The editorial team of TuttoJuve.com contacted by telephone, exclusively, the current collaborator of the sports director Dario Srna in Shakthar Donetsk, Carlo Nicolini, to talk in depth about Merih Demiral – who made his debut with the Turkish national team – and not only:
With Bonucci’s injury, Demiral’s ownership is greatly strengthened. How are you judging it so far?
“He is a growing boy, I have seen him very well recently with his national team. Merih is finding his continuity, I think that for the Juventus managers he is certainly the defender of the future. And playing with a certain regularity would certainly make him more aware of his means, but also calmer and freer to express his enormous potential. I think he will be able to take advantage of Bonucci’s injury, who in the last year has certainly not always been at the top in terms of performance “.
You have defined him as the defender of tomorrow, but surely with de Ligt he could make up what would be the couple of the future for the bianconeri. But in your opinion, could it already be permanently in the present with Bonucci and Chiellini who would cover the role of reserves?
“I don’t think it would be easy to keep two players like Bonucci and Chiellini on the bench, because of their great experience but also because the coach played with us only a few years ago. This is actually the ideal situation to see de Ligt and Demiral together. they are young and surely they need patience and not to be excessively criticized for the mistakes they will commit. If both were able to guarantee a certain defensive solidity, then I would not see it as a scandal to leave the two veterans out “.
Is it more effective in a three or four defense?
“In my opinion it is better in a three-man defense, because in one-on-one he is really very strong. A four, on the other hand, where positioning matters most is not yet at the top. Obviously we are talking about a player who can cover both. the roles, it will be necessary to understand what Pirlo will specifically ask for and what the balance will be with the department. He will adapt as best he can “.
Market rumors approach Hakan Calhanoglu, a bit of an old ball since Paratici had been following him since the days of Hamburg. Could he be the right player for this team?
“Hakan has proved to be devastating, he lacks a bit of continuity even if in the last period he has shown to make everyone change their mind. At Milan he has always played out of role and it was unthinkable that he could express his real potential now he seems a bit disturbed by what are the events outside the field. A free transfer is certainly a bargain for anyone, I think Juventus could add a further pawn in that role to improve a squad that is already the strongest in the league ” .
Where would it possibly be placed, behind the two points?
“He is a 10 of technique, of tactics, of head. Hakan must play behind a striker or as an attacking midfielder, because he is very good in the last pass and is able to fit perfectly into the spaces created by the strikers. wing player, in that area of the pitch he is limited as he does not have the starting point as a winger.
However, at this moment Juventus seems to be covered in that role.
“He is not a turn-over player, but he must always be a starter. If he is not given importance, Hakan is not one of the many and therefore does not perform as he should. Then clearly it would be up to him to repay the trust and gratitude of his future new team “.
Was Juve right to lend Douglas on loan rather than give him one last chance?
“Yes, in my opinion it was right. He had several opportunities to perform at his best, but he never took advantage of them. The company made targeted purchases in that sector, surely there would have been even more confusion for Andrea Pirlo”.
We thank Carlo Nicolini for the courtesy and availability shown during this interview.
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