Monday 18 May 2015

Who is Juventus' Player of the Season?

With the Serie A title in the bag and two finals ahead, Goal takes a look at the Bianconeri's best performers in a thrilling campaign

However Juventus' season ends, there is no doubting the fact that 2014-15 has been a huge success for the Bianconeri. Massimiliano Allegri's first season in charge has seen the Turin outfit collect a fourth straight Scudetto and qualify for the finals of both the Coppa Italia and the Champions League.

If there has been one outstanding quality in the Old Lady's line-up this season it has been the way that every player has contributed superbly to their success across the three competitions. Whatever the challenge, whoever the adversary and whatever the tournament, the Old Lady's attitude and workrate have been magnificent.

Who was Juventus' star performer in their spectacular campaign, though? Goal looks at the three candidates to scoop up the Player of the Season award...
LEONARDO BONUCCI
Antonio Conte's decision to employ a 3-5-2 formation was widely accepted as a move to suit Leonardo Bonucci. While the former Bari defender struggled to play as a natural man-to-man marker, he proved to be one of the best sweepers in the modern game. As the spare man in the back three, Bonucci was commanding to say the least.

When Massimiliano Allegri switched his side back to a flat back four in the autumn, it was understandable that many worried about Bonucci's form. Yet the 28-year-old has responded superbly, with many excellent performances alongside Giorgio Chiellini both at home and on the continent. Andrea Barzagli's absence for much of the campaign has barely been noticed.

While there have been moments of worry, they have been far more fleeting than feared. Juventus have benefitted massively from the change of formation, and that would not have been possible without Bonucci showing such marvellous flexibility.

PAUL POGBA
There is no wonder the world can't stop linking Paul Pogba with a massive transfer this summer given the way he continues to thrill for Juventus. The 22-year-old had already gained a big reputation since his move from Manchester United in 2011, but in 2014-15 he took it up to a whole new level.

He soon stepped up from a cast-off at Old Trafford to a lively extra option at Juventus Stadium, and now he is quite possibly the Bianconeri's stand-out star. His countless domineering midfield displays, married to a host of crucial goals from midfield, have seen his importance to the Bianconeri soar beyond perhaps even Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal.

Many of his strikes this season came at key times, including the winner against Olympiakos amidst a largely unconvincing Juve display. His arrow of a finish against Napoli in January also started a run of four goals in four games which would have a huge say in the Bianconeri pulling away from Roma in the title race.
CARLOS TEVEZ

Nobody since David Trezeguet has had the kind of touch in front of goal that Carlos Tevez has shown for Juventus in 2014-15. The Argentine is peaking at the age of 31, and the Bianconeri board are abundantly clear how irreplacable he is to the Old Lady.

But it is not only his goals which have had a massive effect during the past nine months. His ability to play his own way into games which could otherwise have passed him by has allowed Juve to find an out-ball so often in difficult circumstances.

Such qualities have helped to build his confidence in the final third, and goals of all descriptions have followed as a result. Not only has he scored 20 league goals, but he has also obliterated any memories of his Champions League drought of years gone by on his way to seven strikes on the continent.

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