Poulsen pens Juve deal - report

Juventus will reportedly announce the arrival of £6m signing Christian Poulsen over the weekend.

According to several newspaper sources in both Italy and Spain, negotiations with Sevilla were concluded late last night.

The 28-year-old Dane is expected to put pen to paper over the next few hours on a four-year contract worth £2.5m per season.

Poulsen is notorious in Italy for the coming together with Francesco Totti during a 0-0 draw in Euro 2004.

Totti claimed he had been repeatedly provoked when he was caught on camera spitting at the midfielder.

The Danish international’s arrival bolsters the collection of pugnacious defensive midfielders at Juventus, joining the likes of Cristiano Zanetti and Momo Sissoko.

A creative figure is still required, so talks for Xabi Alonso could well be revived despite his £15m price-tag.

The Liverpool star had seemed on the verge of a switch for most of the summer, but veering towards Poulsen scuppered those negotiations.

It is now reported that the Bianconeri are happy to splash out on both Poulsen and Xabi Alonso for their Champions League campaign.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul12d.html

Whoopie doo, another defensive midfielder. I don't like this guy either, he is a total prick. I appreciate his football ability but he isn't what we want or need, and it further squeezes Marchisio out.



No shit.

Sissoko
Zanetti
Poulsen
Xabi Alonso
Marchisio
Ekdal

It doesn't exactly fit into two spaces does it?

Heard it's official If so welcome Poulsen, and don't piss us off.

Secco is on a tightrope with the fans, he has to pull off Xabi Alonso.

Juan, what can we expect from Poulsen in a 4-4-2 system, alongside a Sissoko or Zanetti? I think he is most similar to Zanetti, but superior athletically.

Remember this?



LOL. Juve-Milan matches will be fun.

Indeed

Prick of a player. Not fit to wear the Juve shirt.

Tell Thicco that.

There's a more pressing discussion I need to have with Galliani. Pair of incompetent pricks.

This better not be true, if so what a pointless singing. What Juventus need is a star midfielder, not another average player. Momo is miles better then him. Not only that he will provide no creativity at all. The fans will not like him one bit. What a prick of a player. I cant see my self warming up to him.

3 years ago this player could never dream of wearing the Juventus Jersey. And what pisses me off is they say this will still try and sing Alonso. We all know this is bull shit. If they wanted Alonso they would of put up the money and got him.

The only thing Secco can do to win back the fans is sing Grosso. He is a player that is needed. And without a world class defensive winger, we will not have a shot at the title.

Jay what formation can we expect from Juve. I really dont know were Poulsen fits in. will Momo and Poulsen play in the mid together with 2 strikers in a 4-4-2 or will it be a 4-1-3-2 with Poulsen playing in between the defense and the mids?

Yeah, interesting. On paper it looks extremely hard to accomodate the current players. If Amauri and Trezeguet are both going to play, then Del Piero will have to move to a strange position, Amauri might too. It also looks as though if Alonso comes in with two defensive midfielders, Camoranesi won't get in the first team. Then there is Nedved, Giovinco.

------Trezeguet-Amauri
Alex--------------------Camoranesi
--------Sissoko---Poulsen

or

------------Trezeguet
Alex---------Alonso--------Amauri
--------Sissoko---Poulsen

If Juventus really did sing Poulsen there is no way they will sing Alonso. Its easier with 4-4-2 with the strikers playing in a rotation.


................Striker..........Striker

Nedved/Gio.....Poulsen.....Momo.....Camo

or

.......................Striker...........Striker
.........Nedved/Gio......Momo........Camo

................................Poulsen
................................Defence

Is this guy worse as a person or Gravesen? I remember there was another bald defensive midfielder who played for Denmark, the commentators always said he was part of the Hell's Angels. That was a tough guy

I dont think this is such a bad signing, as long as it isnt the substitute signing for Xabi. That wouldnt make sense as you guys have pointed out with your confusion over the formation. He is hard enough to play defensively in our 4-4-2 formation and stand out in Italy. I think he will do quite well but we still need Xabi, this is without a doubt.

The formation will remain the same because Ranieri doesnt ever compromise his formation and at the moment it looks like this.

----------------------Alex/Amauri-------------Trezeguet------------------------
---Nedved/Giovinco-----------------------------------------------Cameronesi----
----------------------Sissoko------------------Poulsen--------------------------
-----De Ceglie/Molinaro---------------------------------------Zebina/Sala--------
-------------------------Chiellini--------Mellberg/Legrotaglie---------------------
--------------------------------Buffon------------------------------------------

With De Ceglie and Molinaro still young and immature in a position where it is vital to have players who understand their two responsibilities and can balance their position according to anticipation of the game, whihc they havnt developed yet. Zebina and Sala are both far too attacking and dont have that balance themselves, despite being older players. Nedved and Camoronesi are the only reliable links to attack and it wont do, because they are runners not passers, it means a slow build up. Xabi or another long and short passer of the ball needs to join, we need a quick link.

Secco will need to sign Xabi or if by half way through the season we arent in the top three fighting for second and first he will be the first transfer out.

Bianconeri, I think Grygera should get the start as right back over Zebina. He is much better then him in my opinion and he can attack very well. If Chiellini and Mellberg can form a good partnership in the middle with Grygera showing some of the skill he did near the end of last season, our defense should be OK. The only weak point lies in the left back position were neither De Ceglie or Molinaro are good enough for the CL. Juventus needs Grosso.

As for Xibi, I think that is over. I just dont see were he will fit in. We now have to many center mids. But we still dont have that creative one that we all really wanted (Xibi - VDV - Diago- Aquilani), Momo turned out to be a wonderful singing last season when a lot of people did not think he would do much, so I hope Poulsen can do the same.

I think the transfers are done. There has been no talk about adding another defender. So now its just a waiting game.

How have i forgotten Grygera today??? Every post i have made i have forgotten about him.

Anyway i dont rate him either, he slipped up poisitionally far too much, we were beaten down the wings constantly last season. We do need some strengthening in those positions for sure. But ill settle for a quality established midfielder with an excellent passing game - like Xabi. If we signed him our off season would be a success.

Having said that im very very interested to see Marchisio get a shot at some point through out this season, i liked him a lot at Empoli last season.

Do any of you think there is a slight chance of nedved moving centrally to compensate for his aging tired legs??? Leaving Giovinco on the left and Momo and Poulsen behind him in a 4-2-3-1? Amauri could play as the lone striker, also Trezeguet could play that role.

---------------------------------------Amauri-----------------------------------
------Giovinco-------------------------------------------------Cameronesi-------
--------------------------------------Nedved------------------------------------
-------------------------Sissoko-----------------Poulsen------------------------
-----De Ceglie-----------Chiellini-----------------Mellberg----------Grygera-------
--------------------------------------Buffon------------------------------------

I think that is definately worth a shot during pre season. It could be tried with Trez up top and Del Piero in place of Camoronesi with Salahamidzic/Zebina at Right Back to offer an occasional wide option as Del Piero moves centrall as well as Nedveds assumed roming from rside to side.

That could work for sure...

Doubt it though. It'll be the formation i put forward earlier except usually with Grygera ta Right Back like AR rightly said.

Ricky, you mean Stig Tofting. As it stands Poulsen would contest directly with Momo, he could play alongside him but mostly I expect one of them with a Zanetti or Alonso. One into three or four in attack does not fit, do not expect a trident very often, it will be 4-4-2 mostly with rotation. Nedved will contest with Seba, and Camo on the other side with Brazzo or even MM. Grygera is also decent at left back, certainly no worse than Molinaro.

Poulsen fights Juve fans

The Juventus fans are up in arms over the arrival of Christian Poulsen, but the contentious midfielder is confident he’ll prove them wrong.

The Dane is ready to complete his £6m transfer from Sevilla over the next 24 hours and the news has not gone down well with supporters.

Some unveiled a banner at the pre-season training camp in Pinzolo that read: ‘You’re ridiculous! Poulsen is another flop.’

“I can’t wait to get started, even if I know it won’t be easy for me in the first few games, especially in Rome and Milan after some past incidents.”

Poulsen is notorious among Italian football fans for his unorthodox style, which included run-ins with Francesco Totti in Euro 2004 and Kaka in the Champions League.

“I know full well my reputation as a provocateur, but I am not worried. If a team buys me, they get someone who never gives in and always pushes 100 per cent to win,” he continued.

“I am a proud man with a hard head, so I know I’ll have to play well to win over the fans. Then, as always, what really counts is what I’ll achieve on the pitch.

“I am truly happy to be able to play for Juventus, as they are a great club who’ll give me the opportunity to play in the Champions League. They are also among the most popular sides in Denmark, ever since the days of Michael Laudrup.”

Poulsen is notorious for his consistent fouling and sneaky gamesmanship when marking talented opponents, but Sevilla goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis is willing to vouch for him.

“It isn’t right that people almost always talk about the incidents around him rather than his quality,” said the Italian international.

“He runs hard, battles away and is very useful. He’s one of those players who causes problems when you find him as an opponent and that is why he is often considered irritating.”

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul13g.html

----------------

He is already speaking as a Juve player, this deal is done.

Juventus have officially confirmed the signature of Sevilla midfielder Christian Poulsen.

The Old Lady have been searching for midfield reinforcements after the failure of Sergio Almiron and Tiago Mendes last season.

And after flirting with Liverpool star Xabi Alonso, the Biancocelesti have opted for Danish international Christian Poulsen.

Juve will pay £7.8m, but they will be allowed to do so in three instalments.

Initially Sevilla will receive £3.8m with £2m to follow in July 2009 and July 2010.

Poulsen has signed a five-year deal in Turin and will be officially presented tomorrow.

The fans could give the former Schalke man a cool reception after widespread disappointment that a deal for Alonso wasn’t completed.

New Juventus signing Christian Poulsen insists he wants to “surprise the Italian public” who have such a poor perception of him.

The Dane is mainly famous in the peninsula for his run-ins with Francesco Totti and Kaka, where he earned himself a reputation for provocation.

“I hope to surprise the Italian public, who consider me a rough player, by proving that I have good technique,” said the former Sevilla midfielder.

“I will have time to prove myself and give people a better opinion of Poulsen. Sevilla was an excellent experience, but now I am proud to be at Juve.”

The Juventus fans were furious at the decision to spend £7.8m on the player and have launched protests against his signature.

“I am very happy to become part of such a prestigious club. Juventus are one of the most important sides in the world and I hope to do well here,” he told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I am a defensive midfielder, but I am also able to play in a more advanced position.”

Poulsen underwent his medical this morning at the Fornaca clinic in Turin before putting pen to paper on a five-year contract.

He will be officially presented to the Press on Thursday afternoon.

-----------------------

We'll see Christian, good luck.

Ranieri is quoted as saying they're only looking for a goalkeeper now and his team is all set. Looks like the Alonso deal is dead in the water unless this is just a negotiating tactic?

Could be, although we have too many central midfielders on our books now, I think it'll end up like this and Ranieri will go for 'difficult to beat'.

Sissoko
Zanetti
Poulsen
Tiago >
Marchisio
Almiron >
Ekdal

I just noticed the price. 10 million euros for him, isn't that a bit steep?

I would've preferred some younger athletic defensive midfielder from the French league like Mavuba or someone like that.

Mavuba went to Valencia and flopped, at least Poulsen guarentees experience.

No one has any thoughts on this proposal. Aside from the obvious fact that Ranieri will never try it.

Trezeguet and Amauri flopped today against Piacenza. I know it takes a while to strike a partnership but with Nedved assisting goals for Amauri from central positions 4 times against the Serie C2 opposition and Trez and amauri flopping dont you think this should be tried out. Especially considering that we have no central links to attack and this is a way in which we can remain solid in the centre and "hard to beat". If i was Ranieri i would seriously consider this.

I'm not going to make a judgement on a formation or partnership based on one friendly match, I just think Ranieri will mostly go 4-4-2 with an option for the formation you used or another 4-3-3 against some of the lesser sides or if we need to score badly.

No one is judging anything here

All im saying is we should try it in another friendly. ISnt this what friendlies are for?

These ones are just for fitness, the later ones are more for formations

someone was needed to replace Vieira

Presentation yesterday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcFPgn64p90



He speaks in English so no language problems for non-Italian speakers.

Poulsen plays Xabi-esque ball to set up Iaquinta in the match V Dortmund.

We actually played very well against dortmund and they started preseason well ahead of us. We are looking very fresh and its encouraging to see. Iaquinta has been our most impressive striker thus far in pre season if you ask me and actually has a natural compatibility with Amauri in a positional sense. Iaquinta is such a great option to have, he has the ability to play deep as well as the strength to play as a target man, especially good when the ball is in the air. We have so many options up front. I just wish we had better options in our full back positions. Zebina and Grygera arent good enough and im not sure if De Ceglie will be able to improve on Molinaros performances.

I cant wait for our competition with Arsenal, Hamburg and Real this weekend. Should be a blinder!!

I'm especially interested to see how Poulsen plays because he was very impressive V Dortmund and if he continues with long balls like the one Iaquinta so classily put away then i'd predict a great season for him and a great response to him after all from the rest of the supporters. I understand its only preseason but he did play quite well IMO. Iaquinta is pushing for a starting place early on in the season. Im watching that space.

Edited your post Luca, you need to just add the code for the youtube vids.

Anybody who thinks Poulsen is just a destroyer is very mistaken, I don't like the guy but as a player he has a good all-round game.

During pre season so far our play has improved the moment he has been subbed on. He destroys like Sissoko but passes much better than him and often looks for a long creative ball and is generally fairly accurate from what ive seen of him in a juve shirt so far.