Blanc: Rabiot needs managing

By Football Italia staff

Former Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc says Juventus need to ‘manage’ Adrien Rabiot but is confident they have signed a ‘great player’.

Rabiot finally ended speculation about his future on Monday as he joined Juve, and Blanc explained to Gazzetta dello Sport the type of player the Bianconeri had snapped up.

“He’s a box-to-box midfielder,” he told the newspaper.

“Rabiot has physical strength, which lets him go forward. He can easily project himself towards the opposing box, he has a powerful left foot and a great header.

“They need to know how to manage him, so he gets the opportunity to express himself in the hottest areas of the pitch, where matches are decided and where he never loses lucidity. He can only improve at Juve.”

The pair won three Ligue 1 titles together at PSG, but there are concerns over the 24-year-old’s character.

“Of course, precisely because he has character. Having character isn’t a flaw. Indeed, he has the quality of great players.

“I remember his argument with Ibra, who respected him. He called him ‘petit Rabiot’ because he recognised [Rabiot] had the traits of the great player.

“Adrien has temperament, but it’s necessary at big clubs. Perhaps his development has come a little late at 24, but his situation at PSG must be analysed properly.”

Finally, the ex-Inter defender was asked whether Rabiot could possibly become one of the Old Lady’s great Frenchmen.

“Adrien isn’t a No 10 like Platini or a creative midfielder like Zidane. He plays deeper, even if he can express great quality in attack and defence.

“He remains a player with great potential.”

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