By Richard Hall (@Gentleman_Ultra)

“Some people say that to speak of betrayal is exaggerated but I think the opposite because there is the full sense of betrayal in this choice because of the ingratitude shown. Obviously I have to consider the role played by Juventus. I expected this kind of behaviour from them.” Aurelio De Laurentiis on Gonzalo Higuain.

The Neapolitan President in truth, represented the feelings of the city. Shirts with the Argentines name were burnt, deposited in toilets and all were posted on social media. The aggression, hurt and in some cases despair were evident, as the record breaking 36 goal ‘hero’ made his huge transfer to the most hated team in Italy. The Turin giants represent everything that Naples is not and the move was one of the most controversial in Italian Football history.  

For many looking forward to the start of Serie A this transfer signalled how the season would inevitably play out. The Turin giants may have lost Paul Pogba to Manchester United but they had in turn strengthened by taking two of their rivals most prized assets. Napoli had been severely weakened thanks to Higuain desertion, whilst Roma too had seen Miralem Pjanic make the move from the Eternal City to Turin. The ‘Old Lady’ were now being classed in the same league as PSG and Bayern Munich with it now a certainty that they would retain the Scudetto.

Juventus’s journey from the depths of Serie B to serial title winners has been impressive and over the last decade they have emerged from the depths, to return to their lofty status as Italy’s premier (and in being so most hated) club. The challenge will come but who from? With their closest rivals weakened by the transfers this summer and the two Milan clubs doing their best to regenerate, the field looks clear, although that doesn’t mean that one of these teams may sustain a challenge for at least part of the way.

Roma perhaps stand the best chance of causing the Bianconeri some problems. Luciano Spalletti is now well entrenched back at the helm and the team were impressive under him at times last season. Francesco Totti seems like he has decided to accept his swashbuckling, ‘here comes the cavalry’, last minute hero role (at least it is assumed that’s what he would like it to be called). They have also been canny themselves in the transfer market and secured the signatures of Diego Perotti, Mohammed Salah and Stephan El Shaarawy. Kevin Strootman should figure more in the absence of Pjanic and with time still to go in the market they are still active.

Napoli will welcome Ajax’s Arkadiusz Milik as Higuain’s replacement but it would be unfair to expect anything like the same goal return that the Argentinian provided. The constant attention that surrounds Kalidou Koulibaly and Lorenzo Insigne will also cause concern but if they can keep the squad together then in the long term the situation may be better than before. There will no doubt be a transitional period but once complete they may find they are no so dependent on one man as they were with Gonzalo and that their capable offensive options may chip in with more goals. If Maurizio Sarri can get this right from the off, then they may be able to push Juventus at least for a while.

So what if the Milan clubs? Inter improved last season under Roberto Mancini and became more defensively solid, albeit not as creative as they may had hoped. A poor pre-season and constant disagreements with Erick Thohir and saw the coach part ways with the club and he was replaced by Frank De Boer. Antonio Candreva and Ever Banega are solid signings and the club hasn’t finished yet. The future of Mauro Icardi still hangs in the balance and this along with how the Dutch coach’s ability to adapt to Serie A will certainly effect their progress.

Milan welcome in Vincenzo Montella and new owners and at first it looked like there may be stability around the corner. The coach’s possession based and offensive style of play is flexible and innovative and this, mixed with some of the best young talents in Serie A offered a chance for hope. This however, its Rossoneri country and Paolo Maldini’s recent statement to Spanish Paper Marca painted a picture of confusion and chaos as people at the club were operating with no defined roles. The future may change for Milan but it seems there is a hard road ahead.

Whilst arguments can be made for some clubs maybe hanging on the coat tails of Juventus this season it is unlikely that any will last the distance. The ruthless yet efficient way the club have done business is something that may feel controversial or even unethical but it can only really be classed as brilliant.  There is a lot to play for in Serie A this year but perhaps the title has already gone.