Marcello Lippi believes Juventus are stronger this season with Sami Khedira, Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Simone Zaza.
The former Bianconeri and Italy Coach spoke to newspaper La Stampa about the many changes in Turin, as Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez move on.
“Their rivals are making some big moves too and that’s a sign these sides are waking up, but it was Juve who really got the transfer market going – even though they needed it the least.
Marcello Lippi believes Juventus are stronger this season with Sami Khedira, Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Simone Zaza.
The former Bianconeri and Italy Coach spoke to newspaper La Stampa about the many changes in Turin, as Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez move on.
“Their rivals are making some big moves too and that’s a sign these sides are waking up, but it was Juve who really got the transfer market going – even though they needed it the least.
“This confirms the club’s ability to plan ahead with clear ideas. Juve are accustomed to renewal even after victory.
“I remember as soon as I got back to Juve in 2001, Umberto Agnelli called to tell me ‘we have to sell Zinedine Zidane.’ I didn’t take it well, but he added ‘we will reinvest everything.’
“Effectively, with that money we signed Gigi Buffon, Lilian Thuram and Pavel Nedved, so it wasn’t so bad… Basically, I tell the fans to let those who know what they’re doing to get on with it.”
The Bianconeri supporters have plenty of new faces to cheer on this summer.
“Khedira is a World Cup winner with a lot of experience,” explained Lippi.
“Dybala has fantastic tricks and when he gets a bit physically stronger we can expect great things from him.
“Mandzukic is the type of centre-forward Juventus were lacking, as he has more of a nose for goal than Fernando Llorente.
“I like Zaza very much, as he has good movement and can find the space between defenders. Daniele Rugani’s arrival confirms Juventus is the main provider of players for the Italy squad. This is also why they win, as the sense of belonging and identity is fundamental.”
Lippi had been linked with a return to Serie A as a director at Milan, but brushed off those suggestions.
“I don’t miss the life of a club Coach at all. I completed that experience. I’m not retired yet, though. I’m keeping the door open for a national team, but I have serious doubts, as now the strong sides choose someone in-house.”