3 Long-Term Replacements for Patrice Evra at Juventus

While his name may be overlooked when discussing the club’s most influential players, there is little doubting the impact Patrice Evra has had at Juventus. Arriving from Manchester United last summer, the Frenchman quickly won a place in the regular starting XI and became a hugely important figure in the side.

His presence was key in allowing Massimiliano Allegri to move the team from the back three it had become accustomed to playing, giving the coach an orthodox left-back and facilitating the switch to a four-man defence.

Evra was superb all year and is aware of the huge responsibility that comes with representing the grand Old Lady of Italian football. “Every time I play with this jersey, I try to respect those who came before me,” he told Sky Italia earlier this year (h/t Football Italia). Who will follow the 34-year-old is perhaps a more pertinent question.

With his time at the top of the game surely limited—and with no genuine alternative in the squad at present—the Bianconeri are undoubtedly seeking a long-term successor to Evra. Over the following pages is a look at three such players, men who could become the left-back for Juventus over the coming years.

All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com unless otherwise stated

Matteo Darmian (Torino)

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With Matteo Darmian currently starring for cross-town rivals Torino, Juventus need not look far for a leading candidate to solve their dilemma at left-back. The Italy international is a proven commodity, able to play on both flanks equally well and clearly an established force in Serie A.

The one prohibitive factor here could well be cost, with the Granata determined not to give up the 25-year-old cheaply. Sky Italia believes it would take a fee of over €20 million to sign Darmian (h/t Football Italia).

Yet if Juventus identify him as the man to become the long-term successor to Evra, that could prove to be money well spent.

Sime Vrsaljko (Sassuolo)

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Were the cost of Darmian to prove too high, perhaps Sime Vrsaljko of Sassuolo could provide a more reasonable alternative. The Croatian has enjoyed two impressive years in Serie A, and he has undoubtedly matured well with the Neroverdi, averaging 1.2 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game last season.

Like the Torino man, he has proven capable of playing on either side of the field, and the Bianconeri are believed to have a long-standing interest in the future of the 23-year-old. According to Mediaset (h/t Forza Italian Football), the player was linked with a €4 million move to Juventus back in January, and the club might do well to revisit that bid.

He plays with a lot of energy, pressing forward well but recovering quickly to fulfil his defensive duties. Vrsaljko notched three assists in 2014/15 and is a smart passer, though his crossing still needs some improvement.

Layvin Kurzawa (AS Monaco)

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Perhaps it is apt that one of the alternatives to succeed Evra at Juventus should be a man who is also seeking to supplant him in the France national team. Just as the older man did, Layvin Kurzawa has enjoyed a fruitful spell at AS Monaco, and now the 22-year-old finds himself in demand across Europe.

The Bianconeri were afforded the opportunity to see Kurzawa up close, as he played the first leg when the two teams met in last season's Champions League quarter-finals. They would have seen a player who impresses when going forward, but one with much to learn defensively. However, there is time to iron out that issue.

According to WhoScored.com, he averaged 2.1 tackles and 2.9 interceptions per game in Ligue 1, and he would benefit from joining the squad before Evra moves on, as his guidance could help smooth out the rough edges of his game.