Roberto Di Matteo advised Juventus to sign Schalke defender Benedikt Howedes and analysed their Champions League ambitions.
Bianconeri director Beppe Marotta confirmed yesterday that Juve were only prepared to take the Germany international on loan with option to buy, reportedly for a total of €10m, whereas Schalke want double that.
“Howedes is an extraordinary lad and a centre-back worthy of a top team,” former Schalke tactician Di Matteo told Tuttojuve.com.
Roberto Di Matteo advised Juventus to sign Schalke defender Benedikt Howedes and analysed their Champions League ambitions.
Bianconeri director Beppe Marotta confirmed yesterday that Juve were only prepared to take the Germany international on loan with option to buy, reportedly for a total of €10m, whereas Schalke want double that.
“Howedes is an extraordinary lad and a centre-back worthy of a top team,” former Schalke tactician Di Matteo told Tuttojuve.com.
“In emergencies he has also played as a left-back, but prefers the centre. He has a strong physique and I consider his characteristics very well suited to Italian football.
“He’s not Usain Bolt, but I wouldn’t call him slow either. He’s good at reading situations and anticipating his opponent. He had plenty of chances to leave Schalke before, but kept the faith with his hometown club.
“The lad is a guarantee, you can trust him and he’s been the Schalke captain for years. He won the World Cup with Germany and was fantastic with me.”
Juventus have won the last six consecutive Serie A titles, but lost two Champions League Finals in the last three years.
“Juve are the team to beat in Serie A, but it will be a more interesting campaign compared to previous seasons. The Milan clubs have strengthened a lot, Roma are a good side, Lazio did very well last season and haven’t changed much.
“I am crazy about the way Napoli play football. It’ll be a battle to the end and this balance can only be a good thing.
“I can understand that Juve haven’t won the Champions League for a while, but you’re really looking for the negative here. You need to instead realise that Juventus have played two Finals in three years and they deserve credit for that achievement.
“The Final is a one-off game in which anything can happen. There are so many clubs who don’t get there, so let’s applaud Juventus for managing to get that far.
“I thought they had a better chance against Real Madrid than Barcelona two years ago, but they were only on the same level for the first half. Juventus will win the Champions League, I am certain of it.”