Ghirardi basically says Cigarini is going to Juve.

By: Francesco | March 27th, 2008

Usually there is tons of speculation of transfers during the season that most owners refute, but when an owner actually admits that something is happening, that’s when you to have to listen up.

Yesterday Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport (If you’re a Torino or Juve fan, read Tuttosport) asked Ghirardi if anything was happening with Luca Cigarini. Instead of saying what most owners would say, like “No, nothing, we’ll see at the end of the season”, he said: “It’s true, I just talked to Blanc (Juve director) yesterday. I want to forge a good relationship with Juventus. The personal relationship is already great, but I’m talking about possible transfers we can do together. Both clubs will gain something: We can give Juventus are young talents, and Juventus can give us players that don’t get enough playing time in Torino.”

So, it looks like Cigarini is a Juventus player for next season, especially with Ranieri there and all. Also, I wasn’t expecting the Gialloblu’ to keep hold of Ciga this summer anyway, so it is a big loss, but it’s expected. However, I liked what Ghirardi said in the second part. He wants Parma to be a Juventus feeder club. And that’s fine by me. Juventus has an excellent youth system that produces talented players, and they have good players that don’t get playing time and want to be loaned out. If we are going to become Juventus 2, be my guest.

And here’s my list of players that I’d want from Juventus (and don’t worry there is no ridiculous name like the return of Buffon or something):

1) Sebastian Giovinco - I can dream right? The U21 rising star will go back to Juventus camp this summer after his loan spell at Empoli. However, will Juventus really give him a first team chance next season, especially with all the talk that they want big stars? In the case that Juventus decides to send him out on loan for one more year we’d be the first choice club for him to go to. And how great it would be to have someone that makes the difference like Giovinco. Other fantasisti like Zola and Mutu floruished here, now it would be Giovinco’s turn.

2) Claudio Marchisio - With Cigarini gone, we would need a player to fill the central midfielder hole, and that would be Claudio Marchisio. Marchisio is another U21 star, and he’s the Juventus version of Daniele De Rossi. He is a strong center midfielder with excellent passing ability and technical skill with great defensive skills as well. It’s only a matter of time before he becomes one of the best midfielders in Italy. However Ranieri said earlier this year that Juve’s first reinforcement for next season would be Marchisio. Let’s see if he stands by his word.

3) Raffaele Palladino - If we don’t get Giovinco, the second choice would be Raffaele Palladino. Palladino is a former U21 starlet who can play as a support striker, playmaker, or on the wing. He is very talented with lots of skill and technique but he just lacks consistency, and that won’t get better if he never plays, which is his current situation. He would fit in well in a Cuper 4-4-2 and he already played with Lucarelli at Livorno. That’s a plus. The Juve fans call him “Raf Alladino” which means Aladdin, because he works magic with the ball.

4) Paolo De Ceglie - De Ceglie is an attacking left-back ala Zambrotta, and is a starter for the Italy U-21 team and for Siena in Serie A. He’s on loan but co-owned so it all depends if Juve really want him back. He is a very promising prospect and excellent at getting forward and crossing, and has good technical ability. He could be a good option for us.

5) Marco Marchionni - This is an idea. Marchionni was a standout with Parma before Juventus decided to snap him up before the 2006 World Cup. Unfortunately, the guy is always injured, so he never plays. Ranieri holds him in high regard, but depending on what Juventus do this summer I don’t think the explosive winger will get much of a chance next season, and a return to Parma would be a good idea.

6) Buffon - You know I had to say it.

PS- I found the Tommaso Ghirardi sex tape. Watch at your own risk: