Leonardo Bonucci will be the new captain of Juventus after the announced departure of Giorgio Chiellini, Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed.
The Bianconeri head coach was speaking ahead of Juve’s final home game against Lazio and said he wanted to ‘combine all three things’, referring to playing well while saying goodbye to the duo outgoing Chiellini and Paulo Dybala.
Chiellini has confirmed he will leave Juventus at the end of the season after losing 4-2 to Inter in the Coppa Italia final.
The veteran centre-back spent 17 years with the Bianconeri, winning 20 trophies during his time in Turin.
Dybala is also leaving the Allianz Stadium at the end of the campaign and has been linked with the likes of Inter, Atletico Madrid, Arsenal and Manchester United.
“It’s the last game at home, we have to honor it to the fullest. And then it’s Giorgio Chiellini’s party and Paulo Dybala’s last [game]we have to combine the three things,” Allegri told reporters at a press conference on Sunday.
“It’s two different things. Giorgio stops or has experience in America, I don’t know. Paulo changes teams. Both will have the fans’ tribute, as I think. [Lazio boss, Maurizio] Sarri, who returns and was the last [head coach] win the Scudetto with Juve.”
As for Juve’s next skipper, Allegri added: “The new Juventus captain will be Bonucci.”
The former Milan boss was also asked about Paul Pogba, who has been linked with a return to Juve once his contract at Manchester United expires next month.
“Pogba is a United player. Before we talk about the transfer market, let’s finish the season and then we’ll take stock with the club,” he said. “We don’t have to assess not only the market but also what happened during the 360 degree season.
“[Do I] do you remember Paul? I have already forgotten, several years have already passed. I have a full memory card.”
Allegri was asked to sum up the season, with Juve qualifying for the Champions League but never really challenging for the Serie A title race.
“I’m happy with the course and the goal, but not happy with not having won a trophy,” he said.
“The team did their best. Even though I always say ‘let’s play with those who are there’, in the long run we paid for the traumatic injuries: [Federico] Chiesa, [Weston] McKennie, Danilo, Bonucci… We have players who will certainly grow, then together with the club we will fill the gaps in this team.”
