Pirlo: 'De Jong most like me'

By Football Italia staff

Andrea Pirlo tips Juventus for yet another Scudetto and names the player most likely to follow in his footsteps – Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.

The now retired midfielder spoke to Radio Bianconera about his time in Turin and the many players who have been compared to him ever since.

“When I came to Juve, I did it to open an era of victories. I was absolutely convinced that would happen, otherwise I would’ve gone elsewhere.

“The Bianconeri can continue the run of Scudetto wins, even if this might seem a more balanced campaign with Inter and Napoli having reinforced. Juventus need a period of adjustment for both the Coach and players, so we need to wait a while, but Juve remain the favourites.”

Many players have been called ‘the new Pirlo,’ so who does the man himself see as his heir apparent?

“The only one who is perhaps similar is De Jong. Miralem Pjanic has some similarities in his playing style, but we are different and each have our own approaches.”

Barcelona paid €75m this summer to purchase 22-year-old Dutchman De Jong from Ajax.

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