Szczesny’s doubts: the Juventus goal between Perin, Carnesecchi and Di Gregorio

TORINO — The distance between the Juventus e Wojciech Szczesny the contract renewal opens up new scenarios for the Juventus goalkeeper and for the Pole’s future. With the contract expiring in 2025, the club is faced with a crossroads: extend the agreement by spreading the salary of almost 7 million euros over two years or part ways in this summer transfer market, so as not to experience the last season expiring. A dilemma that involves not only the goal, but also the locker room: Szczesny is increasingly central in the dynamics of the group, as well as providential between the posts. However, his refusal to spread the salary is a difficult obstacle to overcome: it is physiological that Juventus is starting to look around, from the possible promotion of Mattia Perin to the young people Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta) and Michele Di Gregorio (Monza). If it is not Polish, the Juventus goalkeeper could return to Italy.

Szczesny, the renewal negotiations

The distance between the parties is mainly due to Szczesny’s refusal to extend the contract for another year: Juventus’ proposal envisages a two-year contract worth 4 million euros per year, which would cover and even exceed the 7 million envisaged by the the last year of the agreement signed between the parties. An offer that did not warm the heart of the Pole, who has always shown attachment to the Juventus world, transforming him into an extreme defender not only on the pitch but also off it: at 34 years old, the Warsaw-born goalkeeper knows that these are the last years and that already at the end of theEuropean scheduled to leave this summer Poland, freeing up a place in the national team. There is no shortage of offers and even if his main option is to remain at Continassa, perhaps accompanying the new owner as Buffon did with him, his desires clash with personal interest, the awareness of having to collect as much as possible before leaving the soccer. Reliable, physically intact, Szczesny represents an expendable choice for various high-end clubs: from the Premier League to the Bundesliga it is difficult to find such reliable ones. On the other hand, there is certainly no shortage of alternatives for Juventus.

Perin and the possible promotion

Juventus already have one of the possible solutions to the goalkeeper dilemma at home. Perin has always dreamed of seizing the opportunity by becoming the owner of the Juventus goal: he demonstrated it both on the pitch, always responding with great performances every time he was called upon, and off, remaining at Juventus despite the spaces available for him, this season, they would have been limited to their run in the Italian Cup. Who, luckily for him, reached the final and, in some ways, also thanks to him: if the matches against Salernitana and Frosinone were easy, against Lazio he made decisive interventions. Too little, however, to be satisfied with the season, with 4 appearances in the cup and only 2 in the league, when an injury stopped Szczesny. Allegri he has always praised his professionalism, his importance for the group, highlighting his central role and the disappointment in not being able to grant him more minutes: the goalkeeper does not change lightly, hierarchies are the best guarantee of continuity.

Carnesecchi or Di Gregorio in the future?

At 31, Perin’s first opportunity could therefore come, even if the profiles Juventus are looking for are of the highest level, perhaps to be placed alongside Perin himself. The first is Carnesecchi, born in 2000 for Atalanta, a dream long cherished by the Bianconeri and which this summer could become reality. After having impressed everyone with his skills, this year he also added continuity, proving decisive for Atalanta’s amazing progress, excluding the Europa League. Carnesecchi has recently changed agents, relying on Lucci’s agency, a sign that many have interpreted as a desire for a change of scenery: however, the biggest obstacle is Atalanta’s evaluation of the player. If a year ago it was around 15 million, today it has risen further and would have reached 40 million euros. The price set by Adriano Galliani and Monza for Di Gregorio, another Italian goalkeeper in evidence this season, is different: the Inter school, young but not like Carnesecchi (born in 1997), has been at the center of long chats between Giuntoli e Galliani, given Juve’s need to find an alternative to Szczesny and not be caught unprepared in the event of a farewell. Inventive and exuberant, he has solid technical foundations and has stood out this year by saving two penalties, one of which against Vlahovic in the Bianconeri’s 1-2 victory in Monza. The 20 million requested by the Brianza players are a decidedly more affordable figure, even if it will be necessary to evaluate his performance wearing a heavy shirt like that of Juventus, especially with the many commitments that will characterize next season. It won’t be easy to replace Szczesny, who has always shown that he has the strength to bear the weight and responsibility of being Juve’s goalkeeper. Precisely for this reason the choice of his replacement, while negotiations continue, will be a key step for the next few years, for the new Juventus cycle: the casting has begun some time ago, we will have to wait a few more weeks for the response.