Blog: Waiting for Godot
Juventus have put Alex Del Piero’s contract renewal on hold for now, a delay Dave Taylor feels is disrespectful to the flag bearer.
Alessandro Del Piero’s contract expires in 2010 and reports suggest that Juventus are dragging their feet in renewing it. Sporting director Alessio Secco’s reasoning is that they are too busy reinforcing their squad and it will only be sorted out after the summer’s wheeling and dealing.
It’s a stance which shows a distinct lack of respect. The club’s reluctance in not handing the captain the new deal which he deserves can be interpreted as a lack of confidence in his ageing legs.
Del Piero is not just one of Juventus’ all-time greats, he is a living legend of Serie A and as a consequence it is unpardonable to put him on the back burner like this. Il Capitano is up there on the same pedestal as 90s icons like Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Gianluca Vialli, Gabriel Batistuta and Zinedine Zidane. He is loved and worshipped worldwide and countless people follow calcio thanks to his sublime brilliance.
One of the last true fantasisti still around, for many he symbolises the unconquerable spirit of La Vecchia Signora. For the record, Ale has scored 262 goals for the club and is still counting. He has also helped Juve win seven Scudetti [including those erased by Calciopoli], the Champions League, one European Super Cup, four Italian Super Cups, one Coppa Italia and an Intercontinental Cup, following his arrival from Padova in 1993. He is also the Bianconeri’s all-time appearance leader.
Secco is taking ADP’s loyalty for granted and doubtlessly many clubs would be prepared to exploit the situation. Del Piero has always been tempted by a move to Spain and the Chinese or the Americans would certainly give him a massive final payday to remember.
Certainly with the likes of Sebastian Giovinco and the arrival of Diego his place is no longer guaranteed, but who has been the outfit’s top scorer for the last two years? Who almost single-handedly brought down Real Madrid last season? And who is the club’s top assist man season after season?
So please, Mr Secco, stop playing dangerous games, drop everything and sign up Del Piero on the reduced salary terms which he is willing to accept. He didn’t jump ship when Juve were demoted and the Old Lady must now recognise the fact that he isn’t just a player, he is a symbol of Juventinitá. Sign him up, sign him up now.
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wow This guy is way over dramatizing things, trying to build up a heat around this, nice try there buddy.