Squad Updates and Injury Returns
Juventus is set to welcome back several key players as they prepare for their next Serie A encounter. Nicolás González, who has played an important role for the club and recently earned an Argentina national team recall, has returned to training. Juventus is reportedly planning to accelerate contract extension talks with him in the coming weeks [1]. Francisco Conceição, Jhon Lucumí, and Zeki Celik have also reported back for training, bolstering the squad’s options [2]. Kerim Alajbegović is expected to be available after returning from international duty with a minor issue, though he is awaiting medical test results [3]. Weston McKennie, who recently recovered from a muscle problem, is expected to start against Cagliari and has been highlighted as a new leader in Luciano Spalletti’s squad. He shares the squad’s scoring lead with Kenan Yıldız, with 27 goals each [4].
Despite these positive returns, Juventus still faces a significant injury list. Kenan Yildiz remains sidelined with a fractured metatarsal, expected to be out until December or January [3]. Khephren Thuram also remains unavailable due to injury [3]. Manuel Locatelli is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing meniscus surgery, which will keep him out for five to six months [3]. Goalkeeper Kamil Grabara’s season is over after he ruptured his cruciate ligament [3].
Transfer Market Activity and Rumours
Juventus is actively monitoring the transfer market, with several names being linked to the club. Directors reportedly watched Alessandro Romano in action during Italy’s victory over Turkey, and the club is monitoring his performances [5]. There are also rumours linking Juventus with Giovanni Leoni [6]. The club is reportedly targeting Atalanta wing-back Lorenzo Bernasconi for a January transfer, potentially involving Juan Cabal in a swap deal [6]. Furthermore, Juventus had considered signing Lorenzo Palmisani as an understudy for Guglielmo Vicario, with his agent confirming approaches from Juventus and Premier League clubs [7]. Luciano Spalletti is also reportedly launching ‘Operation Kolo Muani’ [8].
On the potential outgoing front, Juventus is reportedly considering alternatives to Nick Woltemade for next summer, with his loan expected to end as planned. Woltemade has played little and has yet to score for Juventus, leading the club to look at other strikers such as Mateo Retegui, Folarin Balogun, and Antonio Raimondo [9]. The club’s strategic moves in the transfer market indicate a focus on strengthening the squad for both immediate and future challenges, while also addressing areas where current players have not met expectations.
What it means
Juventus currently sits in 7th place in Serie A with 10 points from 5 matches, having secured 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. The team has scored 8 goals and conceded 4. Their recent form shows a mixed bag of results, with a 2-0 home win against Atalanta followed by a 2-3 away loss to US Sassuolo Calcio, and a 1-1 home draw against AC Milan. Prior to that, they secured a 2-0 home win against Parma Calcio 1913 and a 1-0 away win against Frosinone Calcio. This inconsistent form suggests the team is still finding its rhythm early in the season. The next fixture sees Juventus travel to Cagliari on October 11th. This away match presents an opportunity for Juventus to gain crucial points and improve their standing in the league, especially with key players returning from injury to bolster the squad.
Sources
- Football Italia: Report: Juventus planning to ‘accelerate’ Nico Gonzalez contract extension football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Two absentees as Juventus internationals return to training football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Juventus team news: Alajbegovic back in training, Conceição and González latest football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: McKennie set to overtake Locatelli as Juventus appearance leader in the current squad football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Juventus directors watched Italy international Romano in action against Turkey football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Juventus want Bernasconi in January and could offload Juan Cabal in the process football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Agent admits Palmisani ‘approached by Juventus and Premier League clubs’ football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Today’s Papers: Endrick opens door to Milan, Palmisani calls Juve and Modric isn’t stopping football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: Juventus not convinced by Woltemade as club target ex-Arsenal and Atalanta strikers football-italia.net ↩
