Nedved rejected English offers
Pavel Nedved says he doesn’t regret his decision to snub a move to the Premiership in favour of playing in Serie B with Juventus.
The midfielder, who has appeared in over 200 matches for the Bianconeri, chose to remain in Turin after the Old Lady’s demotion rather than join the mass summer exodus.
“I had the opportunity to leave Italy and received some offers from England, where I admit I would have liked to play,” said Nedved in an interview with the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
“However, I felt that I couldn’t leave Juve in such a difficult moment. I made up my mind after the first verdict, which handed us the 30-point deduction.
“There hasn’t been any big change for me as this is still football – even if in Serie B. We are a good team and we hope we can immediately return to our highest levels.
“This year’s side is an interesting mixture of very experienced players and young talents,” added the former Lazio man.
“I think some of them are destined to become champions, such as Matteo Paro, Raffaele Palladino, Valeri Bojinov and many others.
“I don’t want to judge my former teammates who decided to leave as we are all free to make our own decisions.
“But I respect those who stayed like Alex Del Piero, Gianluigi Buffon, Mauro Camoranesi and David Trezeguet.
“It is nice to play next to players like them,” noted Nedved, who retired from international football after the World Cup.
The former European Player of the Year is also hoping that the CONI Arbitration Court will agree to reduce the 17-point deficit handed to the Bianconeri.
“I personally hope that the point deduction will be cancelled as I think we deserve it,” he underlined.
“All the other teams involved in the scandal are still in Serie A, while we were the only ones to be relegated. But I admit that I am not expecting too much.”
Nedved had initially decided to retire from football in 2006, but then extended his contract with Juventus until 2008.
“The former club officials convinced me to stay and I would like to honour this agreement,” he pledged.
“I am very motivated and I hope I can help the team return to Serie A. After that, my job here could be over.”
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