Could new Juventus midfielder Hernanes be a missed opportunity for the Premier League?

It was a summer of mixed emotions for fans of Juventus.  After a 2014-15 campaign that saw them secure the Coppa Italia, a fourth straight Serie A title and have a run to the UEFA Champions League final, some upheaval in the transfer market was inevitable, with the squad at the end of its cycle. […]
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sambafoot_admin
2015-09-12 20:00:00

It was a summer of mixed emotions for fans of Juventus. 

After a 2014-15 campaign that saw them secure the Coppa Italia, a fourth straight Serie A title and have a run to the UEFA Champions League final, some upheaval in the transfer market was inevitable, with the squad at the end of its cycle.

A number of the lynchpins of the side – Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal – moved on throughout the window.

The gaps left in Head Coach Massimiliano Allegri’s squad were filled by various arrivals, but the tactician also craved something new – a specialist trequartista [play-maker].

After persistently pursuing Schalke 04’s Julian Draxler, Director General Giuseppe Marotta saw his bid gazumped by VfL Wolfsburg, leaving him short of his preferred target and with just 24 hours, or so, to find an alternative.

He would eventually secure a deadline day deal for Hernanes with rivals Internazionale. 

The Brazil international – capped 27 times since 2008 – cost around €11 million and has a contract until June 2018.

Hernanes, now aged 30, is at the opposite end of his career to Draxler. He has been in Italy since August 2010, when Lazio signed him from São Paulo, and is established as one of Serie A’s most intriguing midfielders.

His form in his early years in Rome was outstanding and culminated in a starring role as Lazio defeated city rivals Roma to win the 2013 Coppa Italia.

In each of his first three seasons at Lazio, he netted over ten goals [in all competitions] and featured in at least 35 matches per campaign.

For the 2013-14 season however, those stats wained and once Inter came in with a bid of €18 million in January 2014, his time at Lazio was up.

Hernanes arrived in Milan ready to be at the forefront of Inter’s revival under new owner Erick Thohir, but rarely shone.

Despite making 52 appearances, he struggled for consistency and was limited to odd moments of genius, including three goals against former employees Lazio.

With Inter investing heavily this summer, it was no surprise when Hernanes was allowed to move. The question now is whether he can get back to his best.

The veteran certainly has confidence in himself and is set on playing in his best position.

"I want to play at trequartista, so that’s where I see myself and that’s where I expect to play," he told Juventus’ official website, as reported by Football Italia. "It’s the position I think suits me best."

At Inter, he was often deployed deeper and could not influence as he desired. Under Allegri, that should change.

With only Argentina international Roberto Pereyra to compete with, Hernanes will get playing time.

At Lazio, he showed that with a team set up to suit him, he can thrive. 

Draxler may have been an exciting option, but Hernanes offers more guarantees, at least in the short-term.

His expertise at set-pieces – Juventus have lost both Pirlo and Tevez – is an added asset he brings, while his experience in Serie A – he"s played over 150 matches – is invaluable.

Whether Hernanes can dominate like he did at Lazio is unclear, but at a time when Juventus have lost so much experience and leadership, he could be a signing that is quickly appreciated.

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