MAURIZIO SARRI is set to make a swift return to Serie A with the Chelsea boss agreeing a deal to join Juventus. Sarri left Stamford Bridge to join the Serie A champions last night after Juve director Fabio Paratici was forced to fly to London and agree a £7million divorce settlement. He replaces Max Allegri, […]
MAURIZIO SARRI is set to make a swift return to Serie A with the Chelsea boss agreeing a deal to join Juventus.
Sarri left Stamford Bridge to join the Serie A champions last night after Juve director Fabio Paratici was forced to fly to London and agree a £7million divorce settlement.
He replaces Max Allegri, who won five consecutive league titles in Italy, after just one season in England with Chelsea.
The Italian will arrive with ex-Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey already in the squad – while rumours circulate Paul Pogba, Gonzalo Higuain and Emerson are all targets for the Turin bound boss.
Here, SunSport details how a new-look Juve could set up if Sarri is given free rein in the market.
Former Gunners stopper Wojciech Szczesny arrived in Turin two years ago and had to be patient while waiting for first team football.
However, when club legend Gianluigi Buffon departed for PSG last season the Pole was promoted from understudy to No1.
Making 41 appearances last season, keeping 18 clean sheets, Szczesny has earned his spot between the posts and it is unlikely Sarri will look to replace the 29-year-old.
Centre-back pair Leonardo Bonucci and Daniele Rugani emerged as Allegri’s trusty back two, however, Andrea Barzagli announced his retirement at the end of the season.
Sarri may move for a back-up centre-half as Barzagli leaves the sport, and Benfica’s Ruben Dias has been a rumoured target.
In the full-back positions, right-back Joao Cancelo looks set for a Juve exit with both Manchester clubs already registering interest.
This means Sarri will likely reignite interest for Napoli man Elseid Hysaj – who he came close to signing for Chelsea last season.
The pair worked at Napoli together and Sarri wanted him to join Jorginho at Stamford Bridge but the move was blocked by Naples chiefs.
Chelsea left-back Emerson is also linked with a move back to Serie A as the former Roma man is wanted by Sarri – with Alex Sandro still a target for top European clubs.
As Ramsey arrives on a free transfer, Sarri is already plotting to have him paired in midfield with ex-Juve star Pogba.
The French ace is unsettled at Old Trafford amid links with a move to Real Madrid – but reports have emerged Old Lady bosses have “made contact” with United over a possible £150million transfer.
Pogba won four league titles while in Turin before returning to Old Trafford – but Juve are now battling Real for the Frenchman’s services.
Sarri brought Jorginho to Chelsea for £57m and faced backlash from Blues fans for having the Italian play in the deep lying role and shifting N’Golo Kante forwards.
It remains to be seen whether Sarri will insist on having the 27-year-old in his Juve line up – though “Sarriball” is reliant on a pass maestro like Jorginho.
Paulo Dybala looks set to leave Turin after his agent admitted the Argentine “needs a change” – and a swap for Inter Milan rebel Mauro Icardi is in motion.
Icardi was frozen out the Inter side for two months last season after a contract dispute also saw him stripped of captaincy and out of favour in Milan.
Sarri was keen to bring Icardi to Stamford Bridge but could be afforded the striker at Juve with the swap favoured for both sides.
Icardi could find himself partnered with Higuain, who joined Chelsea in January on loan after terminating his AC Milan stay.
Juventus still own Higuain and Sarri could insist on having the player return to Turin full-time as the pair enjoyed a successful stint with Napoli.
It would mean Ronaldo, who played both on the left and through the middle last season, would drop into a No10 role in order to make way for the two strikers.
