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Juventus boss Ciro Ferrara has indicated that he is interested in Lyon full-back Fabio Grosso and praised the performance of Italy in last night's Confederations Cup victory over the USA.The world champions got off to a positive start in the competition as Marcello Lippi’s men staged a second half fightback to overcome the United States 3-1 in Pretoria New Juve boss Ferrara, who worked as an assistant manager to Lippi until a few weeks ago, believes the new crop of Azzurri is destined for big things.“My feelings are positive. I only spent the first week of the training camp with them, but we saw so many youngsters doing well,” Ferrara told Sky Sport 24.“But the veterans are strong, too. Our average age is not that high compared to Brazil’s and Spain’s. The Nazionale have won a World Cup with these ‘old men’ and with that experience we can do well at the Confederations Cup and also at the 2010 World Cup.”Lyon left-back Fabio Grosso is still part of the setup after his heroics at the Germany World Cup of 2006 and was in scintillating form last night. “Do I want him at Juve? Yes, but there are several players we are working on and many of them are in the Nazionale setup,” admitted Ferrara. “That’s the kind of players we are looking for.”Vince Masiello, Goal.com
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Giuseppe Rossi has not hidden his desire to return to Serie A and it is no secret that David Trezeguet would like to leave Juventus. The Bianconeri are one of the names in the frame to sign the Azzurri forward and the Italian media have been clamouring for the New-Jersey born striker to return to the peninsula, but the agent of the Frenchman, Antonio Caliendo, has ruled out a swap between the two parties."The suggestion of an exchange between Juventus and Villarreal for Rossi and Trezeguet is hardly practical," he stated, according to tuttojuve.com."The clubs assess the two players in very different ways."Rossi scored two goals for the Azzurri in their 3-1 win over the United States on Monday. Meanwhile, Trezeguet suffered from poor form and injury this past season, only finding the back of the net once in 12 appearances in Serie A.Adam Scime, Goal.com
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The Italian press are convinced that Juventus have plumped for Liverpool and Italy defender Andrea Dossena for their left-flank role, but his agent, Roberto La Florio, maintains that matters are still uncertain.“To date, Liverpool have yet to put him on the market,” the representative told Tuttomercatoweb.“The situation has not changed. Should he come back to Italy, he would be flattered. Besides, [Italy coach Marcello] Lippi has told the players who are currently abroad to return to Italy with the World Cup around the corner.”However, the situation could indeed change now that the Reds have reportedly agreed a fee for Portsmouth full-back Glen Johnson.Liverpool are expected to demand up to €8 million for Dossena, who joined the Anfield club from Udinese last summer for a reported €12m.If a deal for Dossena goes through, the Old Lady are likely to release Paolo De Ceglie, who has recently turned down a transfer to Udinese in part-exchange for Gaetano D’Agostino but has been targeted by Napoli boss Roberto Donadoni.Vince Masiello, Goal.com
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Juventus are shifting their attention from Gaetano D'Agostino to Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Juventus have desperately tried to strike a deal with Udinese for D'Agostino, but cannot come to an arrangement.
The problem lies in his valuation, which Udinese believe to be £23m, a figure Juventus have already spent on Diego this summer.
Juventus have tried to insert players into the deal, but Sebastian Giovinco, Paolo De Ceglie and Claudio Marchisio do not want to go to Udinese.
Consequently, Juventus director of sport Alessio Secco is drawing up alternatives and Diarra is at the top of the list.
Fabio Cannavaro recommended him immediately on returning to Turin after a three-year stint with Los Merengues.
Ciro Ferrara is also a fan and would like to see the Mali international pair up with his compatriot Momo Sissoko in the Juventus midfield.
Question marks hang over Diarra, though, as he missed most of last season with a serious knee injury, which has only just healed.
Still, he is expected to come on the market for at least £12m, which is considerably cheaper than D'Agostino.
Federico Guerra, Diarra's agent, is set to meet Real this week to discuss his client's situation.
channel4.com
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International agent Antonio Caliendo believes Manchester City midfielder Elano ticks all the boxes required to play for Juventus. Caliendo claims his client, aged 28, has had enough of England and would fancy a move to Serie A but they are yet to receive an offer from the Bianconeri. “Elano has got class and is dynamic,” explained the player’s agent. “He is a complete midfielder who can both attack and defend. The Brazilian is one of those players everybody wants and he doesn’t wish to stay in the UK anymore. He could be a perfect signing for Juve.” Caliendo also spoke about another of his illustrious clients, David Trezeguet. The agent noted that there is little possibility of a swap involving the Frenchman and Giuseppe Rossi. “This is a difficult option because Juventus and Villareal rate their strikers very differently,” he confessed. The agent concluded talking about Ederson, a 23-year-old Brazilian who has been linked to several big clubs. “Inter have been after him for over three years. In his first season with Lyon he did really well and Barcelona and Milan have also been asking. “The Nerazzurri though could seal the deal by offering in exchange important players such as Amantino Mancini or Patrick Vieira.”
channel4.com
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10. Roberto Mancini
Mancio made his Serie A debut aged 16 with Bologna, netting nine in his first season. His class and talent brought him to Sampdoria where, alongside his ‘twin brother’ Gianluca Vialli, he won the Scudetto but lost a Champions League Final to Barcelona. The highlight of his career is perhaps that astonishing back-heel goal which he scored for Lazio against Parma.
9. Giancarlo Antognoni
Known as ‘the boy who plays football looking at the stars’, Antognoni is regarded as the only true ‘bandiera’ at Fiorentina. The Viola ace though had a different style compared to the traditional image of a fantastista, since he was a much stronger type of player but, nevertheless, was equally gifted with both feet.
8. Gianfranco Zola
‘Nemo propheta in patria’ – there isn’t a better proverb to describe Zola’s career and his achievements. Neglected in Italy, the small Sardinian made a name for himself in England where his goals are still remembered. Sir Zola learned the art of the job from his majesty Diego Maradona in person before making headlines at Chelsea.
7. Francesco Totti
‘Er Pupone’ has deservedly been tipped as the eighth king of Rome. No-look passes and unexpected touches are all part of his portfolio, including a penalty against Holland at Euro 2000 when he chipped Edwin Van der Sar. Always loyal to the Giallorossi colours, the Roman born and bred maybe missed plenty of silverware by staying in the Capital but he kept his fans happy.
6. Sandro Mazzola
The son of Valentino Mazzola honoured his father with a fantastic career culminating with Inter’s last European Cup triumph. They called him ‘baffo’ due to his moustache, which betrayed his young age. Sandro was perhaps one of the most complete No 10’s in the game but unluckily lost the Ballon d’Or to Johann Cruyff.
5. Alessandro Del Piero
‘Pinturicchio’ is, alongside Totti, amongst the best Italian players in the last decade. But in comparison to his Roma rival he has won many more trophies and gained higher international recognition. Kept his honour when he led Juventus back to Serie A after a year in the Cadetti and is by far the Bianconeri’s most loved player.
4. Giuseppe Meazza
If you consider this man has got one of the most illustrious stadiums in the world named after him then you realise his achievements were seriously big. Meazza scored goals galore for Inter but also featured for Milan and Juventus. Won two World Cups with Italy and left an indelible mark in the history of calcio.
3. Gianni Rivera
Elegant like no other, the ‘Golden Boy’ of Italian football is in the Top 20 Players of all time chart published by the IFFHS. His duel with Mazzola Jnr proved he was the most talented of the two and also the most revolutionary. The Milan maestro’s cheeky smile broke thousands of hearts around the peninsula.
2. Valentino Mazzola
Prototype of the ‘total player’, he opened the way to a generation of champions but tragically died in the Superga air disaster. Mazzola was so clever and experienced that he could have played superbly anywhere on the pitch but what he did best was scoring and creating openings for his teammates. The Granata legend was indeed a truly devoted fantasista.
1. Roberto Baggio
‘Il Divin Codino’ is one of those players you just can’t avoid falling in love with. Truly divine, Roby did everything superbly from creating to finishing. Made magic with each team he played for but also brought controversy everywhere he went. Teammates and Coaches hated to be overshadowed by the former Juve star, who is undoubtedly one of the brightest in the Italian firmament.
channel4.com
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