GIORGIO CHIELLINI has criticised the timing of Cristiano Ronaldo’s high profile Juventus exit.
And the veteran Juve captain, 37, blames the Portugal skipper’s late Manchester United move for his side’s poor start to the season.
Ronaldo, 36, finished last term as Serie A’s top scorer with 29 goals before sealing a sensational August return to Old Trafford on a two-year deal.
And the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s exit has left a void up top for Juve, who are currently seventh after losing two and drawing two of their first eight Serie A games.
In a DAZN interview, Chiellini said: “Ronaldo left on August 28, it would have been better for us if he had left earlier.
“It was not a difficult thing to digest, but it gives you a bit of a surprise and, in my opinion, we paid something in terms of points in the first matches.
“If he had left on August 1, we would have had time to prepare better and we would have come to the start of the championship a little more prepared”.
Ronaldo enjoyed trophy success with Juventus during his three-year spell at the club, including two Serie A titles in 2019 and 2020 and two Italian Super Cups.
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However, in April reports in Italy claimed the Portugal star had grown ‘nervous and irritable’ with the club’s lack of progress in the Champions League during his time there.
Earlier this week Chiellini’s club and country team-mate Leonardo Bonucci took a dig at the superstar forward.
The defender told reporters via Football Italia that the Turin juggernauts needed to “rediscover that Juve spirit that was there before his (Ronaldo’s) arrival”.
And Chiellini admitted to not being surprised by the former Real Madrid star’s departure.
The Azzurri skipper added: “He had reached a point in the relationship where Cristiano needed new encouragement and a team that could play for him because when he finds a team like this it is decisive.
“It does not surprise me because it has shown throughout his career and also in the three years with us. “
While Chiellini believes Ronaldo staying would have been a boost for the Turin giants, he reckons a move to a side that is not in transition would be beneficial for the star.
The centre-back said: “A rejuvenation and restart programme is underway here at Juventus.
“It is clear that if Ronaldo had stayed, it would have been an added value and we would have gladly exploited it, but it could also be that he decided to start with a team more focused on the present than on the future. “
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
