Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli reflected on Chelsea’s talks for Dusan Vlahovic, Paul Pogba’s positive doping test and his mindset in developing and signing players.
The 51-year-old Italian director was the architect of the Napoli squad that ended their 33-year wait for the Scudetto last season, bringing in top stars like Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. He spent eight years with the club before heading to Juventus at the start of the summer.
Giuntoli is now tasked with guiding Juventus forward in their post Andrea Agnelli era, representing a shift in directions in the transfer market. Whilst the club spent little this summer, things will likely be different next year.
Speaking to La Repubblica via Calciomercato.com, Giuntoli first reflected on Juventus’ work in the summer.
“Allegri is the point of reference, we have to bring the team up to their height, the spirit of the young people to return to the Champions League.
“On the market we lost experienced players, but Rabiot was confirmed, Milik was redeemed, Weah and Cambiaso were brought in to go in the direction we indicated.”
He explained why Romelu Lukaku didn’t join the club.
“There was an offer from Chelsea for Vlahovic. We didn’t want to sell Dusan, but given certain numbers we would have accepted. Chelsea never reached that figure, and the exchange (with Lukaku, ed.) never took place.”
The director weighed in on the Pogba situation.
“We’re waiting for the counter-analysis and we’ll decide what to do together with his entourage.”
He was asked if he was irritated with the way the Frenchman has handled things.
“I’m just thinking about how much we’re missing on the pitch, we’re not feeling sorry for ourselves and we’re looking forward.”
Giuntoli was also asked who would replace Pogba should his positive test be confirmed.
“We’ll make a point at Christmas, first we want to understand what the players we have can give us. Then, if there are opportunities, we will take them.”
The Juventus sporting director gave his thoughts on Sassuolo talisman Domenico Berardi, who has been heavily linked with a move to Turin.
“He is a good and capable footballer but now, I repeat, we want to understand how much we are worth. The team are very different from a year ago. They have a lack of experience but a more intense pace.
“Allegri and the staff already wanted to propose something again. Now with the lowering of the average age it is a necessity, you run more, the desire to do things increases, but you can no longer profit from malice. The coach is the first to have understood this.”
He discussed Juventus’ fight for a top four finish.
“Here I feel at home. In a moment of great crisis in Italian football, there is a need to make a virtue of necessity. Pursue sustainability, create a self-subsistence mechanism in which you can spend based on what you take in.
“Lower the wage bill and the average age, have more young players who can grow in the club and provide value. Furthermore, create an environment that looks not only at the result but at the performance.
“Winning is the most important thing, but if we want to grow, we have to analyse performances, and this takes time.
“How much? We think about the medium distance, but setting a deadline also means creating a limit, and limits are for the mediocre. There is a precise objective shared by the CEO Scanavino, by Allegri, by me and from Manna, returning to the Champions League.
“We also need to have a showcase in which our young players can grow, because they must be able to compete with the best in Europe.
“For our declared objective, the rivals are Atalanta, Fiorentina, Lazio, Roma. Then there are Napoli, Milan and Inter who are ahead of us, because their projects started much earlier.”
Giuntoli spoke about how he views the development of young players and his scouting work.
“Next Gen is fundamental for lowering wages and average age. I’m thinking of Huijsen or Yldiz, who are permanently in the first team and then go on to play with passion in Serie C. But also of Illing-Junior, Soulé, Barrenechea, De Winter: a heritage that has emerged in recent years.
“Second teams cost money, but the investment is multiplied and in fact other clubs are thinking about it. And then, this helps us create a sense of belonging in young players, a fundamental element because ownership of Juventus has belonged to the same family for 100 years.
“It’s incredible and wearing this shirt is a privilege. When you don’t have more money than others, the difference is the spirit. As for scouting, I found great professionalism here. Today in football everyone knows everything, it’s difficult to beat others to the punch and do business at low costs.
“At Napoli I noticed some coincidences, without the war I wouldn’t have bought Kvara at that price, without the stoppage due to the pandemic perhaps Osimhen would have scored 30 goals in France and would have ended up in the Premier League.”
He was asked about the ‘Giuntoli method’.
“I don’t like the term. I’m just someone who works a lot, who pays attention to the relationship with coaches, staff, players, agents. I love being behind the scenes and speaking little.
“Football is not a one man show, only all together we can bring Juventus back to where they deserve. I am someone who brings together.”
He gave his thoughts on coach Massimiliano Allegri.
“Before I arrived, they said and wrote that our relationship was complicated, but that’s not the case. Allegri is the spearhead of the club, a great reference in this delicate transition phase.
“He started from Aglianese, the very team of my area, fate thinks, and has reached the Champions League final twice. We are the ones who have to bring Juve to its level. Coaching is the most difficult job in the world, it’s a man alone, with all the weight on shoulders.
“I have always protected my coaches, I try to understand how they think so I can compare myself with them and help them. I am a manager who helps the coach.”
Finally, Giuntoli discussed some of the other members of staff at the club.
“On the staff there are people like Aldo Dolcetti, football scientist, Marco Landucci, Simone Padoin, just to name a few. Magnanelli replaced Bianco, bringing some interesting ideas, undoubtedly, but the one who dictates the guidelines is Allegri.”