Serie A – Juventus – Inter Milan: Chiellini, the clap de fin?

Much more than the one against Sweden in November 2017.”We are destroyed, was kind enough to concede “Chiello” in the wake of this new elimination. But we have to move on“With or without him?”Now is not the time to talk about it“, he swept away, he who played against Turkey on Tuesday, his 116th match in selection. He ranks fifth in the ranking of the most capped players, dominated by Gianluigi Buffon (176 matches).

In the space of seven months, Chiellini has therefore experienced his greatest joy and, probably, his greatest disappointment with an “azzurro” jersey that he loves so much. From the triumph of Wembley to the apocalypse of Palermo. Like going from heaven to hell. It is on this bad note that the native of Pisa should say stop, at least with his selection. He would have liked to do it after the adventure in Qatar, which would have postponed for a year any reflection around the end of his career. Missed. We will have to start it now, since his contract with Juve, extended last August after his role as protagonist at the Euro, expires at the end of the season.

He would gladly stay, but…

Within his club, no one discusses the importance of the one who has played 552 matches since his very first in October 2005, Juve-Messina won by the Bianconeri. But his tormented season, with 17 matches played (12 starts) and 13 missed due to injury, in addition to several appearances on the bench, useful above all to make his presence felt in the group, will lead his leaders to discuss his near future. A meeting that has become usual between the parties at the end of each season, by the way. Last year, the victory of the Euro and the return of Massimiliano Allegri on the bench convinced everyone. But according to The Gazzetta dello Sportthe Piedmontese management is not convinced this time to exercise the extension option it has.

“Juve have started a rejuvenation projectwrote the daily on Monday. She intends to continue next summerWith this in mind, the Old Lady has already completed the arrival of Italian defender Federico Gatti (23), who has remained on loan at his club Frosinone until the end of the season. She could do the same with Antonio Rüdiger (29), at the end of his contract with Chelsea and whose transfer would be on the right track.If Chiellini would gladly stay at Juve, the economics graduate is not naive and sees the doors slowly closing. Especially since the house is now well guarded by Matthijs de Ligt, author of his best season since his arrival in Turin.Then Leonardo Bonucci, his friend always in club as in selections, has already announced his desire to continue on all fronts, especially for “serve as a guide” to the new generation in his words.

Stop or again?

For Chiellini, a big question: what if Juve asks him to leave? Several hypotheses according to the transalpine media. The first, to stay in “his” club for a retraining as a leader, often mentioned in the offices of Via Druento. But if his physique still holds up, and this end of the season could help him learn more in this direction, the defender would not say no to an experience abroad. Not in Italy. And not in Europe either. But rather on the side of the MLS, in particular for “try a new life experience“, as the Journal. A bit like what a certain Alex Del Piero was able to do at the time.

“Il Pinturicchio” had no hesitation in getting back into action at Sydney FC, before finally hanging up his boots with the Indian club Delhi Dynamos. “Chiello” could follow the same path as his friend, who is ahead of him in the ranking of matches played with the Bianconeri (705 against 552), with Gigi Buffon in the role of referee between the two (685).

Whether his story ends (or not) at the end of the season, the mark that Chiellini will leave on Juve is indelible. After a loan to Fiorentina during the 2005-2005 season, the Tuscan defender, adored by his tifosi, respected but also hated by others, will have known everything with the Old Lady. From the descent in Serie B in 2006 to the rebirth of the 2010s. His prize list? Nine scudetti, five Italian Cups and five Italian Supercups. Not really crumbs. In the most difficult times, the Bianconeri have always been able to rest on the broad shoulders of their number 3 who could play his last “Italian Derby” on Sunday evening against Inter Milan (8:45 p.m.).