Juventus eye Liverpool and Arsenal stars
England manager Fabio Capello has recommended four of his players to former club Juventus as they plan how to strengthen their squad in the summer after another disappointing season, according to Turin-based sports newspaper Tuttosport.
They claim that the Three Lions tactician praised Everton and Liverpool full backs Leighton Baines and Glen Johnson and Arsenal and Tottenham midfielders Jack Wilshere and Aaron Lennon as players that Bianconeri president Andrea Agnelli should consider bringing to the underachieving Serie A giants.
The story made the front page of Wednesday's edition and follows rumours in Italy that the Old Lady want Capello to return as a technical director once his spell as England boss ends after Euro 2012. It had also been claimed that Agnelli and Capello met this week, though that has since been denied.
Several of the suggested transfer targets appear unlikely, not least Wilshere who earlier this month was hyped as a potential Barcelona player, with Leighton Baines perhaps the most obtainable of the quartet - not a bad thing given Juve's weakness at left back - but even that is a long shot as English players rarely move abroad, especially to Italy.
Talk of a Capello comeback is sure to be met with a mixed reaction in Turin, as the coach was far from universally popular during his first period in charge between 2004 and 2006, despite finishing first in both, though they were stripped of those honours following the Calciopoli scandal.
The nine-time title-winning manager also spent six years at Juventus as a player but a fair few fans would prefer Zenit St Petersburg boss Luciano Spalletti to having Capello back as coach or director.
Will any of those players make their way to Italy? Have your say below...
Published: 10 Mar 2011
SteveeKay (March 10, 2011 4:16 PM) said:
Just another story made up by ill informed poor quality hacks, firstly Leighton Baines is far from being a Liverpool fullback, secondly Juventus cant afford to keep Aqulani as they have returned poor financial figures.
When will you people ever get your fairy tales right.
Betfair Football (March 10, 2011 4:24 PM) said:
Yes, Baines is an Everton full back, that's what it says in the story - apologies if it's slightly unclear. If the rumour has been "made up", it comes from Italian newspaper Tuttosport rather than the English press.
Think you have a point with regards to Juventus' spending power though - not convinced that they can afford another spree, especially as they are yet to make the Aquilani and Quagliarella deals permanent.
elnino (March 10, 2011 4:52 PM) said:
Baines is a player who was not picked for the world cup by Capello coz he is a home-sick person. Now how on earth would he recommend him to Juve. Besides Lennon, Johnson, Wilshere are players whom their clubs wouldnt part with leave alone Juve being able to afford it. All they will try to do is try for another loan deal for Aquilani if possible. LOL
steve (March 10, 2011 4:59 PM) said:
you didnt get it right here..Juventus want all these players,Messi is having medical at Everton,Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Real Madrid for Kazerslautern,Real Madrid found Carlton Cole his immediate replacement,and Barca are interested in Roy Hodgson!!!guys stop dreaming,Juventus are in decline and i've heard that they cant afford to keep Aquilani,yet they gonna buy 4,5 20mil rated players??loooooool..
Betfair Football (March 11, 2011 8:05 AM) said:
Don't get us wrong - we share the same reservations about the rumour and mentioned as much in the article. Our main objection though would be, as elnino hinted at above, that Capello has never rated Baines and Lennon enough to make them regular starters for England, so it does appear a bit unlikely that they would be his first recommendations as signings.
Cheers for the comments (and Carlton Cole to Real Madrid isn't that unlikely, Julien Faubert made it!)