A change of idea could be on the card for Juventus’ management as their previous plan to cash in on their Brazilian playmaker, Diego Ribas, might take a U-turn after their new coach Luigi Del Neri was impressed with the player’s showing on their training camp. The former Sampdoria coach who has been trying out the ex-Werder Bremen star playing as a support striker in the team’s training sessions, stated that he likes what he seen from Deigo so far.
“He is working hard and can do very well. I think he can play an important part for Juventus this season.” Del Neri said,“ Diego must be free to roam the final third, as he can play easily as a support for a lone centre-forward or as a trequartista behind two strikers.”
It seems that Diego’s versatility in playing as support striker, playmaker and trequartista behind two forwards have been the ultimate reason that Del Neri want the Brazilian to stay this summer. It’s obvious that the former Fc Porto midfielder does have an exquisite talent to compete in serie A, the problem is to integrate that talent into Juve’s system and Italian football style.
That is what Ciro Ferarra and Alberto Zacheroni aren’t able to do last season making the playmaker fail to find consistency in his playing and with the huge expectation given to him, Diego just unable to lift himself up after critics starts to hammer his performances. Now, if Del Neri decide to keep the Brazilian international, the coach must be able to bring out all of the player’s potential or it would be a waste of money and time for Juve.
Should Diego do stay next summer, Juventus’ management would definitely set another move for their transfer market as their plan to get cash from the Brazilian player’s sale surely won’t be happening. Not only that, other ideas in trading the 28-years-old for Wolfsburg striker, Edin Dzeko, would also need a re-adjustment. Now the Bianconeri’s board might try to force getting the deal for other players that they have listed to get the money needed for purchasing their targets as the ex- Porto player is actually a player that still has a very high value in the market.
photo credit: Shawn M. Smith
