Mattia Perin praised teammate Manuel Locatelli for earning a spot in the Italy squad while also expressing confidence in Juventus’ Scudetto ambitions. Meanwhile, Paul Pogba’s potential move to Inter Miami intensifies as his exit from Juventus nears, with his links to the club growing stronger despite recent challenges.
Perin Praises Di Gregorio: “Deserved the Call-Up”
Juventus goalkeeper Mattia Perin believes the team is fully capable of competing with anyone while also commenting on his rivalry with Michele Di Gregorio.
Since arriving at Juventus in 2018, the goalkeeper has played a supporting role behind Wojciech Szczesny. His time in Turin was briefly disrupted by an 18-month loan to his former club, Genoa after Gianluigi Buffon returned to Juventus, but his position remained largely unchanged when he returned to the team in 2021.
This season, however, Perin has been getting more playing time under Thiago Motta. While Di Gregorio was given the starting role right away after joining Monza, the manager continues to provide his second-choice goalkeeper with regular opportunities to showcase his ability.
The 31-year-old has made three Serie A appearances so far, maintaining a clean sheet in the league. He also delivered an excellent performance against Stuttgart in the Champions League, although it wasn’t enough to stop Juventus from suffering their first defeat of the season. As a result, Perin values Motta’s rotation approach, recognizing that competition can be beneficial for all players.
“In football, you play a lot of matches, so the club must have a highly competitive squad, with all the players interchangeable,” said the goalkeeper in his interview with Sky Sport Italia via IlBianconero.
“We must move towards a sport where one player gets 25 matches and another 35. Motta is already doing so. It creates a good competitive spirit that helps you improve.”
Perin also thinks Juventus should be contenders for the Scudetto, while also praising his teammate Manuel Locatelli, who has been included in the Italy squad.
“It’s going to be a great battle for the Scudetto. Being inside the locker room and seeing how we work, I say we can compete with anyone.
“Manu and I are very good friends; we help each other in the locker room. He is playing at a very high level, so he deserved the call-up even before. I’m happy for him. Things never happen by chance.”
Pogba’s Inter Miami Move Gains Momentum as Juventus Exit Nears
The Herons were the favorites to win the trophy after an outstanding regular season, setting an MLS record with 74 points from 34 games, just edging out New England Revolution’s 73 points in 2021.
Since Inter Miami’s inaugural MLS match in 2020, a 1-0 loss to LAFC, the club has made significant strides both on and off the field. The high-profile players they’ve attracted continue to grab attention, with another potential signing on the horizon.
The latest star linked to Miami is Paul Pogba. The current Juventus player may join Lionel Messi next year, with Football Italia reporting that his contract could be mutually terminated.
Pogba’s Inter Miami Links Strengthen Amid Juventus Exit
Although MLS sources indicate that a move for Pogba to Miami may be unlikely, the David Beckham-owned club has been strongly linked with the Frenchman over the past year.
In the summer of 2023, Italian journalist Luca Momblano reported that Miami made an offer to Pogba.
Since then, the 31-year-old has been caught up in a major doping scandal and has played very little football over the past 18 months.
The former Manchester United midfielder was originally given a four-year football ban after NADO Italia found banned testosterone in his system.
Following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), his ban has been reduced to 18 months, allowing him to resume training in January and return to competitive football in March, just in time for the start of the new MLS season.
The 31-year-old, a World Cup winner, has seen his links to Inter Miami strengthen, with him spotted at Chase Stadium in September during their match against Charlotte.
In 2021, Pogba shared a post with his large Instagram following, captioning it “too much sauce” while meeting Inter Miami owner Beckham.
Beckham’s connection with Pogba from their time at Manchester United could play a key role in finalizing the deal, even if it appears challenging on paper.
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