Locatelli is the 5th European champion on which Allegri can count. Brings quality, freshness and the winning spirit of the national team
TORINO
From Wembley to the Stadium, the dream continues. Manuel Locatelli enjoys every moment of his new Juventus life: he strongly wanted all this, he waited months to dress the black and white and now he feels a joy similar to that of the European final won against England. The chants of 150 fans during the medical examinations, the first autographs, the tour of the venue and the video announcement with the web star Khaby Lame as a special guest, yesterday were the tangible signs of a changed dimension. And when the 23-year-old blue midfielder looks out from the Continassa terrace, where he has just signed the contract in the presence of the vice president Pavel Nedved, the thoughts turn to the long path he has taken and what he will now have to do as the new symbol of Allegri’s ItalJuve. Before his eyes there is the Juventus stadium and at his side is his girlfriend Thessa: it is easy to think back to everything that happened in this unforgettable summer, from the brace in Switzerland to the landing in Turin with the title of champion in the middle. ‘Europe, but now there is a future to be written. «It is the dream that comes true – says Locatelli -: it is the dream of a child who has worked so hard, giving everything on the pitch, to get to Juve. I want to take the field for the fans and I can’t wait to do it at the Stadium: this is a starting point ».
He did not give up when Milan hastily sold him in 2018, spending it at Sassuolo where he literally exploded, and now Locatelli goes to the box office. On a contractual level, given that until 2026 he will earn up to 3 million euros net per season, and also in prospects. He will fight for the Scudetto and play in the Champions League, playing a leading role in a team that has strongly focused on him: not only treating him relentlessly with Sassuolo, but investing 35 million euros to get him. The formula is that of the free two-year loan with compulsory redemption in 2023 for 25 million plus 12.5 of bonuses and a percentage in favor of the Emilian club (from 10 to 20% based on the bonuses already collected) in the event of future resale.
He arrived last, but he’s in a hurry. Already this afternoon he will play in the friendly match at Continassa against the Juventus Under 23 (7 pm on Sky Sport Calcio) and above all he will make his debut on Sunday in Udine in a midfield without the injured Arthur and Rabiot, as well as the suspended McKennie (he has market in the Premier: if he leaves, Pjanic can arrive). Locatelli will probably abandon his beloved shirt number 73, yesterday he signed autographs with the number 27, but what he will give on the field counts as both the director can do in front of the defense and the attacking mezzala. An authentic wild card that Allegri strongly wanted (it was the primary objective of this market) and will exploit relentlessly, also because since his debut in Serie A (21 April 2016), Locatelli is the youngest player on the move to have played at least 100 appearances in Serie A (144) with 8 goals and 11 assists. He is not lacking in quality, neither is the desire and then he brings that healthy enthusiasm son of Mancini’s national team as a dowry. The fifth blue column after Chiellini, Bonucci, Bernardeschi and Chiesa is ready to dream again. –