ALVISE CAGNAZZO: Angel di Maria and Leandro Paredes have left a depleted Juventus ahead of the return of Serie A due to their long World Cup celebrations – the Argentine duo look set to leave this summer and are unmissable.
- Two Argentine stars only returned to Turin on January 2 – angering supporters
- Lautaro Martinez returned to Inter Milan earlier to try and gain some sharpness
- Angel di Maria or Leandro Parades are unlikely to be ready for the first game back
Angel di Maria and Leandro Paredes continue to disappoint Juventus supporters.
Having yet to cover the world since joining the club this summer, it is hoped that a successful World Cup could set both players up for the second half of the season – after the best spluttering starts to their careers in Juventus – which starts on Wednesday night.
However, both Di Maria and Paredes enjoyed extended breaks in Argentina – angering Juventus supporters who felt they should have returned at the end of last month in time to be in contention for the trip to Cremonese.
Juventus supporters have been left furious by the failure of Leandro Paredes (centre) and Angel di Maria (right) to return in time to be ready for their first game back
Both are almost certain to leave Juventus in June 2023 without a contract extension proposal emerging from the club.
The situation surrounding their return has caused many problems for the club with supporters left furious at their non-return.
Lautaro Martinez, a world champion like Di Maria and Paredes, has decided to bring forward his return to Italy to have solid training on his legs before the start of the league season again.
Di Maria endured a tough few months in a Juventus shirt due to injuries but scored in the World Cup final
Adrien Rabiot also looked forward to his return by returning to Turin in time for Paredes and Di Maria to attend a New Year’s Eve party organized by Messi. Photos and videos of the celebrations created discontent in the media, and angered supporters.
This attitude annoys everyone: from players to fans. Allegri faces a trip to strugglers Cremonese without a number of key players due to injury, with supporters viewing the absence of Di Maria and Paredes as completely unnecessary.
Paul Pogba, Dusan Vlahovic, Leonardo Bonucci, Mattia De Sciglio and Juan Cuadrado are definitely out of Wednesday’s match.
Both Paredes and Di Maria spent time in Argentina celebrating the World Cup
Di Maria still has a six-month contract but is likely to return to Argentina – and specifically – Rosario as his career draws to a close.
Paredes, on the other hand, proposes a different puzzle. His loan expires in June 2023 and Juventus currently have no intention of spending the best part of £20million to buy him outright.
Their salaries are very high and cutting the two players would allow Juventus to save around £26m gross – thereby freeing up valuable funds for the purchase of a top class player.
Paredes (R) joined from Paris Saint-Germain last summer on loan but has struggled throughout the season
Di Maria’s lowlight of his time in Turin came when he was sent off against Monza in September
Both struggled in the early knocks of the season. Di Maria suffered two rather unusual injuries while he was also suspended after being relegated to Monza.
Paredes, on the other hand, has so far been something of a mystery, a UFO that landed in Turin in the final days of the transfer market, if you will. He was released by Paris Saint-Germain after another season in which they failed to win the Champions League and had other suitors in the summer but failed to explain this to the Italian giants.
The rise of youngsters Nicolo Fagioli and Fabio Miretti has left people wondering if his place on the bench could be under threat.
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