Serie A

PISA, WHAT A STEAL: IT’S CUADRADO

The 37-year-old Colombian is joining Gilardino’s project: his hard work, leadership and experience could help the Tuscans in retaining their Serie A status

Juan Cuadrado is ready to write a new, surprising chapter in his long love story with Serie A. The Colombian winger is moving to newly-promoted Pisa, aiming to share all his charisma, experience and knowledge of a league that the city has not played in for over thirty years. Cuadrado is changing location and teammates, but not the league or the colours: for the third year in a row he will wear black and blue, just as he did in recent experiences with Inter and Atalanta. This is the seventh different team that Cuadrado has played for in Serie A, a prestigious achievement, despite not being record breaking: of the most “well-travelled” foreign players in Italy’s top league, Mario Santana tops the charts with eight different clubs.

AN EPIC CAREER IN SERIE A

Born in Necoclí, Colombia, in 1988, Cuadrado was scouted and brought to Italy by the Pozzo family, signing him from Independiente Medellín at 21 years old, and bringing him to the Udinese project. After two seasons learning in Friuli, he was sent on loan to Lecce, where in the 2011/12 season, under Serse Cosmi, he had a key role, alongside countryman Muriel, in the Giallorossi’s attempt to secure safety. Despite relegation, Cuadrado made his mark in Salento, the place where he also scored his first three goals in Italy. The following summer, he moved to Fiorentina, where he proved himself as one of the most devastating wingers in the league: but his second year with La Viola was when he truly excelled, scoring eleven goals in Serie A and four in the cups. After 106 games and 26 goals in Florence, in January 2015 he moved to London to join Mourinho’s Chelsea, but his English adventure never really took off, and after just six months, Cuadrado returned to Italy, this time to represent Juventus.

In Turin, Cuadrado really came into his own: he became a technical and symbolic pillar of a team dominating the national scene. In eight seasons with the Bianconeri, he made 314 appearances, scoring 26 goals and getting more than 60 assists, winning five Scudettos, 4 Coppa Italias, 2 Italian Supercups, and just failing to get over the final hurdle in the 2017 Champions League Final. From a winger to an attacking full-back, Cuadrado was progressively transforming, responding to Allegri, Sarri and Pirlo’s tactical demands, and becoming a leader in the dressing room and an ever-reliable option down the right side.

After his long stay at Juventus, Cuadrado had a brief spell at Inter, where, despite winning his sixth Scudetto, he wasn’t getting much game time. It went better at Atalanta, where he made 32 appearances in the season just gone, but without scoring ****(a streak that has gone on for over two seasons now). Cuadrado has made 116 appearances for Colombia (level with James Rodríguez) and has taken part in two World Cups.

WHAT CUADRADO WILL BRING TO PISA: TACTICS, PERSONALITY AND OPTIONS DOWN THE RIGHT

****With 395 games played, Cuadrado is the Colombian player with the most appearances in the history of Serie A, and his expansive range of experience ****will be a huge boost for a young side like Pisa, just making their return to Serie A. Gilardino usually resorts to a 3-5-2, the same formation that Cuadrado found himself in with Inter and Atalanta.

He slots in perfectly as a winger in a midfield five, but Cuadrado can also play down both sides, or as an attacking midfielder, thanks to his experienced vision and flexibility honed over 15 years of high-level football. While his electric dribbling and shooting may have slightly faded from his heyday, he has always known how to make up for it with his intelligent reading of the game, ability to control matches and concentration in the defensive phase. He doesn’t score as much as he once did (his last league goal dates back to three seasons ago) but he has always been a top assist provider, mostly thanks to his quality crossing and accurate final ball. Furthermore, simply his presence will have a mental impact: Cuadrado brings an elite professional standard, having matured in winning dressing rooms with Juventus, Inter and Atalanta. (Photo Website Pisa SC + Getty Images)