Should Juventus Be Worried About Andrea Pirlo's Future Comments?

Andrea Pirlo's future is far from certain, with the 34-year-old's contract winding down in its third and final year since he arrived at Juventus on a free transfer from Milan two years ago.

It is unclear who is playing hardball when it comes to negotiations about an extension. But what is clear is that Pirlo has been superb since he pulled on the black and white shirt.

The reluctance on Juve's part must be a combination of things.

Firstly, the emergence of Paul Pogba as a star has not only complicated Pirlo's medium-term future, but the immediate first-team future of Claudio Marchisio, as the Frenchman simply must start now.

In addition to this, Pirlo's age might be a concern. He is unable to play two games per week at a high level physically, let alone the small signs that his range of passing is becoming less consistent than it used to be.

On the player's part, a reluctance to sign an extension will primarily be motivated by whether he is central to Antonio Conte's plans and if his place in the team can be assured.

At his age, Pirlo will not want to be sitting on the bench, which is understandable; the Azzurri international has nothing left to prove.

Potentially the length of the contract could be a sticking point from the player and club's point of view, with this surely being the player's final contract of his illustrious career.

Predicting what sort of performance Pirlo can produce in a year or more is difficult.

Pirlo finally broke his silence on the matter this month to the Mirror, saying, "I don't know if I will be at Juventus or another team (next season)."

The player also revealed his motivations to continue his career, stating the obvious, "I'm good."

Pirlo must surely be tempted for one last journey in his career, with the motivation to stay at the Turin-based club probably pinned to Juve's potential to claim the Champions League. With two scudetti in two years in his spell at the club and a third looking probable, he will surely have little hunger for domestic success.

If Pirlo decides that the Bianconeri are not worthy of mixing it at the very top of European football, then a final hurrah in a league abroad could be to his taste.

There is no great demand from fans for the player to prove himself abroad, but the player's intrigue and desire to experience a foreign style of football could be the deciding factor.

The Old Lady have a small window to reap the benefits of Pirlo's great talent. They should jump at the chance to extend his current deal and therefore avoid making the blunder that the Rossoneri did, allowing the Italian legend to fall into their hands.

Pirlo must be realistic enough to know that he cannot start every game. But if Conte can guarantee him that he will be a vital piece for the big games and that he is integral to their ambitions, then there is surely only one outcome to these protracted negotiations.

It is a long season and the two parties will undoubtedly be fighting to gain initiative in the bargaining, but eventually I have no doubt that Juventus is the best place for one of the best players of a generation to end a glittering career.