Wednesday, 15 October 2008

Xavi Alonso fancies an Italian job

In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this week, Liverpool midfielder, Xavi Alonso, admitted that his attraction to Italian club, Juventus, “still remains in tact”.

Juventus had been in talks with Liverpool over the signing of Alonso in the summer, as the English side sought to fund a move for Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry.

No price was agreed, however, and Juventus sealed a deal for Danish international, Christian Poulsen, from Sevilla FC, instead.

Surprising timing

It is not only the timing of Alonso’s comment that is surprising. Indeed, Liverpool have made a unusally consistent start to their Premier League campaign this season – they are currently unbeaten and sitting second to Chelsea in the table. Alonso has played a vital role in this, playing in all seven games for the club so far.

Alonso has also had to overcome any loss of pride on two fronts:

  • One, Christian Poulsen was chosen ahead of him,
  • and secondly, Juventus coach, Claudio Ranieri’s recent swipe that he did not sign the former Real Sociedad player because he was too slow.

Barcelona link

Today the Spanish media linked Barcelona with a move for Alonso in January. Alonso’s response – “…I have still not decided on a concrete date for my return to Primera Liga" – is far from reassuring to any concerned Liverpool fans.

If Liverpool are still sitting comfortably around the top of the Premier League come January, however, that return to the La Liga might be put off for one more season, at least.

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