Analyzing Juventus' targets: Saponara vs. Oscar
Nevertheless, the club’s CEO Giuseppe Marotta signed Inter’s surplus Hernanes on the transfer deadline day failing to meet Massimiliano Allegri’s requests who repeatedly asked for a strong offensive midfielder.
Juventus are also reported to have shortlisted Empoli’s ace Riccardo Saponara to fill the gaps left by Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez, two key players in Juventus’ triumphs over the last few years as they were able to collect the ball in deep positions, running with decision on goal, something that Paul Pogba and Paulo Dybala are still failing to show consistently, at least for now.
That’s why Giuseppe Marotta could finally bringing to the Stadium on offensive midfielder or a play-maker such as Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan from next January.
Oscar and Saponara have the same playing position and they both fit the profile of the young, experienced and talented offensive midfielder that Allegri is desperately hunting since last June.
Saponara’s contract with the Serie A relegation candidates is worth € 700.000 a year, but Juventus could tempt him offering a € 2 million per year deal. At the same time, Empoli’s requests for Saponara’s services are set to be in the region of € 20 million, a price that could be more than affordable for the Bianconeri’s finances, although both the club’s president and the player himself declared that his move from Empoli in the next transfer window is out of question.
The product of Milan Academy played nine Serie A games thus far scoring four goals and registering as much assists. Saponara’s performances at the Stadio Castellani are simply amazing. Somehow, he always manage to create numerical advantage in the midfield battle as he already shot 15 times on target creating 26 goal chances for the Tuscans. The 23-year-old is edging the best Serie A chances creator Miralem Pjanic, who has 30.
No dispute that Oscar’s International pedigree is better than Saponara’s, although the Brazil International is probably living the worst period of his career since he joined Chelsea in 2012. The 24-year-old performances are contributing to drag out Chelsea’s difficult situation as the Blues sit 16th in Premier League.
The product of Sao Paulo Academy played six Premier League games thus far scoring one goal and adding one more in Champions League. Oscar’s dipping form can be resumed in the only three goal attempts created in Premier League, while he could only shot four times on target.
To be fair, Oscar’s performances have also be influenced by his playing position as José Mourinho has played him down the left flank opting for Eden Hazard to play right behind Diego Costa.
Despite this, Empoli’s star Saponara seems much more involved in attacking action than than the former International starlet. Saponara won 25 fouls this term, while the latter has only seven. Despite these few statistics, Oscar’s price-tag is worth twice more than
Saponara’s as Chelsea’s requests for their offensive midfielder are around € 40 million, while the player’s contract with the club is worth € 5 million a year.
Who do you think will actually become Juventus’ next trequartista?
