
The Italian defender joined LAFC last summer, signing an 18-month contract.
“I have the hunger still because I am enjoying my life every day. This opportunity has provided me with a new life and a different experience for my family,” he said.
“For that, and because I am a professional, I will come here and give 100 per cent every day. I like to be a big brother to my teammates; it’s important to me. I want to leave them something (from my time here). The first thing I said to my teammates is that I want to be remembered as a good person and a big brother more than a player. Though it’s impossible for me to play 100 per cent of the games, I want to be a good player, but my biggest mission is to have good relationships and help my teammates.”
Chiellini decided to move to the USA despite having a year left in his contract with Juventus after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
“The World Cup was weird, to be honest,” said the ex-Juventus defender.
“I didn’t watch very much — it wasn’t nice. I caught up on some of the highlights but almost never the live matches, outside of the final and the USMNT’s first game against Wales, because I was still here for that. It was tough not to be there for it because going to the World Cup is a big goal. It would have been a great experience, but I try to change the bad things and look at them more positively. Failing at World Cup qualification meant I decided to come to Los Angeles for a new challenge, and it has been an unforgettable experience for me.”
im sure it is, how hasnt he been called up along with his twin bro