Losing Carlos Tevez This Summer Would Be Terrible Business for Juventus

As Juventus players and officials began their summer break, they would undoubtedly have done so in a supremely confident mood.

The Bianconeri enjoyed an incredible campaign, winning a league-and-cup double for only the third time in the 118-year history of the club as their dominance of Italian football showed no sign of ending. Reaching the final of the Champions League was another major accomplishment, one they should reflect upon with great pride, as discussed in this previous column.

Yet the continued success of La Madama could be irreparably damaged should Carlos Tevez opt to leave her behind in the coming weeks.

Much to the dismay of supporters, the striker has been linked with a move to either Atletico Madrid or Boca Juniors, according to Selene Scarsi of ESPN FC. Juventus quickly made their position on the matter clear, with director general Beppe Marotta telling reporters the club “would respect his decision, but we want an answer by the end of the week,” via Sport Media Set (h/t Football Italia).

Having already added Paulo Dybala, and with talk of a deal for Mario Mandzukic emerging from transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, it would initially appear that the Turin giants could comfortably cope with the loss of a 31-year-old with just 12 months left on his contract.

Yet that would overlook the massive contribution Tevez has made since arriving from Manchester City, a £10 million signing who has proven to be incredible value for money. In simple terms, he has netted 50 goals in 96 appearances for the club, making him comfortably the leading scorer over his two-year stay.

Often overlooked in any discussion of the continent’s finest players, he may lack the supreme greatness of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi but should be leading the group of names behind them. Tevez possesses incredible skill, vision and awareness and is capable of shredding even the best defences with a moment of sheer brilliance.

Unafraid of the spotlight, he performs when Juventus need him the most and was instrumental in their Champions League success this season. His belief that every game can be won no matter the circumstances makes his presence essential, and his attitude since arriving in Serie A has been nothing short of superb.

Joining Gigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo and Patrice Evra, Tevez is one of the team’s genuine leaders, setting a wonderful example for his team-mates both on and off the pitch. Mandzukic may share the same tireless work ethic that the Argentinian is famous for, but it remains to be seen if the likes of Alvaro Morata, Paul Pogba and Roberto Pereyra would follow him in the same manner.

That trio clearly hold Tevez in the highest regard, and Dybala could learn so much from a year of playing alongside him. Indeed, his passing on the effort, dedication and professionalism passed to his compatriot—and perhaps also to 20-year-old Italian star Domenico Berardi—would be invaluable.

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The goals would undoubtedly come from other members of the squad, but the intangible qualities of Tevez would be a loss that could prove difficult to overcome in a single summer. The Bianconeri thrived despite Antonio Conte’s hasty exit last summer yet might not be able to repeat that should Tevez follow the former coach through the exit door.

If anything, the subsequent appointment of Massimiliano Allegri improved the team, and his shift away from the 3-5-2 formation only served to make Juventus—and Tevez himself—an even more devastating force against opposing defences. Under his guidance, the player has greater freedom of movement, which was reflected in his play this year as he arguably became even more important to the team.

One final problem came to light on Monday, with the player’s agent Adrian Ruocco admitting to Tutto Mercato Web on Monday that they “don’t know if Boca Juniors are even capable of paying his wages,” (h/t Express Sport).

Whether that is true or not, there is no denying the fact that Juventus simply cannot afford to lose Carlos Tevez this summer.