Why Juventus Should Look to Sell Martin Caceres During January Transfer Window

With the January transfer window now open, clubs across Europe are looking to strengthen their squads and address any perceived weaknesses that have developed. It is also a time for moving on unwanted players, whether to rid themselves of a problem or free up space for someone else to shine.

For Juventus, it is increasingly apparent that one man in particular must move on, with Martin Caceres fitting both those aforementioned criteria.

The Uruguay international is out of contract in the summer, but it is becoming clear that his time in Turin may end sooner than that for those very reasons.

Sadly for both the 28-year-old and the Bianconeri, that has much more to do with off-field issues rather than the contribution he makes when taking his place on the pitch. Indeed, with Andrea Barzagli missing much of last season through injury, Caceres stepped into the starting XI and performed remarkably well.

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According to WhoScored.com, the former Barcelona man averaged 1.8 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per game during 2014/15, while making 70.5 passes per game in the Champions League last term, connecting with an impressive 92.2 percent of those attempts.

Able to play as a central defender or full-back, Caceres marries that versatility with both good pace and a strong physical presence, yet during the current campaign he has made almost as many appearances for Uruguay as he has for Juventus.

It began very differently, however, with the defender starting in the Supercoppa Italiana victory over Lazio and then retaining his place in two of the club’s first three Serie A fixtures.

But—in the same September week that Stephan Lichtsteiner underwent surgery—Caceres would be involved in a drunk-driving incident.

Italian news agency ANSA revealed that he crashed his Ferrari into parked cars and a bus shelter in Turin, having his license revoked after he was proven to be over the legal alcohol limit. With the player having committed a similar offence 12 months earlier, Juventus reacted quickly and suspended Caceres just before a Champions League clash with Sevilla.

A club statement labelled the matter a “gross violation of his responsibilities as a Juventus player, as well as damaging the image of the club,” and coach Massimiliano Allegri failed to call on Caceres in any of the year’s remaining matches.

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Yet when Serie A returned following the winter break, it was a surprise to see his name in the starting XI once again, particularly as it meant impressive youngster Daniele Rugani would miss out on the opportunity to play against Hellas Verona.

The former Empoli man had managed just one start before that clash, his omission from it prompting an outburst from his agent Davide Torchia during an interview with Radio CRC (h/t Football Italia):

"

Juve continue to declare how important he is, but yesterday with Barzagli out it was Caceres who played.

This decision left me rather perplexed, seeing as the lad did so well in the Coppa Italia. In any case, I hope the club will keep its word, seeing as it claims Rugani is the first choice after that trio.

The whole football world expected to see Daniele play yesterday.

"

Allegri was inevitably then asked about those comments during a recent press conference, praising Caceres but moving to reassure Rugani that his time would come and that he understood the reason why his representative was complaining.

“I don't know what Rugani's agent said, I can only reply that he wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't ask for him to play,” the coach said, per Football Italia. “But I'm the coach and my own job involves knowing when Rugani has to play. He's a young kid and he'll be part of the January transfer window until the end.”

“I think he'll be part of Juventus too, for many years,” Allegri added, and it is for that very reason that it is vital Juventus look to sell Caceres this month in order to allow the 21-year-old the space he needs.