Juan Cuadrado leaves Juventus for Serie A rival Inter Milan
By Nick Belotto
Juan Cuadrado seems to be taking his talents to Milan.
The Colombian international signed a 1-year deal with an option for a second with Inter Milan yesterday. According to FootballItalia.com, the deal is for around €2.5 million. The 35-year-old had spent the last 7 seasons in Turin before moving to Inter.
Joining the Bianconeri in 2015 after a move from Chelsea, Cuadrado became a bit of a Swiss-army knife type of player. He played all over the pitch including spending time as an attacking winger, full-back, and outside midfielder. He did everything that his managers asked of him and did it with flair and excitement.
Towards the later parts of his time in Turin, however, his age started to show. He started to slow down just a bit and his dynamism started to wane. There is no denying, however, that Cuadrado was a crucial player in Juve’s success in the back half of the 2010s.
While losing Cuadrado to Inter is a blow to Juventus, it’s an important move for the club as they are trying to rebuild with a young foundation of players.
This move certainly hurts as Juventus is losing one of its leaders to a major rival for the Scudetto. It makes sense, however, for a club that desperately needs an infusion of youth and to rebuild the roster. Cuadrado, at 35 years old, didn’t fit that rebuild.
There should be nothing but thanks given to Cuadrado as he departs for Milan. He was a great player who was a part of great teams that helped put an incredible run for the Biaconeri together.
He will be missed.