3 Positions Juventus Must Bolster in the Summer Transfer Window

Looking at the performances of Juventus so far this season, it is difficult to find areas in need of improvement. Sitting comfortably atop the Serie A standings, the Bianconeri have comfortably advanced to the latter stages of both the Champions League and Coppa Italia, further underlining the ability within the squad.

Paul Pogba has enjoyed the best season of his career, lifting his game to new heights on seemingly a weekly basis, and those around him have also performed at a consistently high level. With only nine goals scored against them in Serie A, Juventus boast Europe’s meanest back line, despite the fact Andrea Barzagli—arguably their best defender—has yet to play a single minute this term.

However, as always with Europe’s biggest clubs, the Turin giants will undoubtedly look to strengthen the options available to them this summer. Over the following pages is a look at three areas the Bianconeri will surely look to address when the transfer window reopens, with a look at a number of possible targets.

Back-Up Goalkeeper

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Hardly the most glamorous position, the need for a player to back up Gigi Buffon has suddenly become a pressing issue this summer. The contract of long-term deputy Marco Storari expires in June, and the club may seek an alternative to the 38-year-old who arrived in Turin back in 2010.

However, the former Sampdoria, Milan and Napoli stopper has always been reliable when called upon, Juventus winning all three games in which he has featured this term. Replacing him will be no simple task, with perhaps former Italy youth international Nicola Leali the front-runner for the role.

Currently on loan at Cesena, the 21-year-old—who signed for the Bianconeri back in 2012—is viewed as one of the peninsula’s most promising goalkeepers. While he has kept just one clean sheet for the struggling Emilia-Romagna-based club, statistics from Fox Soccer show only four men in Serie A have made more saves.

Central Defence

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The on-going concern over Barzagli has led to a need for reinforcements in central defence. Allegri clearly views Martin Caceres as a full-back, meaning that options are limited beyond the first-choice pairing of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.

Angelo Ogbonna—who has shone when called upon this term in some vastly improved displays—is the only other recognised central defender in the squad, though once again the club has a ready-made replacement prepared.

Looking more and more impressive each week, Empoli’s Daniele Rugani was co-owned by Juventus, who late last month ended that agreement by buying the player outright. A statement on their official website showed they had spent €3.5 million to do so, and looking at his form for the Tuscan side it is easy to see why.

The 20-year-old has scored two goals, while his impressive displays are difficult to quantify using just statistics. According to WhoScored.com he averages just one tackle and 0.7 interceptions per game, yet watching him play he is rarely caught out of position, playing with a maturity that belies his young age.

Perhaps far more telling is that the same source shows he has made an average of just 0.5 fouls per game, and is yet to be booked in 22 games this term. In addition, Squawka.com shows Rugani has won 64 percent of tackles and 69 percent of the headed duels he has contested this term, impressive figures for any defender.

Attack

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The one area where a real difference could be made to this squad is in attack, where there are no shortage of links to players believed to be of interest to Juventus. Paulo Dybala—discussed at length in yesterday’s column—is almost certainly on that list, as are Sassuolo pair Domenico Berardi and Simone Zaza.

Any combination of that trio would bolster an already excellent attack, while also providing Allegri with even greater tactical flexibility. With such minimal needs, the Bianconeri can take their time this summer, approaching the transfer market slowly and deliberately to take maximum advantage of their dominant position.