Departing Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini has dubbed Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni his heir.

Chiellini is leaving Juve and has also retired from international football.

“When Andrea Pirlo retired, everyone was worried about finding the new Pirlo, but there isn't anyone with his characteristics, so we had to create a new type of team," Chiellini told Sky Italia.

“Bastoni has different characteristics to me, but Italy can sleep easy at night knowing he is there and I can assure you he will be remembered not as the new Chiellini, but as Alessandro Bastoni."

Bastoni has since thanked Chiellini on social media for his remarks.