Juventus: Why Signing Neto Would Be a Huge Mistake
As director general Giuseppe Marotta built Juventus back into the titan of Italian soccer, he leaned heavily on the Bosman transfer. These free-agent signings have seen vital players such as Andrea Pirlo, Fernando Llorente and Paul Pogba, as well as a promising future piece in Kingsley Coman, arrive in Turin.
That trend has continued this summer with the signing of former Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira. Marotta has usually only managed one of these signings every year, but for the past few months, the team has been linked to another high-profile Bosman.
That link is with Norberto Neto. The Brazilian goalkeeper has been with Fiorentina for the last four years and has gone from a young, unreliable set of hands to one of the better goalkeepers in Serie A. He's in Brazil's squad for the Copa America, and by the time the next World Cup rolls around in 2018, he could be a serious contender for the starting spot between the sticks for Selecao.
Back in winter, Neto informed Fiorentina that he would not be renewing his contract in Florence, reported by the club (h/t Viola Nation). The Viola responded by benching the Brazilian for understudy Ciprian Tatarusanu. The Romanian ended up getting injured, forcing Neto back into the lineup. He held his starting position for the remainder of the season, helping Fiorentina to a third consecutive top-four finish.
Almost a month after he informed the Viola that he was leaving, Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio began to report (h/t Football Italia) that the Brazilian was going to sign for Juve.
These reports have never been substantiated. In an interview with Gazzetta TV in April (h/t ESPN FC), the goalkeeper's agent denied that any agreement had been reached with Juve and said teams in England, Spain and Germany, as well as Italy, were interested in the 'keeper.
Fans should hope that that's the case. Signing Neto could end up causing unnecessary controversy at the goalkeeper position and maybe stunt the growth of one of the team's most promising prospects.
Juventus already has a goalkeeper in Gianluigi Buffon. The 37-year-old is a legend of the game, and unlike his Spanish contemporary, Iker Casillas, he has shown no signs that Father Time has come knocking.
No new signing is going to depose Buffon. He has two years left on his contract and told L'Equipe in April (h/t Football Italia) that he has his eyes on playing until age 40 and even taking part in the World Cup three years from now. Given his current form—and the history of long-serving Italian goalkeepers such as Dino Zoff—it's not out of the realms of possibility.
Signing Neto would be completely redundant for Juve. Unless something catastrophic occurs, Buffon is going to be the Bianconeri No. 1 until at least the end of his next contract. The Brazilian will almost certainly command a starter's wage, and if her were to join Juve, he'd be getting that money while barely playing.
Beyond the immediate implications on the first team, signing such a high-profile goalkeeper could have an adverse effect on the development of young 'keeper Nicola Leali.
The 22-year-old Brescia product has been on Juve's books since 2012. He is one of a glut of talented young Italian goalkeepers that also includes Francesco Bardi, Simone Scuffet and Mattia Perin. Since his purchase, he has long been touted as the man who will eventually succeed Buffon.
His first two years as a Juve man, he was sent on loan to Serie B teams. He graduated to Serie A in the season just gone with a loan to Cesena. Bleacher Report evaluated his development in early December, and his performance since then has been a marked improvement.
According to Squawka, his punch-success rate from the beginning of the season to the end of November was 27 percent. From the December 7—two days after the publication of the aforementioned column—that number skyrocketed to 41 percent. His goals-against average dropped from 2.06 to 1.82.
Leali is definitely improving. To sign someone such as Neto could send him a message that the team is giving up on him.
The youngster is improving and deserves the chance to prove himself as Buffon's heir. In the long run, it would be foolish to pay a premium for something they may already have.
To sign Neto would be an absolute waste of money. He would only ever end up stuck behind Gigi Buffon. Frankly, it makes no sense for the player to make the decision to join, either—there are plenty of high-profile teams such as Roma, Napoli and Liverpool who may be looking for a starter in goal this summer.
Besides the logjam his signing would create, it would send the wrong message to the young player Juve have been grooming to take the gloves when the captain is finally done. In all ways, a move for Neto is simply a bad idea. However the rumors started, it would be better if the team ignored them and stood pat between the sticks this summer.
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