The death knell for co-ownership of players in Italy had a number of knock-on effects, but one of the more ingenious was the furthering of the relationship between Juventus and Sassuolo.
On the face of it, the two clubs have little in common. The Bianconeri are one of the biggest draws in Europe with countless trophies and titles to their name. The Neroverdi are relative ‘bambini’ in Serie A, playing just their third season at the top level in a stadium built for Reggiana.
The Mapei Stadium will host a European Cup Final before Juventus’ home ground does, however, as the 2016 Women’s Champions League final is due to take place there.
Co-ownership was a model that benefited both sides at different times, and Juventus were canny operators within its framework and perhaps saw the most benefit.
In theory, a player who was part owned by a very big club and a slightly lesser one would hone their skills at the lesser club in the hope of eventually moving upwards to the bigger player in the deal. Should they do so, the lesser club would be recompensed heavily. Should they not, they would get a player they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford at half the price.
Consigning that to history has meant that the top sides have had to think outside the box as they look to develop younger players without, necessarily blooding them in their own first team in games where they cannot risk defeat.
Furthermore, when there are players who do not make the grade, it is not always possible to move them on. In having a dropping off point lower in the league, that prospect is lessened.
The genesis of the accord between Sassuolo and Juventus is unclear, but it is certain that the ownership of Domenico Berardi has been the key card played by both sides throughout.
While Berardi has remained on the Neroverdi’s books throughout, his contract has been a little more convoluted. The 50 per cent of his deal that Juventus owned for two years was sold back to them by way of favour at a similar time that Simone Zaza moved to the Bianconeri. The young winger remains a coveted prospect, and the champions are thought to retain first option on him at the end of this season.
For all the focus will inevitably be on the big ticket players that moved to Juventus, it is undoubtedly true that Sassuolo themselves have benefited from some of the players cast-off by the fast pace of the top table.
It all started with Richmond Boakye. After a season on loan with Sassuolo from Genoa, he was signed by Juventus, then loaned back to the Neroverdi. After missing out on promotion first time around, there was no stopping Eusebio Di Francesco’s side when they got their second chance, and the Ghanaian scored 11 goals en route.
He was followed the following year by Reto Ziegler and Luca Marrone, and the year after by Federico Peluso. None, except Boakye, it has to be said, set the world alight with Sassuolo but all did a job when called upon. For a squad who are operating on a tight budget, being able to borrow players from Juventus when there is a need to do so is a fine option to have available.
As with all things, there has to be a limit to the relationship – a point at which it no longer makes sense on both sides. While they are a long way from competing on a level playing field at the moment, it is not out of the question that Sassuolo could become a regular European side; playing second fiddle in such a relationship at that point would send a definite message that they were not yet peers of the Bianconeri.
Perhaps it will go the other way. Once they have ensured Berardi is up to standard and has served his apprenticeship, Juventus could pull up the drawbridge to any further dealings. They have relationships with other clubs that could be equally useful, such as Empoli, so when there are no fruit left on Sassuolo’s tree left hanging, they could happily shake the boughs elsewhere.
However it does come to an end, it is clear that these co-dependent relationships have benefit on both sides in a way that is not dissimiliar to the co-ownership process. As such, seeing as Juventus have led the way in establishing an accord, one can likely expect other clubs to follow – good ideas seldom go long without imitation.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com