Why Juventus Will Regret Not Signing Julian Draxler in Summer Transfer Window

As Juventus spluttered to their second consecutive defeat on Sunday, the area of the pitch giving most cause for concern was undoubtedly midfield, with the difference Julian Draxler could make seemingly inescapable.

That game against AS Roma—reviewed in detail here—highlighted the lack of quality available to Massimiliano Allegri in the centre of the pitch, a matter compounded thanks to a trio of high-profile absentees. Kwadwo Asamoah, Sami Khedira and Claudio Marchisio all missed the game, robbing the coach of any semblance of cohesion.

“I’m not worried about our zero points in the league,” Allegri said at his post-match press conference, adding that he expects to have both Marchisio and Khedira available when Serie A resumes following the international break.

Yet there is no denying the impact a player like Draxler could have made against the Giallorossi, or indeed vs. Udinese a week earlier. The German was at the centre of a transfer saga that lasted almost the entire summer, with Bundesliga side Schalke 04 revealing they rejected an early bid back in July.

“I can confirm that we received an offer late this afternoon from Juventus,” their general manager Horst Heldt told SchalkeTV (h/t Gazzetta World). “I took a look at it and then decided we would reject it and we have informed Juventus that we are not open to any further talks.”

The Italian club eventually signed Juan Cuadrado from Chelsea, and it seemed a move for Draxler would not happen, only for the story to resurface last week, much to his delight. “It is undeniable that the interest from some big clubs has made me very happy,” the player told Il Corriere dello Sport (h/t Forza Italian Football).

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It was unclear how the negotiations continued, and the World Cup winner moved instead to Wolfsburg. Then this week, Juventus director general Beppe Marotta launched a scathing attack on the player and his previous club, as he told La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t ESPN):

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Talks with Schalke, who are a mysterious club, were difficult. We pulled out because their demands were disproportionate. €36m is an exaggeration, and then the player didn't want to come either. I'm disappointed not for the fact that we didn't get him, but that there was nobody to negotiate with.

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But despite those denials, the evidence of Juve’s opening two games shows just what a difference a creative midfielder like Draxler could have made. Now sitting winless in two games, the Bianconeri have appeared devoid of ideas and attacking impetus, things the 21-year-old could undoubtedly provide.

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While he missed almost all of last season with injury, the two previous campaigns saw the Gladbeck-native establish his ability with the Veltins-Arena side. In 56 games over that period, Draxler weighed in with 12 goals and nine assists, becoming one of Europe’s most promising talents as he was named the 2013/14 Bundesliga Young Player of the Year.

His speed, skill on the ball and shooting prowess made Draxler a constant threat, and a player who would have slotted seamlessly into the 4-3-2-1 formation favoured by the Bianconeri. They will now be forced to watch him develop with Wolfsburg, while hoping Hernanes—signed from Inter on deadline day—can rediscover his best form.

A deal to bring him to Turin failed to materialise for whatever reason, and if Allegri cannot improve their early displays, the failure to land Julian Draxler may haunt Juventus for the remainder of 2015/16.