Ronaldo worth the risk
Juventus should be applauded for raising their ambitions on and off the field with Cristiano Ronaldo, writes Daryl Hammond.
When the Bianconeri faithful rose in unison to applaud Cristiano Ronaldo after his stunning bicycle kick at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in the Champions League, it is unlikely they thought they’d be doing it every week.
Juventus astounded the world of football when they made a move for five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
If you have the chance to sign one of the best players the game of football has ever seen, you drop all reservations and do it, right?
But if that player is 33 years old, costs €105m, obliterates your wage structure and potentially sees you lose key players, do you still do it?
The chance to sign a player like Ronaldo seldom comes around, but for a club who have won Serie A seven times in a row, do they really need him?
No doubt he is still a top player, baffling many with his longevity. Hints of a decline late in 2017 were quickly dismissed as he raced to 42 goals in another stellar campaign, adapting his game from a tricky winger to a deadly marksman in the box.
But at 33, even his immense powers must wane at some point during his four-year stay in Turin. At €105m you don’t know how much bang you get for your buck by the time he is 37.
The Serie A is known as a league where quality older players can thrive. League legends Francesco Totti and Javier Zanetti didn't retire until they hit 40, and 35-year-old Fabio Quagliarella came fourth in the Scudetto race last season.
Similar worries were levelled at their record signing of Gonzalo Higuain. Bought at 28 years old for €90m, it hasn’t worked out too badly, scoring 55 goals in 105 games, but his place in the side may be the biggest under threat with talks of him being reunited with Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea.
Some fans are also worried that the huge financial burden of this deal may seem they forced to surrender key players such as Paulo Dybala and Miralem Pjanic.
The €105m transfer fee and hefty wage packet could perhaps be used to improve other areas of the squad, but they have already bolstered their defence and midfield with the addition of Joao Cancelo and Emre Can.
If everyone stays, a front four of Ronaldo, Dybala, Douglas Costa and Higuain would be one of the most fearsome not only in Italy but in world football.
They don’t need him to win the Scudetto. They have done a perfectly good job of steamrolling their domestic opposition for years, even if Napoli ran them close last season. It’s Ol' Big Ears the Old Lady wants most.
They have been to the Champions League final twice in four seasons, and this year lost to eventual winners Real Madrid thanks to a last-minute penalty.
The point is they are close and but for a bit of luck things might be different. Does a player like Ronaldo tip the scales? You would rather have him than not.
With three league and cup doubles in a row, Juve's season is defined by Champions League success. It is the one thing that doesn’t come easy (or at all since 1996).
In buying Ronaldo, the situation is similar to that which saw Neymar move to Paris Saint-Germain last summer for a record €222m.
Sure, he arrived as the shiny Samba showpiece PSG could proudly parade to the world as a show of their financial might, but he is also of the planet’s best, bought to make them a force in Europe.
After their Champions League exit to Real Madrid the season meant very little. They wrapped up the Ligue 1 title by April without an injured Neymar.
Similarly, without European success during Ronaldo's stay it may feel like money wasted. Many of the higher-ups at Juve will be hoping Ronaldo will have paid for himself after his four-year stay on and off the pitch.
His arrival will do wonders for their brand, with the Portuguese the most marketable footballer in history. Despite their continued success, they still lag behind Internazionale in terms of commercial revenue.
As well as a boost their stock price, Juve have already gained over one million extra followers on Twitter and Instagram, with Real Madrid losing similar numbers. Some may say it’s a high price to pay for hype and to sell some shirts.
Off the pitch they are still a financial force, and on it there are few in world football who can match them. Did Juventus need Ronaldo? Not really, no.
But isn't that what truly top teams do? No matter how good they continue to court the world's top talent. Instead of stagnating, they've got the potential to significantly improve the club. And whether the move truly works out or not, their ambition should be applauded.
Juventus should be applauded for raising their ambitions on and off the field with Cristiano Ronaldo, writes Daryl Hammond.
When the Bianconeri faithful rose in unison to applaud Cristiano Ronaldo after his stunning bicycle kick at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in the Champions League, it is unlikely they thought they’d be doing it every week.
Juventus astounded the world of football when they made a move for five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
If you have the chance to sign one of the best players the game of football has ever seen, you drop all reservations and do it, right?
But if that player is 33 years old, costs €105m, obliterates your wage structure and potentially sees you lose key players, do you still do it?
The chance to sign a player like Ronaldo seldom comes around, but for a club who have won Serie A seven times in a row, do they really need him?
No doubt he is still a top player, baffling many with his longevity. Hints of a decline late in 2017 were quickly dismissed as he raced to 42 goals in another stellar campaign, adapting his game from a tricky winger to a deadly marksman in the box.
But at 33, even his immense powers must wane at some point during his four-year stay in Turin. At €105m you don’t know how much bang you get for your buck by the time he is 37.
The Serie A is known as a league where quality older players can thrive. League legends Francesco Totti and Javier Zanetti didn't retire until they hit 40, and 35-year-old Fabio Quagliarella came fourth in the Scudetto race last season.
Similar worries were levelled at their record signing of Gonzalo Higuain. Bought at 28 years old for €90m, it hasn’t worked out too badly, scoring 55 goals in 105 games, but his place in the side may be the biggest under threat with talks of him being reunited with Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea.
Some fans are also worried that the huge financial burden of this deal may seem they forced to surrender key players such as Paulo Dybala and Miralem Pjanic.
The €105m transfer fee and hefty wage packet could perhaps be used to improve other areas of the squad, but they have already bolstered their defence and midfield with the addition of Joao Cancelo and Emre Can.
If everyone stays, a front four of Ronaldo, Dybala, Douglas Costa and Higuain would be one of the most fearsome not only in Italy but in world football.
They don’t need him to win the Scudetto. They have done a perfectly good job of steamrolling their domestic opposition for years, even if Napoli ran them close last season. It’s Ol' Big Ears the Old Lady wants most.
They have been to the Champions League final twice in four seasons, and this year lost to eventual winners Real Madrid thanks to a last-minute penalty.
The point is they are close and but for a bit of luck things might be different. Does a player like Ronaldo tip the scales? You would rather have him than not.
With three league and cup doubles in a row, Juve's season is defined by Champions League success. It is the one thing that doesn’t come easy (or at all since 1996).
In buying Ronaldo, the situation is similar to that which saw Neymar move to Paris Saint-Germain last summer for a record €222m.
Sure, he arrived as the shiny Samba showpiece PSG could proudly parade to the world as a show of their financial might, but he is also of the planet’s best, bought to make them a force in Europe.
After their Champions League exit to Real Madrid the season meant very little. They wrapped up the Ligue 1 title by April without an injured Neymar.
Similarly, without European success during Ronaldo's stay it may feel like money wasted. Many of the higher-ups at Juve will be hoping Ronaldo will have paid for himself after his four-year stay on and off the pitch.
His arrival will do wonders for their brand, with the Portuguese the most marketable footballer in history. Despite their continued success, they still lag behind Internazionale in terms of commercial revenue.
As well as a boost their stock price, Juve have already gained over one million extra followers on Twitter and Instagram, with Real Madrid losing similar numbers. Some may say it’s a high price to pay for hype and to sell some shirts.
Off the pitch they are still a financial force, and on it there are few in world football who can match them. Did Juventus need Ronaldo? Not really, no.
But isn't that what truly top teams do? No matter how good they continue to court the world's top talent. Instead of stagnating, they've got the potential to significantly improve the club. And whether the move truly works out or not, their ambition should be applauded.
"He was close to join Napoli" sounds like Wenger's possible signings
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