THE RETURN OF DEL PIERO

Let’s take a trip down memory lane.  He walked around the pitch one last time, smiling and waving at his people.  A lonely tear rolling down his cheek.  Grande.  He later assured the public  that he would be continuing his playing career,  but not with Juventus.  The truth, however, was another.  The truth is that Alex, the historical  captain of his beloved  Old Lady , never really left  Juventus  world. He was forced to do so "physically" in the sense that the non-renewal of his  contract forced him to hide away the shirt that he  loved so much, but on all other levels, mental, emotional, digital...Alessandro Del Piero has not completely detached from his former  team mates, his people, from the  # 10 shirt which he embraced and embodied for 19 years. It’s  being said that perhaps soon it could be worn again by the one player who can really wear:  10 Del Piero . Call it dreaming,  a delusion,  a rumour popping up at of the end of August. It could be something more than that.

Del Piero in recent months has received offers  from  all around the world : America, China, Russia, Britain and so on and so forth. But he has declined all offers.

What is he waiting for? The Juventus organization has not renewed his contract. He's had time to take his mind elsewhere, took a vacation, thought about the future. By way of social media,  there has been all the good wishes and positive comments for his footballing companions and posts regarding Juventus through AlessandroDelPiero on facebook, one of the means by which he communicates with his nearly 4 million fans. Calls for victory, win the  Italian Super Cup and the special dedication to Gigi Buffon, who still calls him "Captaino".

The scenario could soon change dramatically. Even as this is being written, more "whispers" are being heard in Turin.

The real top player may be closer then you thought. All summer the media linked Juventus with the likes of Cavani,  Van Persie,  Suarez and even Jovetic.  All this talk of the coveted "Top Player" yet there is not even a shadow.  Instead Juventus management must frantically chase Llorente with the  small window of opportunity shrinking to get to Dzeko.   Fans mutter in chat groups or at the bar.  They keep track of broken promises.  After pondering the sure signing of Aguero last year (didn't happen), this year marks the non arrival of the Uruguayan striker (he's not worth 100 million sorry) and Dutch/former Arsenal man who ended up at Manchester United. Suarez renewed his contract and Jovetic  says he‘s happy where he is.  

Turin is beginning to circulate a blatant indiscretion. 

Juventus could reverse its original decision,  call on  the Capitano and ask him to sign for another year.  Huge presentation in full regalia , the number 10  jersey once again under the name "Del Piero " and the fans surely worked into a frenzy for the arrival of their dream Top Player. The real, unique and irreplaceable.  Alexander the Great .  Alessandro Del Piero.

Agnelli wouldn't go back on his word.  According to rumors Alex would return quickly and would even be ready to take the  first step.  Driven by his love for the shirt, the Juventus top goal scored would be willing to go deal firsthand with Andrea Agnelli.  Most likely Del Piero would offer a one year contract, with  compensation  tied to appearances and goals.  He wants back in the game, he wants to prove to those who believe in him that is far from a finished player.  Enter through  back door channels,  with respect,  humility and a deep knowledge of the team and organisation.  Traits that have always distinguished him from the rest. It would be a plot twist worthy of the best romantic movies.  Del Piero  Storia Di Un Grande Amore.

If any further developments should happen, we'll have to wait for confirmation. If indeed the incredible return of Del Piero to Juventus does materialize,  it is most likely that he would only arrive for Champions League and not before.  The management would not want to deprive us fans of the greatest surprise yet.  Think about it. The number 10,  the number of excellence.  He has a  dream : he wants to win the Champions League with HIS team once again. He has the hunger to try. If Agnelli calls on him, Alex is there. He would never say no to his beloved Lady and as mentioned before - whispers on radio and tweets and blogs" - he would even be willing to propose the deal himself. 

Alessandro Del Piero .His many admirers, those who have supported him, idolized him, loved him. Oh what joy it would bring. They would probably prefer the return of the boy from Conegliano even more than the arrival of Ronaldo and Messi in a single package. Though I know the leader Alessandro Del Piero can hide control his emotions publicly,  the Pinturicchio underneath can’t wait to pull out his tongue and unleash mayhem in the stands with the first goal he scores his second time around with Juventus.  For now there are only rumours, but something is starting to move.  In recent days Bianconeri supporters began to spread the slogan: “Altrochè top player, ridatemi Del Piero”. Today it may only be a rumour,  but with a theatrical coup it could easily become a reality.  The return of Del Piero.

How GRANDE would that be?

IT'S ALL THERE IN BLACK AND WHITE

There is a saying “not everthing is black and white.” When it comes to my football squad, that is ALL there is. Juventus till the end. It is an organization with a rich history and over 114 years of tradition.

Looking back, there have been a number of times that the Bianconeri, organization and fans, have faced misfortune, adversity and hardship.

Juventus was founded in Torino, November of 1897. Only nine years later an internal conflict almost ended “the grand love story” as the president and several key players left the club, to form A.C. Torino (now Torino F.C.). In the end we survived and thrived, yet things didn’t turn out so great for them.

In May of 1985 Juve played Liverpool in the finals for the European Cup (Champions League). Forever known as the Heysel disaster, in which 600 people were injured and 33 Juventus fans were killed. The players were not made aware of the tragedy until after the game. A game that although Juve won, will be remembered as one of the darkest days in footballing history.

In the 90′s there was, then Roma coach, Zdenek Zemans public accusations of illegal doping.  Juventus were cleared of all charges and Juventus doctor, Riccardo Agricola, who was initially found guilty, was later cleared of all accusations.

With the new millenium came new accusations. The Calciopoli scandal, headed by FIGC prosecutor Stefano Palazzi, heard accusations of match fixing against, then general manager, Luciano Moggi. Not a single player was accused of any wrong doing yet for the first time in its history Juventus was relegated to Serie B, docked 30 points (reduced to 9 after appeal) and stripped of not one but two titles! The team lost coach Fabio Capello to Real Madrid and many high profile players such as Vieira, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Thuram and Ibrahimovic left as well. This also led to the integration of youth squad members Sebastian Giovinco and Claudio Marchisio.

Fast forward to 2012. Under Antonio Conte, Juventus completed an undefeated 38 game season. Champions of Italy. 30 on the field. Yet with this great accomplishment came the end of an era as Alessandro Del Piero and Juventus part ways.

The new season is about to begin and I can’t help but notice the return of our antagonists. Torino is back in Serie A, Zeman is back with Roma, Palazzi is back with the  Calcioscommesse trials. Juventus is back in Champions League. Odd isn’t it?

What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger…FORZA JUVE per sempre!

Cassano for Matri - now that might work

Juventus Cassano - Matri Milan

The exchange of Matri for Cassano may be the quickest way to close the deal between Juventus and AC Milan. Rumour is that the Rossoneri, aware of their financial situation, may try to include Antonio Cassano as a pawn in exchange for reducing the cost of club operations and become free of a player who could create problems during the season, that is about to begin.Cassano has made it clear that he wants to leave Milan.

An unproven concept more than likely, Cassano has been approached several times by Juventus in the past but there has never been the possibility or willingness to close an agreement between the parties. This could finally be the right time.

The Bianconeri are looking for a striker and with the departure of Krasic might be interested in a player that can be used to assist in the goal amount, a role that can currently only be covered by Giovinco .

We'll see if the whispers of exchange will stand. For the moment it remains an attractive hypothesis for the both sides.

van Persie off to Man U?

Robin van Persie now seems a step away from Manchester United. According to rumors reported by the British press, the jewel of Arsenal, the protagonist of the other summer hit, would have dissolved any doubt as to his future destination. The Manchester Evening News report that Robin Van Persie could fly into Manchester this evening as the player looks set to seal a move to United. The player has been training with Arsenal as they prepare for a friendly against FC Cologne on Sunday but the source does not foresee the player remaining an Arsenal player by that point and for United, having missed out on Lucas Moura, Van Persie will signal their intent of wrestling back the title off City.

Llorente rejects Athletic Bilbao contract renewal as Juventus prepare €20m bid

Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente has reportedly told the club he wants to leave to play Champions League football, with Serie A holders Juventus poised to make a €20 million offer.

Llorente, 27, has made up his mind to reject a new contract offer and move on, according to Basque TV station ETB.

"Fernando Llorente wants to leave the club and he communicated that decision to its directors last Friday," reported ETB's website on Tuesday. "The player says sporting reasons are behind his decision."

Spanish newspaper Marca claimed Wednesday that Juventus would bid €20 million for the player, who has just 12 months remaining on his existing deal and is refusing to sign an extension worth €4.5 million a year. Manchester City were last season linked with the powerful forward, whose release clause is €36 million, while Tottenham are also showing interested.

According to the TV ETB Basque striker has specifically requested the transfer to juventus. Juve have already done a survey.

Juventus coach Conte to resign?

There were conflicting reports in the Italian press on Wednesday concerning the future of Juventus coach Antonio Conte, with a number of outlets speculating he could resign if he is banned for 10 months in his upcoming betting trial.

Antonio Conte led Juventus to the Scudetto this season

Conte has refused to negotiate a second plea-bargain agreement after the first - which would have seen him accept a three-month suspension - was rejected by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) disciplinary commission. He is now going to be subject to a full sporting trial and faces a much longer ban should he fail to prove his innocence.

Prosecutor Stefano Palazzi has recommended a 15-month suspension on the grounds that Conte failed to alert authorities to two potentially fixed matches during his time at Siena in the 2010-11 season.

The ban would only affect his input on match days and would prevent him taking his place on the bench or in the dressing room and rumours abound that he will be handed a 10-month suspension, effectively ruling him out for the forthcoming campaign.

Yet beyond that there is huge uncertainty in the Italian media with Sky Italia continuing to promote the club's public stance that they will stand by their coach whatever the result of the trial, putting Massimo Carrera - a member of Conte's staff - in charge during games.

The former Juve defender took control of the team during their last pre-season friendly against Malaga and is expected to do the same this weekend for the Italian Super Cup match against Napoli. The club have also issued a denial of reports that Conte was set to fire the Juventus legal team who have been representing him, in order to hire his own lawyers in an attempt to clear his name.

However, according to La Repubblica, Conte is ready to offer his resignation to the club should he be banned, following the path taken warlier this week by his assistant Cristian Stellini, who was banned for 30 months for his role in affecting results while playing for Bari in 2009-10.

The top player is there...

Who is the "Top Player"? Suarez is off the market but let's be realistic..Liverpool wasn't giving him to us anyways. RVP is coming, going, coming, going, signed, not signed...Cavani..I'll save my breath on that one. The Director General of Juventus is Beppe Marotta. He began his football career in 1978 at the age of 22 (Director of Youth team for Varese. Within one year he was promoted to the same position for the main Varese team and in that year the team moved back up to Serie B. Over the next few years he held positions with Monza, Como, Ravenna, Venezia, Atalanta and Sampadoria. He came to Juventus in May of 2010.Signed the likes of Krasic, Matri, Quagliarella and Aquilani. Within a year he also signed a former player as the new coach (Conte) and more players...Pirlo, Vidal, Vucinic, Lichsteiner to name a few. My point is, the man knows his job and with that said we need to keep in mind that "one must keep there cards close to there chest" meaning if his plan is indeed to get us a goal scoring striker (which is lacking on this team) then he is most likely looking in the opposite direction of all the fanfare. Then again Spain showed us that you can score a bunch of goals without a striker right?. If you play the midline as a beefed up offencive mid it's difficult to stop. Maybe that's his plan...Del Piero's looking for a contract ;)  We can guess all day and night but who ever the REAL top player they have in mind is, I think it will be a quick signing that you might hear rumors of 3-4 days before. We will find out soon enough.