Capello: Don’t waste Cassano
Fabio Capello has fuelled talk that Antonio Cassano could move to Juventus by insisting the talent can’t be wasted on the Roma bench.
The starlet is facing the prospect of watching most of this season from the sidelines, as ‘punishment’ for not extending his contract in the capital.
And after not being used in the Giallorossi’s 3-0 win at Reggina on Sunday, the Italian international is again being associated with a move to Turin before the transfer deadline.
"It’s sad to see him unhappy on the bench," the Bianconeri boss stated when asked about his former Roma pupil. "It seems to me that he is going through a very delicate time.
"But the most disappointing thing is that Italy can’t afford to be without him.
"This is World Cup year and you can’t go to Germany without someone like him. The boy is a real player, an extraordinary one."
Cassano’s contract expires in 2006, meaning that he could leave the Stadio Olimpico for nothing next June.
But Juve transfer guru Luciano Moggi insists that the enigma won’t be arriving at his club over the next few days.
"Could we swap Adrian Mutu for Cassano? No, Mutu is and will remain a Juventus player," stated Moggi.
"I would advise Cassano to extend his contract, perhaps by inserting a reasonable buy-out clause.
"If that happens then Roma will resolve the problem and re-find a player ready to have a stunning season."
However, whispers in Italy continue to suggest that the former Bari player could be wearing a black and white shirt – especially as Capello seems unconvinced by Alex Del Piero.
The Juve captain didn’t feature in the 1-0 win over Chievo, with Capello opting to use Marcelo Zalayeta as a substitute instead.
"I needed a player with a few more centimetres for the aerial balls, both in attack and defence," the Coach added.
"The game was still in doubt. Had that not been the case then I could have put on Del Piero."