25/09/2007 18:27
Thuram Linked With Juventus Return
After the horrific injury sustained by defender Jorge Andrade on Sunday, French veteran Lilian Thuram is the latest defender to be linked with Juventus.
Portugal defender, Andrade, sustained a broken kneecap during the 2-2 draw with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. Early reports suggested that the defender was almost certain to miss the rest of the season and La Gazzetta dello Sport even claimed that the player’s career may be over.
It now appears that Andrade will be out until March but this still leaves Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri desperate to bring in at least one top-class central defender.
The Bianconeri have been linked with a host of players since Sunday. Branislav Ivanovic, Diego Lugano, Luigi Di Biagio, Paolo Negro and most recently Tomas Ujfalusi have all been touted as possible replacements.
Tuttosport are now reporting that the Juventus hierarchy will make their move for out-of-favour Barcelona centre back Lilian Thuram. The French legend played for Juventus for five seasons between 2001 and 2006, winning four Scudetti.
He left to join the Spanish-giants after the Calciopoli scandal in 2006 but has lost his place in the Barca first-team and now finds himself way down the defensive pecking order, behind the likes of Carles Puyol, Rafael Marquez and new signing Gabriel Milito.
Thuram, who will turn 36 in January, is believed to be in favour of the move in order to get regular first-team football ahead of the Euro 2008 Championships next June. Ranieri has also given his go-ahead as he believes the France record cap-holder will act as the perfect mentor for the young Domenico Criscito, whilst also adding some much-needed experience to the Juve back-line.
goal.com