Lukaku to Juventus? Former Bianconero Massimo Mauro weighs in

The potential transfer of Romelu Lukaku to Juventus has become the talk of the town, with the Bianconeri making a strong push for the Belgian striker. Massimo Mauro, a former Juventus player, recently shared his thoughts on the matter in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Mauro expressed both skepticism and cautious optimism while discussing Lukaku’s potential move to Turin, reflecting on similar past signings and emphasizing the importance of team building and identity.

Expressing skepticism

“Until I see it, I won’t believe it. But then again, I wouldn’t be surprised because anything can happen in today’s football,” remarked Mauro, highlighting his reservations about Lukaku’s potential arrival at Juventus. He questioned the wisdom of signing players who have previously expressed reluctance to wear the Bianconeri jersey.

Drawing parallels to past signings

“Because there have already been similar moves in Juventus’ history. I think of Capello, Sarri, and even Higuain… They seemed like fierce rivals, but they turned out to be winners in black and white,” Mauro recalled.

He noted that despite initial reservations, these signings played pivotal roles in Juventus’ success. While acknowledging the changes in the football landscape, Mauro emphasized the importance of a sense of belonging and a clear team identity.

Preferential treatment for Vlahovic

Mauro expressed his preference for Dusan Vlahovic, stating, “Vlahovic has a brighter future than Lukaku, it’s objective.” He suggested investing in the 23-year-old Serbian striker, providing him with more time to develop and organizing a game plan to showcase his strengths.

Mauro posed thought-provoking questions about player performance, questioning whether it solely depends on individual ability or if it is influenced by the team’s style of play and overall dynamics.

Allegri’s influence and Giuntoli’s role

Regarding coach Massimiliano Allegri’s influence, Mauro observed, “Lukaku seems more like a move for Allegri than Giuntoli. We’re talking about an established and reliable striker.”

He acknowledged Allegri’s successful track record and indicated that Lukaku’s performance would likely be impacted by the coach’s ability to revitalize the team’s playing style and bring back enthusiasm to the stadium.

Inter’s response and the uncertain future

Mauro cautioned against assuming Inter Milan would weaken without Lukaku, stating, “It doesn’t necessarily mean Inter will weaken; they will sign another striker. Things can go worse or better. Just think of Napoli last year…”

He emphasized the unpredictable nature of the transfer market and the potential for surprising outcomes when reshaping a squad.