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Channel 4.
Juventus have today been linked with a swoop for Arsenal defender Ashley Cole. However, the move is unlikely to occur as Football Italia explains.
Don’t expect Ashley Cole to be wearing a Juventus shirt next season – no matter what you have read or heard in England today. There is no doubt that the international defender is a quality player, but there are serious question marks over why the Italian champions would supposedly bid £16m for him. It just doesn’t add up.
There are a number of reasons why this transfer story seems to be based more on rumour than reality. After all, the Bianconeri already have one of Europe’s best left-backs in the form of Gianluca Zambrotta. The latter has been a revelation since his transformation from a right-winger into a full-back, becoming a firm favourite of not only the fans but also the club’s hierarchy.
The Italian international has admittedly been linked with a big money move to Chelsea, even if the peninsula outfit and the player himself have denied those claims. But even if he did join the Stamford Bridge outfit for a substantial fee, Juve are unlikely to use that cash injection to buy a direct replacement for the former Bari player.
Any supposed Zambrotta fee would more likely be used in an attempt to sign Antonio Cassano from Roma. The attacking talent is undoubtedly the Bianconeri’s number one transfer objective this summer, and the fact that his Giallorossi contract expires in 2006 makes this the perfect time to poach the starlet.
The reality is that Juventus just don’t need Cole – even if Zambrotta is sold. Why? Because they arguably already have a left-back for the future in the shape of Giorgio Chiellini. He’s spent this season on loan at Fiorentina, leading to promotion to the full Italian national side from the U-21 set-up, and the Old Lady have already confirmed that he will be recalled for the next campaign.
Words: Antonio Labbate