Calcio Debate: Who Should Juventus Buy To Replace Pavel Nedved?

When Pavel Nedved joined the Old Lady from Serie A rivals Lazio in the summer of 2001, many Juventini questioned whether it was a wise move shelling out €41 million on a 29-year-old. More importantly, was a player best known for his non-stop running and fierce battling qualities really the ideal replacement for the silky smooth, creative genius Zinedine Zidane, who had just left for Real Madrid in a record breaking transfer.

As it happened, Nedved was worth every penny, more than living up to the standards set by Zidane, leading Juve to four Scudetti (two revoked), and single-handedly dragging the team to the 2003 Champions League final against Milan, a trophy most experts believe the Bianconeri would have won had the ‘Czech Fury’ not been cruelly suspended. These exploits ensured that he was awarded the prestigious Ballon d’Or at the end of that year.

However, the time comes when all great players have to be replaced, and it is highly likely that Juventus will have to find themselves a new left midfielder this summer. Nedved’s contract is due to expire in June and, unless he reverses his decision, as he did last summer, the 36-year-old will finally hang up his boots for good.

So who should Juventus buy to replace the long-shot specialist? Below are a list of players who the Turin-club have been linked with over recent weeks…

Arjen Robben (Real Madrid) – Possibly the most skilful player in world football after Lionel Messi, but it is unlikely that Juventus could afford his transfer fee and wages, even if Madrid were willing to sell.

Franck Ribery (Bayen Munich) – Would be a major hit in Turin and Serie A but, once again, it would require a small fortune to prise him away from Bavaria. Perhaps the most ideal player to replace Nedved. Has the skill, creativity, vision, pace and, most importantly, the temperament to star in Italy.

Ryan Babel (Liverpool) – Bags of potential, but he has flattered to deceive since joining Liverpool from Ajax in 2007. Painfully inconsistent, and perhaps does not offer enough guarantees to be considered as Nedved’s heir.

Luka Modric (Spurs) – Definitely would be more suited to Serie A than the Premier League, and may be a gamble worth taking. However, he would cost at least €20 million, unless of course Spurs get relegated, which is not impossible.

Stefano Mauri (Lazio) – Certainly could be available at the end of the season, but he is not good enough to replace Nedved. Barely even a regular for Lazio, and he has been in poor form for the last 18 months.

David Silva (Valencia) – The 23-year-old oozes class, and no matter now many times you watch him, you still can’t work out his style of play. A bid of around €25 million may be enough to take him to Turin, but there is a long history of Spanish players flopping in Italy.

Savio Nsereko (Brescia) – Shades of a young Robinho in this 19-year-old, who is tearing up defences in Serie B. The Uganda-born German youngster is surely a future star, but is he still a little too young to carry the mantle on Juve’s left wing?

Douglas Costa (Gremio) – Considered a phenomenon in Brazil, and the “new Ronaldinho”, Costa is an expert dribbler and a free-kick specialist. The 18-year-old has a €25 million buy-out clause attached in his Gremio contract.

Diego Capel (Sevilla) – Like David Silva, Capel is an extraordinary young talent, although he is more of an old-fashioned left-winger, which is perhaps not so suited to Serie A. The right offer would certainly see Sevilla sell him though, and he is rumoured to have a low buyout clause.

Ivan Rakitic (Schalke) - "I'll be Juve's new Zidane,” said Rakitic when told of Juventus’ supposed interest in him. If the Croatian star can guarantee the same impact the Frenchman had, then Juve should not think twice about snapping him up.

Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich) – A very similar type of player to Nedved, so Juventus would expect the same energy and non-stop running. However, Schweini recently signed a new deal at Bayern, so a summer transfer looks unlikely.

And two of their own...

Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus) – Regarded as the heir to Alessandro Del Piero, Giovinco can also double up as a left midfielder. Should Juve place their trust in the ‘Atomic Ant’, rather than splash out on a new player?

Paolo De Ceglie (Juventus) – And what about the ‘new Antonio Cabrini’? De Ceglie recently terrorised Milan’s Gianluca Zambrotta when he occupied this position – should he be handed Nedved’s keys?

What are your views on this topic? Who should Juventus sign to replace Pavel Nedved? Should they sign anyone at all? Would Giovinco or De Ceglie be better suited? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…

Carlo Garganese