Guglielmo Vicario has become an instant hit at Juventus.
Roberto De Zerbi oversaw a massive squad overhaul at Tottenham Hotspur in the summer. Several experienced players, who have been a part of the club’s dismal back-to-back 17th-place finishes, were either sold or farmed out on loan.
Guglielmo Vicario’s future at the club was full of speculation by the end of last campaign. After a hernia operation, he lost his place to young Antonin Kinsky and failed to reclaim it once he fully recovered from his problem. Once Kinsky was officially promoted to the club’s new No.1, the writing appeared on the wall for the Italian international.
After months of speculation, Guglielmo Vicario finally sealed a loan move to Juventus. Despite those early doubts surrounding the 29-year-old, he has made a brilliant start to life in Turin. The experienced shot-stopper has kept the opposition at bay in three of his five Serie A appearances, while conceding only four goals.
Former Juventus goalkeeper insists he never doubted Guglielmo Vicario despite mixed time at Tottenham
After a mixed three-year spell with Spurs, there were valid questions from the Juventus fans and the Italian media over Vicario’s adaptability at such a big club. To the utmost joy of the Old Lady faithful, the Tottenham loanee has banished those early fears with impressive displays. Three clean sheets in opening five league outings is a testament to the goalkeeper’s quality.
Now, ex-Juventus goalkeeper Michelangelo Rampulla insists he never doubted Vicario’s qualities and feels the manner in which he was offloaded by Tottenham has given the Italian a “right desire for revenge”. He has described Juventus as an outstanding place for the shot-stopper to prove himself and showcase his qualities.
“I was calm; Vicario was probably the first name on the list of those discussed last summer,” Rampulla told Tutto Juve.
“I think he arrived with the right desire for revenge, and Juve is an extraordinary stage where he can showcase himself. He’s doing his job, which is to be a reliable goalkeeper.”
Rampulla, who spent 10 years with the Bianconeri, further admitted that he expected Vicario to make a strong impression at the club, pointing to his status as one of Italy’s three international goalkeepers.
“He’s doing his job, which is to be a reliable goalkeeper,” he added.
“Yes, he’s one of the three goalkeepers in the national team.
“I expected it, but I certainly didn’t need further confirmation from an experienced goalkeeper like him.”
Juventus plan to sign Vicario permanently
Vicario has seamlessly settled at Juve, displaying his quality and experience to provide some much-needed stability to their backline. After the underwhelming displays of Michele di Gregorio and Mattia Perin last term, Vicario appears to be an assured presence in goal.
Recent reports suggest that the Bianconeri are planning to trigger the €8 million buy option in the Italian’s deal. This should serve as extremely positive news for De Zerbi and Tottenham, who do not consider Vicario part of their plans and want to move him off the books completely.
