Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini confesses “I’ll miss Leonardo Bonucci so much” and that Paulo Dybala “isn’t worth as much as Neymar”.
Speaking to Premium Sport on Sunday, Chiellini admitted he had seen Bonucci “more than his own family in the last seven years”, as well as discussing what Dybala needed to do in order to be considered on par with Neymar, who scored twice against Juve for Barcelona on Saturday.
Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini confesses “I’ll miss Leonardo Bonucci so much” and that Paulo Dybala “isn’t worth as much as Neymar”.
Speaking to Premium Sport on Sunday, Chiellini admitted he had seen Bonucci “more than his own family in the last seven years”, as well as discussing what Dybala needed to do in order to be considered on par with Neymar, who scored twice against Juve for Barcelona on Saturday.
“We’ll work well in the next few days and play our other two games in the US with serenity and tranquillity,” he explained.
“After that, we’ll get ready for mid-August, which is the most important thing.
“Dybala and Neymar? Dybala isn’t worth as much as Neymar is today, with all the respect and great esteem that we all have for Paulo.
“I said it last season, Neymar is at the level of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and he’s their designated heir for the Ballon d’Or.
“Neymar’s valuation? They’re huge numbers but ones that apply to a player that can change the course of a game and a season.
“Therefore it’s right for a team to spend a certain figure if they have the chance to do so.
“Bonucci? Good or bad, he’s been a companion of mine in everything. I’d seen him, Gigi [Buffon] and Andrea [Barzagli] more than anyone else, including our families, in the last seven years.
“I’ll miss him so much on a human level, but maybe another defender will arrive, who will allow us to catch breath and conserve our energy in the best way possible.
“We were five defenders, but now we’re four top defenders, with different characteristics, which sincerely makes me less worried.”