Inconvenient Truth

What is a “football humiliation”?

It's extremely difficult to build a cohesive, progressive squad when offloading excess players is equally as important as acquiring new players. It's never been an effective path toward developing a foundation, and we've been in this mode at least twice in the past 5 years.

Glad Gatti's extension is sorted. Time will tell what his peak is, but he feels like a piece that we can continue growing with in some capacity. Clearly offers some form of leadership + provides a necessary grinta we otherwise lack. More needed, of course, but worth keeping.

I feel some conflate Joao Mario with being Juve's second signing as him being a major summer acquisition. Just because he's been acquired before other areas of need doesn't suggest he's among the club's marquee additions. Season approaches, but a long transfer window remains.

Has everyone just totally excluded the possibility that Joao Mario might actually be decent at Juve? Give things a chance, eh. There's no valor or reward in later being able to say, "I knew all along it wasn't going to work" if things don't pan out.

I'd like to think Douglas Luiz being a no-show is a misunderstanding of some sort, but that's an unusual level of lack of professionalism that we're (fortunately) pretty unaccustomed to seeing at Juve in quite a while. Luiz and Italy may truly just not be a fit at all.

The beauty of low expectations. Rather than wanting Joao Mario to fail in order to fulfill a narrative, I choose to remain hopeful. Beyond evaluating the business of a deal, the determination is made sul campo. 🤷‍♂️

With Hancko off to Atletico, you wonder where that leaves Veiga now..

Not all moves/decisions are big or consequential. Some are minor or of lesser scale. Rugani remaining at Juve - if he does - is demonstrative of a good minor decision. Useful reserve players with experience who have won before are of worth. Especially to this squad.

(We hope) Juve is deeply involved in the CB market this summer, so Hancko's move to Al-Nassr falling through could have an effect on the market if he remains in Europe now, as expected.

Listen, I like Alberto Costa. But the fact that approximately two months ago there would have likely been an indifference to his departure says a lot of how variable and vascillating some of the fan base is. Lately, a martyr is made out of every player sold, it feels.

I'm less offended by the notion that Juve would sell Miretti as I am that he'd be sold for €10-15M. Especially if it were to Napoli, no less. At some point, the club must become an aggressive seller and impose on the market when moving players.

Joao Mario has the look of a player who will be a good fit as a wing back. Offensively inclined and still a work in progress defensively, as the former out-and-out offensive winger he is. I'm hopeful for him. No doom and gloom. I'll reserve judgment.