Juventus Move for Japan Goalkeeper Ayase Suzuki Sparks Criticism
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Japan goalkeeper Ayase Suzuki has agreed a new five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the French champions.
However, media reports suggest that Suzuki could immediately go out on loan to Juventus, the famous Italian club. A loan move means a player joins another team for a set time while still belonging to his main club.
The reports have caused a strong reaction in Italy. A former Juventus player, now known as an OB (a term for a former club member), strongly criticised the idea.
He called the plan "a joke" and said it "makes absolutely no sense." He argued that it would be better for Juventus to bring back Gianluigi Buffon, the legendary goalkeeper who used to play for the club, instead of signing Suzuki.
Buffon is one of the most respected goalkeepers in football history and spent many years playing for Juventus before retiring.
Other reports mentioned a possible return for Suzuki to Parma, the Italian club he played for before joining PSG. But one source said there is "no place" for him at Parma now.
It remains unclear which club Suzuki will join on loan, or whether he will stay with PSG for now.
The strong comments from the former Juventus player show that not everyone in Italian football supports the idea of signing the young Japanese goalkeeper.
Vocabulary7 words
- goalkeeper
- the player who stops the ball from entering the goal
- contract
- an official agreement to work for a team
- loan
- a short move to another team while staying with your main club
- former
- someone who used to have a role in the past
- OB
- a former member of a club or organisation
- Buffon
- a very famous former Italian goalkeeper
- Parma
- an Italian football club Suzuki played for before
Quiz
Answer key
1. A five-year contract 2. Bringing back Gianluigi Buffon 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Japan _____ Ayase Suzuki has agreed a new five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
Media reports suggest that Suzuki could immediately go out on _____ to Juventus.
A former Juventus player, now known as an _____, strongly criticised the idea.
He called the plan "a joke" and said it "makes absolutely no _____."
He argued it would be better to bring back Gianluigi _____ instead of signing Suzuki.
Buffon is one of the most respected goalkeepers in football _____.
Other reports mentioned a possible return for Suzuki to _____.
One source said there is "no place" for him at Parma _____.