Giorgio Chiellini claims Miralem Pjanic ‘raised the quality’ for Juventus, whilst Gonzalo Higuain ‘ups the intensity’.
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The Bianconeri snatched the two most valuable players from their direct competitors for the Scudetto, generating a great deal of resentment amid fans of Roma and Napoli.
“We raised the quality with Pjanic,” Chiellini told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “He can give us a lot in open play and on dead balls, he scores and he produces assists.
“We raised our level in the attack with Higuain and the same thing happened in the other departments. We signed some great players and the only departure was [Paul] Pogba. We already knew that [Alvaro] Morata and [Juan] Cuadrado were unlikely to stay.
“We mustn’t take anything for granted, of course, but we must also avoid being alarmist or needlessly nervous.
“There is so much quality here that when everyone is together, it’s a real pleasure to work. In fact we reach higher levels of intensity in training than in the matches, because we’re defending against Gonzalo and the others, rather than against teams that close up shop at the back.
“We need to be relaxed when playing the ball, but also more determined.”
The central defender was also asked whether Inter were the rivals for the Scudetto this year.
“Inter have a squad of incredible quality in every department. Napoli lost Higuain, but they have a solid group and a Coach with a precise gaming philosophy. Roma turned things around ever since [Luciano] Spalletti joined them. I see no gap betwee ourselves and the others, although much depends on us.
“Inter will certainly aim for the Champions League and the Scudetto. Last year’s results count for nothing, their squad has no reasons to be jealous of ours.”
