Massimiliano Allegri warned Cristiano Ronaldo that he’ll “need to rotate” and take on even further responsibility next season as he held his first press conference since returning as Juventus boss.
Much has been made of Ronaldo’s future this summer. The 36-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the 2021/22 campaign and Paris Saint-Germain hold an interest in acquiring the Portuguese great in the current transfer window.
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However, the club are confident Ronaldo will stay after he returned for pre-season training on Monday.
Allegri’s presser quotes on Ronaldo
Allegri echoed Juve’s optimism as he spoke to the media on Tuesday afternoon, although he did send the veteran forward a subtle warning regarding the greater responsibility he wants him to take on for the upcoming campaign.
“Ronaldo is a great player and a smart guy. I spoke to him yesterday as I did with the others,” Allegri said.
“I told him that this is an important season and that I am happy to meet him again, now he has more responsibility, because three years ago we had a more experienced team, while now there are younger players.
“I expect a lot from him in terms of responsibility, he is in good condition and he is fit.
“There are different moments in a season, playing one game every three days I’ll need to rotate the team, involving all the players,” the Italian boss concluded.
We all know how much Ronaldo loves to sit on the bench, right?
Dybala the vice-captain
The future of Paulo Dybala remains uncertain despite reports suggesting that Allegri wants the Argentine to be a protagonist in his second project at the club.
La Joya’s contract also expires next summer and the club are yet to agree to an extension. There’s hope, however, that the situation will be resolved soon with the player’s agent arriving in Turin on Monday for talks.
Nevertheless, Allegri still has his heart set on a Dybala-led Juventus next season. In his presser, he revealed that the maverick Argentine “can be the vice-captain” to Giorgio Chiellini, who is set to sign a one-year extension at the club.
That means Leonardo Bonucci has been completely stripped of the captaincy, a decision Allegri attributes to the defender’s exit to AC Milan back in 2017.
Regarding Dybala, Allegri also added: “I expect a lot from him, I’ve spoken to him and he is very motivated. There is enthusiasm and this is the most important thing.
“He is a player who can score goals, even 20 or 25 each season.”
Over to you, Paulo.