5 Youngsters to Watch out for in the Juventus Academy

It has been an interesting few months at Juventus, from Antonio Conte’s surprising resignation to the appointment of Massimiliano Allegri. The club missed out on a number of high-profile transfer targets but managed to add some real depth with the likes of Romulo and Alvaro Morata. 

In addition, the capture of promising Paris Saint-Germain striker Kingsley Coman has added to the buzz surrounding the reigning Italian champions. The 18-year-old Frenchman made a good impression on his debut against Chievo, and his potential was discussed in greater detail here.

His inclusion in the starting line-up continued a promise made by Allegri, who said recently that age was no barrier to the first team.

"I've always allowed them to play in my teams,” Allegri said when asked about young players, per Football Italia.

With the likes of Mattia De Sciglio and Bryan Cristante enjoying breakthroughs under his guidance at Milan, his track record also clearly bolsters that claim. With no such homegrown players finding their way into Conte’s plans over the last three years, Allegri’s arrival should increase those hopes.

Over the following pages is a look at five players from the Juventus academy who can hope to follow Coman into the first team. 

Pol Garcia Tena

Getty Images

Part of the Juventus side that won the Viareggio Tournament in 2012, Pol Garcia Tena was the captain of the club’s Primavera (under-19 side) last term. The talented defender has been with the Turin giants for almost four years, leaving Barcelona to join the Bianconeri.

Comfortable at either left-back or in central defence, Garcia has proven to have an excellent range of passing and reads the game extremely well. He was sent on loan to Vicenza last week, with Juve hoping a spell in Serie B proves to be an invaluable experience for the 19-year-old Spaniard. 

Sergio Buenacasa

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Like Pol Garcia, Sergio Buenacasa is another Barcelona youngster who opted for a future in Turin rather than with the Catalan club, joining the Bianconeri last summer.

A traditional central striker, he stands 5'11.5" and possesses a superb first touch and a keen eye for goal.

Mattia Vitale

Dita Alangkara/Associated Press

A surprise inclusion in a number of Juve’s pre-season games, Mattia Vitale moved to Juventus from Bologna back in 2012. A versatile and hardworking midfielder, the 16-year-old appears set for a bright future with the Bianconeri.

His performance against Cesena convinced Allegri to take him on the club’s tour of Asia, and he is steadily emerging as one of the most talented players of his generation. Comfortable with both feet, he excels on the left, able to play either centrally or wide. He is certainly a name to monitor in the coming months. 

Daniele Rugani

Paolo Giovannini/Associated Press

Over the last two seasons, Daniele Rugani has matured into one of the finest young defenders on the peninsula. Currently back on loan with former club Empoli, the 20-year-old has consistently impressed observers in his 40 first-team appearances for the Tuscan club.

Standing 1.88 meters (6′3″) tall, Rugani has all the attributes to play at the heart of defence. He is strong in the air and an intelligent ball-winner with smart distribution skills. With Andrea Barzagli aging, Juventus may already have the perfect replacement on their books. 

Federico Mattiello

Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

Federico Mattiello seems set to be the first homegrown player to feature for the club under Allegri. Born in Lucca, the 19-year-old has spent his entire career to date with the Bianconeri, impressing at every level as he moved up through the ranks of the youth sector.

Now included in the Champions League squad, he has certainly grabbed Allegri’s attention in their short time together this summer. A versatile wide player, capable of featuring on the wing or as a wing-back, he is extremely talented and seems comfortable against any level of opposition.

He is being given a major opportunity thanks to an impressive campaign last term, which included a vital goal that delivered youth cup glory to Juve. His defensive contribution requires work and further coaching, but he has already proven to be an incisive attacking player.