Juve new-boys will have plenty of competition up-front next season.
Juventus coach Antonio Conte has warned both Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente that they must both earn their place in his starting line-up.
The duo paired up to start the Bianconeri’s first pre-season game on Wednesday, a 7-0 friendly win over a local amateur side.
Tevez grabbed a brace while Alessandro Matri and Mirko Vucinic also found the net twice, proving that Conte has a wealth of talent and options at his disposal next season.
Speculation suggests that the likes of Matri and Fabio Quagliarella will be sold this summer in order to make room in the starting line-up for the new signings, however Conte has dismissed that rumour and suggested that he has trust in those that have already helped him to win back-to-back Scudetti.
“We’ve got a healthy battle for places and I will pick whoever I believe is in the best form and worthy of his place,” Conte told reporters after the game as quoted by ESPN.
“These players have gifted us two Scudettos in two years so they are players I know I can rely on.”
However, Conte did rule out the idea of fielding numerous attackers on the field at the same time, stating that while it may have worked against an amateur side, there is no chance he will risk it in a Serie A game.
Sebastian Giovinco is yet to return after being given an extended break following his participation in the Confederations Cup, and it has been suggested that Conte could field a 3-3-4 formation next season.
“You can play it against an amateur team, but certainly not in Serie A.
“I don’t see why I should change the system which has helped us win two titles in a row,” he concluded.
Both Tevez and Llorente have spoken of the expectation and confidence that they have of making their time in Turin a success, but it is clear that Conte will not gift them a place in the starting eleven in the new campaign.
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