Evelina Christillin, a FIFA board member for UEFA and long-term Juventus fan, discussed the current state of the club, the transfer market limitations and the disappointing return of Paul Pogba.
The Bianconeri are currently in the crosshairs of the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office for their financial practices, with allegations of the usage of falsified capital gains and secret player wage payments. Andrea Agnelli and the entire board of directors unexpectedly resigned in November, leaving the club in disarray at the end of the year.
Speaking to Radio Rai 1, Christillin first discussed the management overhaul at Juventus following Agnelli’s resignation.
“It is very right what the ownership has done, resetting to zero what were the problems related to the problematic financial management. Also, the board of directors is very lean with five people of super professionals in the legal-commercial-financial field.”
She predicted what the Bianconeri would do in the January transfer window.
“First of all, it is right for the ownership to put the accounts back in order, that is the primary goal. That’s why I don’t think there will be much of a market, either they will be free transfers or you can’t spend.
“Investing in young people is not only a good thing but also a necessity. Not only will it not be possible to buy, but I’m afraid it will also be necessary to sell.”
The FIFA board member gave her thoughts on Massimiliano Allegri and his project in Turin.
“The project left completely in Allegri’s hands will be on the cheap, you will have to make fire with the wood you have, which is good wood, still a bit green, but wood.
“Confirming the famous phrase that out of difficulties one can create opportunities, these guys played mostly because the others were out.
“And good thing, because they were able to show what they are worth. In two days in Cremona there will still be many out starters, so the youngsters will still be important, waiting for Vlahovic’s recovery and for the ghost Pogba to come down from the snows.”
Finally, Christillin discussed Pogba’s situation in the Piedmont capital and the controversy surrounding his skiing holiday.
“I met Pogba just on the day of the World Cup final in Doha, he was in the stands. He told me he was practically fine and ready to come back in January.
“We’re waiting for him, but I’m not too shocked about photos in the snow, it seems worse to me that Juve bought him in July and from there we’ve still never seen him.”