Tardelli: Juventus could win scudetto with Kessie, Zirkzee; expects Gasperini to manage Juventus

Marco Tardelli stated in an interview with Tuttosport that Juventus could contend for the Serie A title if Kessie and Zirkzee were to join.

Will the championship belong to the Nerazzurri again?

It's possible. Based on the team rosters and Internazionale's past performances, this is a reasonable, even obvious, assessment. But the world of football is always full of unknowns: for now, Internazionale seems to be the only team with the strength to compete for the title, but predictions are always difficult, especially since the transfer window has not yet closed.

Traditional rivals Juventus and AC Milan have made distinctly different priority choices: one club with a rich heritage faces an expensive transfer market. Which side do you agree with more?

In my opinion, while Juventus certainly needs to greatly improve its club structure, the player aspect cannot be ignored either. Overall, many clubs have made ambitious signings this year: Como has invested heavily and still has several players to sell; Fiorentina's transfer dealings have also been quite excellent. I believe this will be an exciting Serie A season.

Is Juventus lacking leaders?

Indeed. However, the arrival of Kessie might fill this void. If Kessie, along with players like Zirkzee, were to join, Spalletti's Juventus could definitely challenge for the league title.

As a number ten, does Yıldız deserve the weight carried by the Juventus jersey?

In terms of technical ability for a number ten, he absolutely does. But he doesn't yet possess the leadership aura that Juventus urgently needs right now.

So he can't grow into such a leader in the future?

Perhaps in time. But he has been with the team for a while now and should have stepped up to carry the team, but at least so far, he hasn't. Of course, not all the blame can be placed on him alone.

Perhaps it's an environmental issue: Internazionale's lead is inseparable from the team's foundation built up over many years...

That's right, Marotta's ability is outstanding.

What about Carnevali?

He has already delivered very impressive results in football and also comes from this football operations system.

Did you expect Vlahovic to leave?

No, his chapter at Juventus has closed. I feel quite sorry, as I always thought he was a very good player. But at the time, everything was beyond redemption; I believe his relationship with the fans, the club, and even his teammates had broken down.

He moved to the Turkish league; football now has to face a new development landscape.

Essentially, football has to face the power of money.

Is money the only driving force for moving to these leagues?

Well, for now, I think so. Of course, I'm not denying the competitive level of the Süper Lig itself.

You just mentioned Como; is this the team that fascinates you the most?

It does interest me greatly. The club has strong financial resources, and the money is being used very well. However, Fiorentina also deserves a mention, their transfer window operations have been perfect. I think both of these teams are of a high standard: Como has already proven itself with results, while Fiorentina needs to deliver on the field.

Do you think Como can be a dark horse contender for the title?

Not quite to the point of contending for the title, but they have every hope of securing a Champions League spot.

You are very optimistic about Fiorentina's team building plan.

That's right, the club is willing to invest, and their transfer strategy is also very smart: signing a host of talented players, and more importantly, bringing in a high-level coach. Besides, I'm from Tuscany myself. Although I'm from Pisa, and logically shouldn't favor Fiorentina, I sincerely hope they perform well.

Paratici has once again proven that few can do his job as well as he does.

First, he chose the right coach; Grosso is a down-to-earth and reliable coach. Then he signed several strong players; even if Kean ultimately moves to Como, he has already brought in Pellegrino from Parma, a player with excellent physical attributes.

What do you think of Roma and Napoli?

Both teams can compete for a Champions League spot, but I don't see them contending for the league title. Unless they sign a few more significant new players in the final days of the transfer window. Roma has signed Mora, a very promising youngster, and with Dybala and Malen, the team can achieve a lot.

Gasperini's coaching career is only missing one real shot at the league title.

His coaching experience is extremely rich, and he can certainly take a chance. But in my opinion, like most people, the biggest favorite for the league title is still Internazionale. Of course, there will be teams that trouble Inter, and a long season is full of too many variables.

Are you curious what it would be like if Gasperini coached Juventus?

I'm actually quite looking forward to seeing that. I don't know why it has never come true: he has a peculiar personality, but his ability and reliability have always been unquestionable.

Gasperini once compared Piccili to you.

I don't pay much attention to such comparisons. I don't know if he is similar to me, perhaps there are still many differences, which can only be judged by daily training and matches. However, I'm quite happy that a player is being compared to me.

After so many years, you are still an external benchmark. Does this also indicate that Italy has produced too few talented players in recent years?

Not at all, it's just that football has completely changed now. I don't want to advocate for the rhetoric that 'football in the past was always better.'

Can Allegri experience a coaching rebirth at Napoli?

He is taking over a high-pressure environment: Conte had success at Napoli before, and his coaching stint at Milan wasn't outstanding. But I've always trusted Allegri; he is good at building pragmatic and efficient football, and that's what matters most.

Is there any player in Serie A whose style of play you find enjoyable to watch?

There are a few, but I'd rather see Italian native players who really catch my eye; unfortunately, there aren't many, as the performance of the Italian national team can attest.

Why is it difficult for us to produce those creative, entertaining number ten players anymore?

I think these types of players emerge in phases; there are times of abundant talent, and there are also times of scarcity. Unfortunately, we are currently in the latter. Additionally, young Italian players get too few playing opportunities. We need to be bold and put 18 and 20-year-olds on the field to gain experience. Other countries are doing it, and we should try too. No genius will be ruined by playing; only by stepping onto the field can a player's true value be tested. Becoming a star relies not only on foot skills but also, crucially, on the mind.

Speaking of the national team, do you find Malagò's work in his first two months as president convincing, or are there still many questions?

I didn't pay attention to any of that; I was on vacation during that time.

Is there any new generation Italian coach you expect to bring a surprise?

Gasperini can be said to have ushered in a new wave of coaches. A group of coaches is emerging, such as Grosso, who has already achieved good results, and Aquilani, who is about to join Serie A and is worth watching. Such talents certainly exist; we have always been good at developing coaches.

Which Serie A team do you think will be the disappointed one this season?

I can't say, I just hope it's not Fiorentina.

What about Lazio?

Their start certainly wasn't ideal; their squad construction is not yet complete, and their performance in the Coppa Italia has added insult to injury.

Gattuso once said that if there were no World Cup, he would coach abroad. Are some things better left unsaid?

Many things are said on the spur of the moment. I have no intention of criticizing anyone, especially since he was once my protégé, and I treated him like my own child. Such words could have been left unsaid, but people sometimes speak carelessly.