Carlos Alcaraz admits expectations are ‘high’ at Juventus but has no fear regarding his potential €52m transfer fee.
The 21-year-old Argentinean midfielder was unveiled as a new Juventus player at a press conference on Thursday.
Alcaraz joined Juventus on an initial loan deal with an option to buy for €49.5m from Southampton in the January transfer window.
“I’ve been here for a week but am really happy. I’ve been training with the group, and I’ve been welcomed really well,” Alcaraz said, as quoted by Ilbianconero.com.
“I play in central midfield, but I can also be a false nine. I feel at ease on the right but can also play on the left. I am ready to play in every position the coach wants.”
Alcaraz has been compared to many ex-Juventus players of the past, including Chile international Arturo Vidal who won four Serie A titles in Turin.
“I’m delighted by comparisons with great players of the past; it’s a nice thing, but I know I have to do well here,” insisted Alcaraz.
“Ronaldo is my main inspiration. Today, I want to prove to my family that the dream can come true. This is my inspiration every day. I want to prove every day that what I am achieving is thanks to them.
“I know Vidal was a great player here; he achieved great results. I must do things properly and do what I know. If I do my best, I’ll reap the rewards. This is what I want to do. I am grateful for the comparison, but I want to think about myself.”
Alcaraz has recently said that he used to choose Juventus every time he played football video games.
“It’s true, I always chose Juventus because I could use the best players. I was upset when my friends didn’t let me take it and sometimes I didn’t play at all,” he said.
“I’ve always liked Juventus, a top club. Some of the greatest players have been here, including many Argentineans. Now that I am here, there are many expectations, but this is one of the best things that has ever happened to me.”
Alcaraz has already made his Juventus debut, coming off the bench in the final minutes of Sunday’s 1-0 loss against Inter at the Stadio Meazza.
“The debut wasn’t so good because of the result, but it allowed me to be involved in a high-level game,” he said.
“I like these matches. I have no fear despite my age. I didn’t like the result but we are already working towards the next match.
“There are many young players here, and the most experienced ones help us all at all times. It’s nice to have many young players, we have a nice team,” he continued.
“I am a competitive player, I don’t like to lose, not even in training. This is my attitude; the coach wants me to play and be calm. He has told me to do what I know because this is what brought me here. I feel the trust and I’ll try to repay it.”
The Argentinean didn’t seem intimidated by the hefty transfer fee Juventus will be required to pay if they decide to make his loan move permanent at the end of the season.
“I have no fear but we’ll see the price-tag thing with time. I want to play well and then the price could be or could not be appropriate. It depends on what happens on the pitch. I am calm, I know I have to work well.”
What does he think about the Juventus squad?
“I’ve joined a team with many good players, the most surprising one is probably Locatelli. He seems an excellent player. I like to work with him in training, and I hope to learn a lot,” he said.
“I knew I wouldn’t find Argentinean players here, but I knew Danilo, Bremer and Alex Sandro were here. I figured out they could know Spanish. Danilo asked me how I felt and I replied that I was nervous. He told me to be calm and that the team is like a family; this is what I feel. I feel involved and it’s all right.”
Did he speak to Inter star Lautaro Martinez, a former Racing Club player, before his move to the Allianz Stadium?
“No, I didn’t have a chance to talk to him, we only spoke after the Inter game,” Alcaraz concluded.