Strengths and Weaknesses of Juventus Transfer Target Juan Cuadrado

Juan Cuadrado is an interesting case.

Not hitting the heights many Chelsea supporters expected in his first five months at Stamford Bridge, the Colombian is caught between conflicting notions of his footballing prowess.

On one hand, many would clearly remember his exploits with Serie A's Fiorentina, link his Premier League struggles with adaptation, and deem his opening English act an aberration—thus giving him another chance with the Blues in 2015/16.

The other hand asserts—no matter how much time Jose Mourinho elects to give the winger—Cuadrado will undoubtedly fall short, thus better to dissolve all relations with the attacking option while the memory of successful seasons in Italy remains intact and the transfer fee relatively unchanged.

2014/15 Champions League runner-up Juventus, per ESPN FC, have been linked as Cuadrado's saviour (and/or newest captor).

Probably subscribing to the former idea of the 27-year-old's short time with Chelsea, the Old Lady might be attempting to weigh Cuadrado's strengths and weaknesses—both in game and the transfer market—before pouncing on his signature.

We may be able to help Juve out...  

Weaknesses: Current Form and, in Turn, Confidence

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Bought for £26.1 million this January, Cuadrado was Andre Schurrle's scheduled replacement in Mourinho's winger rotation. Behind Willian and the Blues' heir-apparent superstar Eden Hazard, the Colombian—though excelling at Fiorentina—was unable to break their stranglehold on places.

Playing in 12 Premier League matches, with only four starts and 312 total minutes, marking the attacker's entire offensive repertoire as substandard is utterly premature and shortsighted. When new EPL players like Diego Costa and/or Alexis Sanchez hit the ground running, the Cuadrados of the world—who require a normal acclimation period—appear busts.

That said, the winger has not exactly shown any reason for optimism, and were solid offers to appear on Mourinho's desk, they would have to be seriously considered.

Where Cuadrado's form has taken his confidence is another area of concern. Were Juventus, or any other club, to reach in their pockets, they must factor the chance they are purchasing a project—both on the pitch and, worryingly more possible, in his own mind. 

Strengths: Pace and Skill

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Despite, rather predictably, struggling to find himself at Stamford Bridge in a brief period, Cuadrado was purchased for a reason. If Mourinho simply wanted another wide option he has Ramires or even youth options to fill spots and squad gaps, but he opted for an outside solution.

Cuadrado’s calling cards are his boisterous pace and technical savvy. These, though—while key in Italy, Spain, France and Germany—do not necessarily translate to success in the England, hence the 27-year-old’s struggles.

In the event Juventus approach Chelsea with a concrete offer, those attributes—displayed at Fiorentina and which caught the eye of Mourinho—will undoubtedly return to the fore.

Serie A lends itself to be dominated by athleticism. For every Andrea Pirlo, there is a Paul Pogba: Whose physical traits exceed normality and invariably become head and shoulders above the every man.

Cuadrado’s pace, and combined on-ball skill place him nearer than category that any other, and having spent five-and-a-half seasons in Italy, his English sabbatical of five months would be soon forgotten.

Weaknesses: Power and Goal Scoring

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In over 200 professional matches, in Colombia, Italy and now England, Cuadrado has scored just 29 goals. Yet, he has almost equaled that goals tally with assists—providing 24 in the same time frame.

Here we might discover, though having the raw skill and speed one might think makes a goalscorer, Cuadrado is more a provider from wide areas than a finisher. In a world consumed by statistical accumulation, specifically in terms of goals, this discovery becomes a pitfall for the Colombian international.

Furthermore, the Premier League is famously and notoriously physical. Unless one’s technical ability is so great to make strength superfluous, having the power to keep dogged opposition from snapping the ball is fundamental to English success.

Cuadrado’s largest, and perhaps most crucial liability, is his technical ability does not supersede his lack of physical strength, therefore making his deficiency a glaring issue. This could be resolved with training and increased game time, but as discussed previously Hazard and Willian are sure to make on-the-job work experience a scarce commodity for their team-mate.

Strengths: Age and Potential Transfer Fee

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Were the four-time-defending Italian champions interested in Cuadrado, and Chelsea elected to sell, Juventus would have two reasons to celebrate.

First, imagining Juve wanted the winger in January—but the Blues beat them to his signature—they would have surely paid more money buying from another Italian club than they would from the English champions. Moreover, Cuadrado's stock has fallen, even if ever so slightly, which means a few million shaved from the transfer fee.

Second, and most importantly, Cuadrado is 27.

Entering the prime of his career, Massimilliano Allegri would have at least four seasons to mold the proven Serie A quantity into his burgeoning Juventus outfit.

Additionally, were the Colombian to flop in Turin, there would be enough time left on his legs to possibly make the money back. Twenty-nine, 30 or 31-year-olds are too far-gone to reclaim excessive purchases, but 27 is an age for any conceivable possibility. 

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*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.