With the transfer window shut, Football Italia rates the transfer campaigns of the big clubs, and first up it’s champions Juventus.

Words: Vincent Van Genechten

An Italian double and a Champions League final. Improving upon last season won’t be easy for Juventus but they assembled the right pieces after a controversial summer.

Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi has been named in the France squad to face the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

The 30-year-old joined the Bianconeri from Paris Saint-Germain last week in a €20m deal, which could rise by a further €10.5m depending on appearances.

Today Didier Deschamps has named his France squad for the upcoming international break, and Matuidi has been included.

Blaise Matuidi says “everyone dreams of winning the Champions League, but you can’t do it overnight” after joining Juventus.

The Bianconeri have won the Scudetto for the past six seasons in a row, and have won the Coppa Italia in each of the past three years.

However, they’ve been beaten in the Champions League final in both 2015 and 2017, and haven’t lifted the trophy since 1996.

New Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi laughs “better late than never” after completing his move from Paris Saint-Germain.

The French international was set to join the Bianconeri last summer, but PSG pulled the plug at the last minute.

Last week though Juve finally got their man, and he made his debut during the 3-0 win over Cagliari on Saturday.

“This is a great club with a habit of going far in the Champions League, and winning the Scudetto,” Matuidi said in his official presentation.

Max Allegri was critical of Juventus defending again in a 3-0 win over Cagliari and underlined the importance of Mario Mandzukic.

The Croatian, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain secured a 3-0 victory, while Gigi Buffon parried the first penalty to be awarded in Serie A using VAR.

“We needed a strong performance after the Super Cup, although we weren’t consistent throughout the 90 minutes.

Blaise Matuidi could make his Juventus debut tomorrow, as he’s been included in the squad to face Cagliari.

The midfielder officially completed his move from Paris Saint-Germain earlier today, signing for €20m plus another potential €10.5m in bonuses.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri has opted to put the French international straight into his squad for tomorrow’s match, so he could feature at some point.

Kwadwo Asamoah is also in the party, despite rumours he's close to joining Turkish side Galatasaray.

Paris Saint-Germain have also confirmed Blaise Matuidi’s Juventus move, describing him as “an emblematic figure”.

The midfielder has signed for the Bianconeri on a three-year contract, for €20m plus bonuses.

“Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi has made a permanent transfer to Italian side Juventus,” the French side announced on their website, following Juve’s own statement.

Blaise Matuidi is “very honoured” to have signed for Juventus, after officially joining from Paris Saint-Germain.

It was confirmed this afternoon that the French international has signed for a fee of €20m, a fee which could rise by another €10.5m depending on appearances.

“I’m very proud, I feel happy to wear this great shirt, I’m very honoured,” Matuidi told Juventus’ official website.

“I’m impatient to meet my new teammates, see the pitch and start the season with my new team.

Juventus are expected to stick with 4-2-3-1 for the opening game of Serie A, with Sami Khedira and Miralem Pjanic in midfield.

Following the defeat to Lazio in the Supercoppa and the arrival of Blaise Matuidi from Paris Saint-Germain, it has been suggested the Bianconeri could switch to 4-3-3.

However, today’s training session at Juventus Stadium appeared to indicate that last season’s shape will be retained, at least initially.

Juventus have officially confirmed the signing of Paris Saint-Germain’s Blaise Matuidi, for a fee of €20m plus bonuses.

The French international took his medicals with the Bianconeri on Wednesday and Thursday, and his signing has now been officially confirmed.