Former Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic believes Nicolò Fagioli can become the ‘next Andrea Pirlo’ and believes Angel Di Maria and Adrien Rabiot should remain in Turin where ‘they are happy.’
The Bosnia international released an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday starting with Fagioli who has impressed at the Allianz Stadium this season.
In an interview with the pink paper on Tuesday, Pirlo had said the 22-year-old could become his heir in Turin.
“You could tell Fagioli was different from other youngsters when he trained with us in the senior team at 17,” admitted Pjanic.
“I’ve always admired Nicolò and I am not surprised by what he is doing this season. He must continue like this and remain humble. Massimiliano Allegri and his staff will help him become a top midfielder at an international level. He is the present and the future of the national team.
“He could become the next Pirlo, but it’s better to be remembered just as Fagioli.”
The former Juventus and Barcelona midfielder is not surprised by Juventus recent run of form that has seen the Bianconeri move seven points below a Champions League placement in Serie A despite a 15-point deduction.
“I know the club’s mentality and Allegri is doing an extraordinary job,” he said.
“On the pitch, Juventus are second below Napoli and I believe they can finish in the top four despite the 15-point penalty.”
Di Maria and Rabiot’s contracts expire in June and Pjanic believes they should remain in Turin.
“I would tell them to stay because they are very important to the team, and they are happy, so they should stay, but these are personal decisions, they know what’s best.”
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Pjanic spent one season on loan at Besiktas in 2021-22 and thinks Nicolò Zaniolo made a correct decision by moving to Turkey from Roma in February.
“I think he made the right choice. He will benefit from his time in Turkey and I am saying so as a personal experience. He is young and has enormous potential. I hope he finds serenity and if he works hard, Italian clubs will chase him.”
The ex-Roma midfielder would be happy to see his former manager Luciano Spalletti reach the Champions League Final this season and revealed he’d like to become a coach after the end of his playing career.
“It’s nice to see Milan, Inter and Napoli in the quarter-finals but I hope Spalletti reaches the Final. I love football and I’d like to become a coach to explain what I know and how I see football.”