Juventus summer transfer window holds special significance

The summer transfer window is not a point of celebration for Juventus fans in recent years.

For one, the quality of the current squad is far below the level necessary to contend in a competitive Serie A. Then, the decisions from the upper management in the club failed to rectify any of these shortcomings. This reflects and understanding of how or aspiration to do what it takes to improve the squad.

Juventus’s shortcomings

Let’s start with the club’s back line. In recent seasons, Alex Sandro underperformed. Yet, Juventus shows little interest in finding a replacement in that position. At center back, there is no serioud indication of pursuing an upgrade. Keep in mind that Juventus lost the services of both Giorgio Chiellini and Mattias de Ligt, who transferred to LAFC and Bayern Munich, respectively.

Further up the pitch, the Bianconeri boast a strong midfield three. Locatelli, Zakaria and the return of Paul Pogba is a great trio of skill and strength. However, the lack of depth could become an issue for Max Allegri. Adrian Rabiot disappointed throughout his time in Turin. While Allegri deployed Danilo as a midfielder, that is not his natural position.

Juve grapples with those same issues up top in the wake of Paulo Dyaba’s departure. Federico Chiesa hopes to return to training with the first team in September. Provided he can pick up his form before injury, he is part of a talented front line. Dušan Vlahović and Ángel Di María join the Italian to form one of Italy and Europe’s best front lines. However, it is far from a guarantee that Chiesa can immediately make an impact that rivals what he put out at Euro 2020. Plus, at 34 years old, Di María likely needs rest to recuperate throughout the season.

That leaves Allegri with just Moise Kean as an alternative, but the forward has yet to convince that he can fill that void.

Juventus summer transfer window

The gulf in quality between Juve and recent contenders for the Serie A title tightened this transfer window. However, the club’s lineup remains well below the level it was four or five years ago. Back then, the club regularly challenged in the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League. For reference, the club suffered embarrassing eliminations to Ajax, Lyon, Porto and Villarreal in the last four iterations of the competition.  If it continues to struggle against sides of that caliber, it faces greater difficulty attracting top players to the Allianz.

It’s true that they did secure the return of Paul Pogba and the signing of Di Maria. The Frenchman’s previous success in Turin played a key role in luring him back to Italy. For Di María, he only joined on a year-long contract and slowly regresses with age.

Official, confirmed. Paul Pogba signs his contract as new Juventus player, new deal worth €8m net plus add ons until June 2026. Commission around €2.5m. 🚨⚪️⚫️ #Juventus

Pogba, back at Juventus on a free transfer after being sold for €100m six years ago. pic.twitter.com/CmhXTO0XUH

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 11, 2022

Still, Juventus’s ability to land players of their pedigree is a rare step in the right direction. The likes of Aaron Ramsey, Adrian Rabiot and Danilo marked the club’s major transfers in previous summers. Unsurprisingly, the Old Lady lost its grip on Serie A and success in the UEFA Champions League.

Managing the squad

Allegri, meanwhile, could be forgiven for the Old Lady’s underwhelming season given its state when he took charge last summer. Juventus had scraped by to fourth place only because Napoli relinquished the position on the final day of the 2020-2021 season, and had ultimately failed to produce the attacking, progressive football it had aimed to deliver under Maurizio Sarri and Andrea Pirlo.

Though Allegri’s ultra-defensive brand of football had yielded much success in his previous spell at the club, it is unlikely to please supporters if it does not result in any meaningful challenge for silverware. Unless, the club demonstrate significant progress in their performances and ability to compete for titles, more supporters will question Allegri’s methods and his ability to lead this side forward.

Ultimately though, Juventus’s upper management bears the greatest share of responsibility for the club’s decline over the past four years. Juventus’s summer transfer window are steps in the right direction. Yet, the state of its squad is a good mile off the standard necessary to contend at the continent’s highest level.

PHOTO: Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images