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Juventus’s attractive salary offers have helped to hone in some of the most sought-after players in Europe.
However, their wage strategy makes it so difficult to offload those same players once they’re declining, overpaid and no longer part of the manager’s plans.
However, their wage strategy makes it so difficult to offload those same players once they’re declining, overpaid and no longer part of the manager’s plans.
Look at these player ages compared to their weekly wages:
-Sami Khedira (32, €142,442)
-Mario Mandžukić (33, €195,865)
-Gonzalo Higuaín (31, €338,327)
-Blaise Matuidi (32, €142,442)
-Juan Cuadrado (31, €142,442)
Good luck getting rid of these players after an off season.
-Sami Khedira (32, €142,442)
-Mario Mandžukić (33, €195,865)
-Gonzalo Higuaín (31, €338,327)
-Blaise Matuidi (32, €142,442)
-Juan Cuadrado (31, €142,442)
Good luck getting rid of these players after an off season.
I saw a headline today that made me chuckle:
“Juventus frustrated with Sami Khedira as unwanted midfield ace snubs Wolves transfer.”
Seriously? You’re frustrated with Khedira for not wanting to leave for a less prestigious club that would offer a significantly lower wage?
“Juventus frustrated with Sami Khedira as unwanted midfield ace snubs Wolves transfer.”
Seriously? You’re frustrated with Khedira for not wanting to leave for a less prestigious club that would offer a significantly lower wage?
Juventus gave Khedira a 2-year extension less than a year ago, amid rumors linking him to a move to PSG, who were looking at replacing Rabiot with the German.
They gave him that contract despite him being 31, injury-prone, and the worst midfielder in the squad.
They gave him that contract despite him being 31, injury-prone, and the worst midfielder in the squad.
If Juventus knew they were going to sign Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot on free transfers to add to a midfield core of Miralem Pjanić, Emre Can, Rodrigo Bentancur and Blaise Matuidi, then why did they give Khedira that contract? Why not just let him walk for free?
I said a few months ago that Juventus would be forced to do what they did with Claudio Marchisio, and terminate Khedira’s contract by mutual consent.
It looks like that possibility might be coming true soon.
It looks like that possibility might be coming true soon.
Giving players these massive contracts eliminates so many potential buyers who can’t afford to pay the players anywhere close to these wages.
You expect Monaco to pay €25m for a 32-year-old Blaise Matuidi whilst also offering him north of €100,000 per week?
You expect Monaco to pay €25m for a 32-year-old Blaise Matuidi whilst also offering him north of €100,000 per week?
Gonzalo Higuaín is considered a flop in Milan and a traitor in Napoli. Inter have already signed Lukaku and are chasing Džeko, so there’s really only one team in Italy that could be interested in Higuaín: Roma.
However, Roma are also looking at Icardi, who is warming to a move..
However, Roma are also looking at Icardi, who is warming to a move..
Higuaín was, perhaps harshly, pushed out of Juventus due to Cristiano’s arrival.
He flopped at Milan, then Chelsea. If Juve do manage to find a buyer, they’ll have to pay him a certain percentage of the remaining 2 years of his €338,327-per-week contract before selling him.
He flopped at Milan, then Chelsea. If Juve do manage to find a buyer, they’ll have to pay him a certain percentage of the remaining 2 years of his €338,327-per-week contract before selling him.
For the record, this issue isn’t exclusively limited to Juve; it’s a product of the growing inequality in football.
Almost every big European club struggles to offload unwanted players due to massive wages.
Almost every big European club struggles to offload unwanted players due to massive wages.
For example:
Manchester United: Alexis Sánchez (30, £500,000)
Real Madrid: Gareth Bale (29, £350,000)
PSG: Layvin Kurzawa (26, €75,000)
Arsenal: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (30, £200,000)
Barcelona: Ivan Rakitić (31, £150,000)
Atlético Madrid: Nikola Kalinić (31, £124,519)
Manchester United: Alexis Sánchez (30, £500,000)
Real Madrid: Gareth Bale (29, £350,000)
PSG: Layvin Kurzawa (26, €75,000)
Arsenal: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (30, £200,000)
Barcelona: Ivan Rakitić (31, £150,000)
Atlético Madrid: Nikola Kalinić (31, £124,519)
Juventus have built a domestic dynasty out of financial wisdom; they’ve cornered the rest of the competition by being one step ahead of everyone. Their track record is a testament to the brilliant work of Beppe Marotta, Fabio Paratici, Andrea Agnelli and everyone else at the top.
However, they’re putting all of their eggs into the Champions League basket, selling key pieces of their future (João Cancelo, Moise Kean) to afford a shot at Ol’ Big Ears.
All of that long-term planning and financial wisdom has gone down the drain.
All of that long-term planning and financial wisdom has gone down the drain.
Juventus are giving Danilo (28) a 5-year contract worth €5 million per year, whilst selling Cancelo (25) for Danilo + a minimal amount of compensation in respect to Cancelo’s current ability and potential.
They’re digging themselves into a deep hole here.
They’re digging themselves into a deep hole here.
If Juve fail to win the Champions League, they will look back at deals for Douglas Costa (28, €213,673), Leonardo Bonucci (32, €195,862) and Cristiano Ronaldo (34, €1,103,981) and wonder: was it really worth it?
This past season, Atlético Madrid tried and failed to win their first ever European Cup.
They knew the Final would be held in their brand new stadium.
They knew that Diego Godín, Filipe Luís and Juanfran would leave.
Antoine Griezmann, Rodri and Lucas Hernández soon followed.
They knew the Final would be held in their brand new stadium.
They knew that Diego Godín, Filipe Luís and Juanfran would leave.
Antoine Griezmann, Rodri and Lucas Hernández soon followed.
That being said, I’m not sure any team in recent years has felt the same amount of pressure Juventus have felt to win the Champions League. If they fail to win it, then the Ronaldo signing will ultimately go down as a mistake.
The thinnest margins can determine a legacy.
The thinnest margins can determine a legacy.
