Former Juventus midfielder Massimo Mauro doesn’t think that the Bianconeri should sign Mauro Icardi.
The Turin side have been linked with the 28-year-old Argentinian forward for some time now, with the club searching for an adequate replacement for Alvaro Morata, who is pushing for a move to Barcelona.
Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mauro is convinced that Juventus should not look to sign Icardi in this month’s transfer window.
“If I were a director I would never sign him. It is useless to pretend not to see the embarrassment around this player. The overexposure on social media, the cumbersome agent wife. For me, these are not acceptable attitudes for a professional of his level.
“Juventus style aside, someone like him risks becoming a problem at any club. In the locker room there are sacred rules and codes that must be respected, the balance is delicate and Icardi does not give you guarantees.”
The 59-year-old Italian does not think that the Argentinian forward would be a good fit for the Bianconeri tactically.
“I don’t know what athletic condition he’s in now, but generally speaking I don’t think he’s the striker Juventus need. Icardi is a penalty area centre forward who needs a certain type of game. He must be inserted in a team that attacks often and with many men in front of the goal, at that point he becomes decisive because he can score goals.
“The Bianconeri do not have the characteristics to make him perform at his best. In any case it would be a temporary solution, just for six months, then the club would have to go back on the market anyway.”
He thinks that Juventus should look to sign a young talent instead, like Sassuolo’s Gianluca Scamacca or Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic.
“I would bet right now on a young player who is already able to take responsibility. Like Scamacca, who for me is better than Vlahovic. He’s physically big, has an excellent ability to progress play and is very good in counterattacks. I think he’s perfect for Allegri’s Juventus.
“Of course, the big unknown is the weight of the shirt, especially in such a particular year. Scamacca has so far played with Genoa and Sassuolo, it is not the same thing, I would be curious to see him at Juventus. Another name that intrigues me is Origi.”
Mauro thought that Morata should join Barcelona if he isn’t happy in Turin anymore.
“In principle those who don’t want to stay should be shown the door, Juventus only deserve players who are willing to throw themselves into the fire for the shirt and Turin is the best place to live and to play football.
“It would be an absence that can be made up for, even with the resources already in the squad. Morata in a great team can be the fourth striker, he is certainly not a player who can decide a season.”
Finally, Mauro noted that he trusted in coach Massimiliano Allegri regardless of what happiness with their strikers.
“Guardiola made a Champions League final without a centre forward, in that case, I’m sure Allegri will come up with something.
“It’s easy to give advice to the couch, from Arrivabene’s words it was quite clear to me that Juventus have no money to spend in this season, so they will have to make a virtue out of necessity.”
The 28-year-old Icardi, who is contacted to Paris Saint-Germain until 2024, has scored four goals in 15 league appearances this season.
Mauro consiglia: «Juve, prendi Scamacca. E' meglio di Vlahovic» – https://t.co/Ev66t5u4JD pic.twitter.com/sJo38SQLmK
— JuventusNews24.com (@junews24com) January 3, 2022
You better sign him we got know striker
I generally agree. I’m not looking forward to the “Icardashian” presence with Juve…
Mauro is against Mauro. 😛
nO lEtS sIgN sCaMACcA iNsTeAd 🤡 Icardi Will do wonders with Juve, all u that are against it who would u rather have? Auba? Lol, Scamacca? Or Injury prone Milik? Icardi is our best option, deal with it
Finally im agree on a post fr this site regarding “this” (even i dont want to type his name 🤭)
We all know if we were getting him, we are not signing a player but “big and constant problem on off the pitch”
And our Mauro is right on all words
Why can’t Juve sign Giovanni Simeone or Duvan Zapata?
Icardi would be a disaster of a signing. He certainly used to have goals in him and likely still does but who wants all that baggage. This Juve (like most other versions) can only win as a team. Icardi is a wedge that divides.
Play for the shirt? lol, joke. Everyone knows that Icardi will play for himself and his agent (wife). Wrong player to sign imo.
A LOT WAY BETTER MATRI THAN ICARDI!!!
Giovanni Simone at Caligari would be my signing for Juventus within the next 3 weeks, He has a very good strike rate and compares well with Vlahovic at Fiorentina. It is unlikely that Fiorentina will want to sell to any Italian team in Serie A, so Simone is the one who can fire Juventus into the top 4 and provide the goals they are lacking with Morata, Dybala and Chiesa over the last 5 months. I would get rid of Morata as he is too hot and cold and ruins the atmosphere in the team.