4 Players Juventus Must Not Sell This Summer
Juventus have clearly already begun work on improving their squad ahead of next season, making a major splash in the transfer market this week as their official website announced the signing of AS Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic.
Paying a fee of €32 million for the 26-year-old—who signed a five-year contract with the Bianconeri—the Turin giants have sent a clear signal of intent to their rivals. It is a superb acquisition, with this previous post explaining why the Bosnia and Herzegovina international is an ideal arrival for manager Massimiliano Allegri.
The former AC Milan boss will be able to deploy a variety of formations with Pjanic in his starting XI, particularly given the talent already in place for the Italian champions. But, if Juventus are to once again enjoy success in Serie A and the Champions League, then keeping some of those players will undoubtedly be essential.
As such, what follows is a look at four players the club must not sell this summer, looking at what they bring to the side and why they are of vital importance to the Old Lady’s hopes of winning even more silverware.
Leonardo Bonucci
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It is undeniable that the strength of this Juventus side remains its incredibly resolute defence, although the man now at the forefront of that solidity has changed. In years past, Gigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini have all been widely lauded, but 2015/16 saw Leonardo Bonucci usurp that trio.
Buffon remains the captain and enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career, yet the man ahead of him in the No. 19 shirt has blossomed into the undisputed leader of the back line. Stationed in the centre of the three-man defence that has become the side's hallmark, Bonucci’s excellent communication skills ensure they move as one to quell any threat.
According to statistics from WhoScored.com, the 29-year-old averaged 1.1 tackles, 2.3 interceptions and 4.1 clearances per game in Serie A while also connecting with an impressive 87 per cent of his 63.6 pass attempts.
The same source shows that latter figure was a team high, a fact that highlights Bonucci’s ability to step into midfield with ease, and he has also weighed in with some vital goals this term. Netting an important strike against former club Inter Milan, it was his penalty against the same opponent that sealed Juve’s place in the Coppa Italia final.
His play has won him many admirers, with Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola prompted to tell reporters at his post-match press conference that Bonucci is “one of my favourite ever players” after his side eliminated the Bianconeri from the Champions League back in March.
Bonucci is the most important member of Juve’s defence, which makes it imperative they hold on to him before the new campaign gets underway.
Paulo Dybala
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If Bonucci represents the defensive solidity of the Old Lady, then Paulo Dybala is evidently her most potent attacking option. The Argentina native enjoyed a fabulous debut season in Turin, settling into the team quickly before thriving at the forefront of this dominant force as they swept to yet another Serie A title.
He did not arrive cheaply. Juve’s official website shows they paid former club Palermo a fee of €32 million for the striker—who signed a five-year contract with the Bianconeri—while a potential further €8 million would be paid “if certain performance-related targets are met.”
He has begun to repay that sum, with only runaway top scorer Gonzalo Higuain (36) netting more times in the league than Dybala (19). Ending the season with 23 goals in all competitions, the new Juventus man would weigh in in vital games, too, striking in the Supercoppa Italiana against Lazio as well as in Serie A clashes with AC Milan, Fiorentina and crosstown rivals Torino.
Dybala also contributed nine assists, with statistics from Squawka.com showing his tally of 73 created chances was a team high and a staggering 19 more than any other member of the squad.
He told Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia) that he would like to play at the club for 20 years.
“I cannot promise it because this is not only up to me, but it would be wonderful to win what they’ve won and stay at Juventus forever,” Dybala said.
Paul Pogba
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What is there to say about Paul Pogba? One of the most widely discussed players in European football, any conversation about his talent inevitably turns to the prospect of a club paying a world-record sum to prise him away from the Bianconeri.
“Pogba? Everyone wants him because he is very talented, but he belongs to Juventus,” Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane told reporters in Mumbai last week, per Football Italia, and his club are certainly among those pushing to change that fact.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the Bernabeu giants would need to hand over Germany international Toni Kroos plus a fee of €120 million to force a deal, but team-mate Mario Mandzukic told Sportske Novosti that Juventus is the ideal place for him to blossom.
“I have seen many great midfielders in my career, but nobody can compare to Pogba in terms of age, quality and potential,” the Croatia international said (h/t FourFourTwo). “He will become one of the best in the world, if not the best. I already told him 'You have to stay in Turin for another couple of years to complete that step up in quality.'"
Having watched Pogba contribute an impressive 10 goals and 14 assists in all competitions this term, that is evident to everyone at Juventus, who must hold on to the 23-year-old if they wish to continue on their current upward trajectory.
Alvaro Morata
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Alvaro Morata is a different case to the other players on this list, but his importance to Juventus is no less significant. Ever since he arrived at Juventus in the summer of 2014, questions over his future have constantly lingered due to the buyback clause contained in his contract by Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants can trigger that option this summer or next year for a fee of up to €30 million, according to Juve's website, and it seems a number of other clubs are in turn willing to invest heavily in the 23-year-old.
According to various reports—including one from Matt Law of the Telegraph—Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain would all like to sign Morata when the transfer window opens and hand Real Madrid a quick profit.
Yet Morata has been essential to Juventus during his time with the club. His pace and direct approach add a dimension to the attack that none of their other available options provide, and replacing him would be extremely difficult.
“If I were Morata, I would stay here,” Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri told RAI television recently (h/t ESPN FC). ”Now he's got the European Championship, but let's hope he comes back after. I would like everybody to stay. We have a dream of winning the Champions League and we all want to realise it.”
With goals against his former club, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona in the run to their Champions League final appearance in 2015 and strikes against Manchester City this term, Morata is key to that, and Juventus should do all they can to keep him in their famous black and white stripes.
