Gleison Bremer has confirmed his commitment to Juventus, signing a contract extension until 2029: “Many wanted me, but I said no. I’m already at a top club.” The Brazilian international has been the subject of interest from Manchester United and Liverpool, but opted to pen a new deal with the Bianconeri yesterday. Speaking with La Gazzetta dello Sport, he explained the reasons for his decision, and previewed the season ahead under new coach Thiago Motta:
“I’m very happy,” says the Bianconeri defender. “Juventus is a great club that has helped me grow. Here, I discovered the Champions League, and I’m happy to continue with Juve, a very ambitious club, like me. Together we can achieve great goals.”
Top European clubs and teams from Saudi Arabia wanted him. Is the renewal a definitive shield?
“Exactly. I know important teams were looking for me, but Juve is also important. I’m already at a great club, why should I start over elsewhere? I’m very happy here and want to win with this shirt. I’ve been in Italy for six years; it’s my second home.”
Did the new course set by Giuntoli-Motta influence your decision?
“Absolutely. I strongly believe in Juventus’ project. I know it’s multi-year, and that’s why I chose to stay for a long time. Juve, like all great teams, has the mission to win. The Italian Cup was my first trophy, and I certainly don’t want to stop there.”
What has Giuntoli brought to Continassa?
“His arrival gave me great serenity. We’ve often talked, and deep down, I knew I could give even more. He pushed me not to settle: he’s a great motivator.”
What impression did Thiago Motta make on you?
“He’s very good. I can also speak Portuguese with him. He’s eager to do well and compete. We’re training a lot, even physically. Those who think we only use the ball with him are mistaken. He asks us to always be at our best, and I identify a lot with his mentality.”
What ambitions do you have for next season?
“My renewal comes precisely for this reason. It will be a different year, the first with a new coach, but it’s still too early to say what we can win. Juve is a top club, the best in Italy. We certainly want to aim high.”
This will be your third year in black and white. What assessment have you made?
“The first year was about settling in. It was difficult for me to get used to playing every three days, both physically and mentally. The second was better; we fought for the Scudetto. All this is part of a player’s growth, and I expect to improve a lot more thanks to Thiago, with whom I talk a lot. We’re at the beginning; now we just need to work.”
After the Copa America, a very tough season awaits you, with Juve involved in 5 competitions. How did you regenerate?
“By training… I played little in the national team. I knew that with twenty days of vacation, I would then have only three weeks to prepare for the start of the championship. So I decided to stay in Brazil, in Bahia, with my family, and I worked alone to arrive at the retreat ready. I told my wife, ‘No more planes. I’ll take plenty in the coming months.'”
What atmosphere did you find at Continassa?
“I see the team more united, not that it wasn’t before, but we have more order. It will be a tiring season, but now I’m more used to managing certain rhythms because I’ve grown a lot mentally.”
Did you work with a mental coach?
“Actually, talking with Chiellini helped me a lot. We often talk. In the first year, I asked him for advice on how I could manage myself when I had close matches. Last season, he was close to me especially from January onwards, when we started to do poorly in the league. He’s like an older brother; he’s my mental coach. He also helps me understand how I can best face a striker. He gives me a great hand.”
Juventus has a great tradition of defenders. Who do you see yourself in the most?
“Definitely Chiellini. When I arrived from Brazil, Mazzarri was the first to draw the comparison. He always told me, ‘You look a bit like Chiellini.’ He was my point of reference. I always watched him. We played against each other two or three times, but I was shy and embarrassed to talk to him. When I arrived at Juventus, I asked if I could have his shirt, and from there, a great relationship was born. I’m just sorry I didn’t play alongside him.”
With Motta, you defend with four and with a very high line. What changes for you and how difficult is it to get used to?
“Tactically, we’re still working little, but the team this year is more suited to playing with four, and I already do it with Brazil. New players have arrived, including a goalkeeper who plays more with his feet and stays high. It takes willingness from everyone. The coach is on the right track, even if something is still missing. I like playing higher; I feel freer. You can already see in training and friendlies that we’re more aggressive.”
In Bologna, Thiago had Calafiori, who, in addition to defending, advanced to set up. Do you think you have the foot and quality to play that type of game?
“Why not? It’s a matter of training: if you work every day to make a certain movement, it comes naturally in the match. Last year I did it occasionally; this year everything will be more codified.”
Among the new arrivals is Douglas Luiz, your national team teammate. What kind of player is he?
“Very strong, you could already see it in the first friendly. He has talent. When we were in Brazil, I told him he would fit in very well at Juventus. He’s a great signing; the fans will soon realize it.”
Douglas takes corners and free kicks and can lead to many goals. Do you expect to score more thanks to him?
“That was the first thing I told him: you always have to kick and put it well in the area, then we defenders will take care of it… The first year I had scored 5 goals, last season 3. I aim to score more. We Brazilians will bring joy and cheerfulness. I’m sure it will be a great year, and we’ll have fun.”
Napoli, Milan, and Juve have changed coaches, Inter hasn’t. Do you see a more balanced Serie A?
“Inter is the favorite and starts again to win the Scudetto. It’s still early; there’s a month left until the end of the transfer market, and many teams are strengthening. We hope to make it more competitive.”
