Both Cristiano Ronaldo and manager Andrea Pirlo will be at Juventus next season at least, according to vice-president Pavel Nedved.
This news has come in the wake of Juventus exit from the Champions League, a competition they have now gone twenty-five years without winning.
The likelihood, however, is that this news will be met to a mixed reception from the Juventus fans. Some will see this as stability, others as a sign that in a period of rebuilding The Old Lady are still relying on their older players.
Is Ronaldo worth it?
There is no denying Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest to ever lace a pair of boots. However, now in his third season in Turin and with his thirty-one million euro a year wage, the question is whether he is worth keeping at Juventus.
Ronaldo was brought in with the intention of bringing the Champions League trophy to Turin. But, three years on and not only has this not happened, Juventus haven’t even managed to get past the quarter-finals.
During this time Juventus have picked up two Serie A titles. But, now ten points off leaders Inter it looks unlikely this will be three-in-a-row.
If Juventus do fail to win the Serie A this year, it will mark the first time in a decade this has happened. If Ronaldo’s place in Turin cannot even guarantee the formality that the Serie A title has become, is he worth keeping?
Ronaldo of course has scored bags of goals (85 in 88), however individual accomplishments should never come before the team. If Ronaldo fails to guarantee trophies, maybe his future should lie elsewhere.
Alternatively, there is the argument that it should be manager Andrea Pirlo who leaves instead. Pirlo was a surprise appointment in the first place, and as we know managers are far more replaceable than top players.
What’s Next?
By keeping Pirlo at the club Juventus are sending a positive message. As opposed to handling a poor season with a sacking, they are showing their willingness to back their young manager.
However, with one of the higher average ages in the Serie A, other steps will need to be made. If Ronaldo is to stay, as his goal ratio would warrant, it could perhaps still be a summer of change in Turin.
With six regular starters in the last year or months of their contract, the time to rebuild looks set to be now.
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