Grading Juventus on Their 2015 Summer Transfer Window Dealings

This summer has been a difficult one for Juventus, perhaps even surpassing the tumultuous one they endured 12 months earlier as the Italian champions were once again forced to deal with an unwanted situation.

While the departures of Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez were much less controversial than Antonio Conte’s hasty exit last July, they forced the Bianconeri into a rebuilding phase much sooner than the club would have liked.

Both players appeared to decide that a runners-up spot in the Champions League was as far as they could go, moving on to New York City FC and Boca Juniors respectively, but grading what Juventus have done since then is particularly difficult.

To be able to judge it fairly, the order in which deals happened must be set aside, and instead what follows is a look at each department of the team and the various ins and outs that took place.

Goalkeepers

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Veteran shot-stopper Marco Storari joined Cagliari after their demotion to Serie B and was replaced by former goalkeeper Neto. No money moved in either direction, and the Brazilian provides a far more viable long-term alternative to Gigi Buffon should he be required.

Grade: A

Defence

Angelo Ogbonna was sold to West Ham United, with both Mauricio Isla and Paolo De Ceglie going on loan to Marseille as the transfer deadline closed in. Juventus replaced the error-prone former Torino captain with promising youngster Daniele Rugani after a successful spell with Empoli, while making a shock move for Alex Sandro.

The FC Porto man arrives with a huge reputation and ensures the Bianconeri have a successor to Patrice Evra already in the squad before the French star even considers heading for the exit.

Grade: A

Midfield

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After a relatively smooth opening month of the summer, Arturo Vidal announced his own decision to leave, securing a move to Bayern Munich shortly after helping Chile win the Copa America. This was the deal Juventus truly did not want to make, losing a third key figure so soon after the 2014/15 league and cup double.

A statement on the club website revealed the German champions had paid €37 million for the 28-year-old midfielder, but finding a player capable of replacing “King Arturo” would be no easy task. Simone Pepe had already departed on a free transfer, the 32-year-old joining Chievo after his contract with the Bianconeri expired.

Sami Khedira arrived on a similar deal following the end of his Real Madrid contract, and while it will require a distinct change in playing style, he can effectively take over from Pirlo in the centre of the pitch.

Juan Cuadrado made a loan switch from Chelsea, but the Turin giants seemed no closer to replacing the dynamism and attacking intent lost with Vidal as the window drew to a close. The opportunity to sign Julian Draxler came and went, with a €25 million deal expected by Sky Italia (h/t Football Italia) never materialising.

Mario Lemina came from Marseille, while a last-minute deal for Inter’s Hernanes took everyone by surprise. If he or Cuadrado can rediscover their best form, Juventus will have made the best of a bad situation, but the inability to land a big-name midfielder could yet haunt them for the rest of the season.

Grade: D

Attack

Here the summer began with great promise, with Paulo Dybala moving from Palermo in a deal worth €32 million—with a further €8 million in potential add-ons—according to Juve’s official website.

While he joins with huge potential, the addition of Mario Mandzukic gave the club a striker with a proven European pedigree. Italy international Simone Zaza also means there will be no shortage of options in attack.

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Yet two odd deals would follow as the Old Lady released Fernando Llorente, the Spanish striker joining Europa League winners Sevilla. Juve then allowed Kingsley Coman to follow Vidal to Bayern Munich after the young Frenchman had been in the starting XI for both the Supercoppa Italiana against Lazio and the opening Serie A fixture vs. Udinese.

“Coman is on his way and has asked to leave,” Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri said at a press conference last week, visibly annoyed. “I’ve picked him for our first two games, but he’s decided his future lies elsewhere.”

Grade: B+

Summary

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The goalkeeping department and defence are undeniably stronger than last season, and while the attack may have lost a star in Tevez, there is clearly more depth and greater potential throughout.

That holds true for the entire squad, but midfield remains a concern. Director general Beppe Marotta must hope that one of his gambles—which is how Cuadrado and Hernanes must be viewed—pays off for Allegri in the coming months.

It should not have been left to chance, but Marotta failed to deliver a bigger target, and now his coach must find a way to make these pieces work.

Overall Grade: B-