Andrea Pirlo is reportedly set to leave Juventus and Europe this summer to start a new adventure Stateside with New York City FC.
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According to The Guardian, the Italian international is on the verge of moving to New York as soon as the start of July, despite the fact that he has one year remaining on his contract with the Bianconeri.
It is reported by The Guardian that he could be set to negotiate an early exit with the Serie A champions, which in turn would see him join up with Frank Lampard and David Villa in the Big Apple next month.
Although there are some fears over New York’s strategy, given that all three of their Designated Players would be well into their 30s, there is no denying that they are bringing significant quality, experience and a winning mentality to the squad that will help a younger core of players improve.
However, when it comes to Pirlo in particular, the move makes perfect sense for the 36-year-old, as he enters the twilight years of his career, and he has certainly earned the right to choose where he ends his playing days.
Given that he has just finished a season in which he played a pivotal role in securing yet another domestic title for Juve, along with a run to the Champions League final, there is an argument to suggest that he is moving across the Atlantic too soon.
Liverpool and Chelsea were keen to recruit the World Cup winner, according to The Express, but the same newspaper claimed that he is expected to snub their advances and instead choose to start a new life in New York.
Admittedly, there are signs in his performances that he is not the same player as he has been for countless seasons, but the quality and footballing brain are still there for him to flourish in the US.
Ultimately, that natural decline is impossible to hold off forever.
While MLS is undoubtedly improving year-on-year with several other big-name veterans also helping the process, it represents a manageable environment for the former AC Milan maestro as he will have more time and space to make his quality count.
British football fans have often fantasised about the possibility of Pirlo in the Premier League, but, ultimately, the English game may not have ever suited Pirlo. It is highly possible that he would struggled in such a high-tempo and physical style of football.
His form on the international stage and in the Champions League would suggest otherwise, given that he has taken on physicality on numerous occasions and prevailed, but having to combat it week in and week out would have taken its toll on him and he may well have already called time on his career had he left for England many years ago.
Instead, he could represent a major coup for MLS and New York, and he will likely become a welcome addition to aid the continuation of the league improving in years to come.
