How Juventus could line up for the 2021/22 season
By Harry Symeou
Massimiliano Allegri is back at Juventus, even after it seemed Andrea Pirlo may have saved his job on the final weekend of the Serie A season by squeezing into the top four.
The Bianconeri took the decision to part ways with their former midfield maestro in favour of bringing back the six-time Serie A winner, and it's expected to be a summer of change in Turin.
Given the significant impact of the global pandemic from a financial perspective, Juventus are going to have to get creative in the transfer market just like many other teams.
Taking all things into account, here is a look at how they could line up next season.
GK: Wojciech Szczesny
The Poland international goalkeeper enjoyed a good relationship with Allegri prior to the 53-year-old's departure in the summer of 2019. Since leaving the Premier League, initially to join Roma, Szczesny has developed into one of the continent's finest goalkeepers.
At 31-years-old, he's at his peak and while the club are still being linked with a move for Gianluigi Donnarumma his demands may prove impossible for the Bianconeri to meet. The goalkeeping position doesn't feel like it should be a priority for Juventus as they move into the new season with the objective of wrestling the title back from Inter.
RB: Danilo
The Brazilian defender enjoyed a solid campaign despite being asked to play in a number of positions over the course of what proved to be a difficult season for Juve He filled in at left-back, centre-back and central midfield.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt
It's probably fair to say Matthijs de Ligt is yet to live up to the expectation which surrounded his huge money move from the Eredivisie two summers ago.
His performances have been better during his second season at the Allianz Stadium and given the potential he's shown throughout his short career so far and the substantial investment made in him, Juventus should certainly persist with him.
CB: Leonardo Bonucci
Giorgio Chiellini's future is still unclear but with his Juventus contract due to expire at the end of the month, the likelihood is he will leave the club. That would make Leonardo Bonucci the most senior central defender at Allegri's disposal and De Ligt will benefit from playing alongside the veteran.
With Merih Demiral also available to the returning boss, if money is as tight as we're led to believe - Juve may defer signing another centre-back until next summer.
LB: Alex Sandro
Alex Sandro has long been linked with a move away from Juventus but for the time being, he remains the club's first-choice left-back.
Gianluca Frabotta feels like he could be the long-term solution if given the right opportunities but it's not clear whether he's at that level just yet.
RW: Ousmane Dembele
According to reports on the continent, Ousmane Dembele is one of Juventus' primary transfer targets. The 24-year-old is heading into the final season of his current deal with Barcelona and a new agreement is yet to be reached.
Therefore, despite having spent over £121m on the former Borussia Dortmund winger, the Catalan club could be forced into selling the winger on the cheap. While the Serie A giants are said to be serious in their interest in the player, they are not the only ones monitoring his situation.
CM: Miralem Pjanic
The Bosnian was one of Allegri's most trusted generals and just a year after he left the club to sign for Barcelona, he's being linked with a return to Juventus.
Recent reports have claimed Rodrigo Bentancur could be offered to Barça on loan in exchange for Pjanic to come the other way again. The player made 178 appearances for the Bianconeri prior to being sold for £54m.
CM: Manuel Locatelli
Manuel Locatelli has forced his way into the national team set-up since joining Sassuolo from AC Milan for £12m in July 2019.
The Neroverdi enjoyed a successful campaign, finishing eighth in Serie A and the 23-year-old is one of a number of their players attracting interest from some of Italy's biggest clubs. Midfield is certainly an area in which Juve must improve if they're to improve next season and as far as defensive midfield players go, Locatelli is one of the best in the league.
LW: Federico Chiesa
Federico Chiesa was arguably Juventus' best performer during the 2020/21 campaign. He contributed nine goals and nine assists but perhaps more impressively, the 23-year-old stepped up to the plate with vital goals when his teammates and boss needed him most.
While technically he is on loan from Fiorentina until June 2022, Juve have an obligation to buy Chiesa at the end of the current agreement and he is likely to play a big role for the club for many years to come.
ST: Cristiano Ronaldo
There's been much speculation regarding Cristiano Ronaldo's future but the player has another season remaining on his contract at Juventus. Given his profile and subsequent demands, there are only a handful of football clubs who can afford to take the Portuguese superstar on.
In an ideal world, the Bianconeri may feel moving the 36-year-old on this summer and saving a season's worth of his salary would be the best outcome - they may not be able to do so. Having said that, he's still an incredible footballer and worthy of a place in this Juve side based on footballing merit alone.
ST: Duvan Zapata
Atalanta's Duvan Zapata has been one of the league's best strikers for a number of seasons now. He's played a significant role in Gian Piero Gasperini's side establishing themselves as a Champions League club and is said to be attracting interest from Juventus.
He netted 15 league goals last season as well as providing ten assists and while Atalanta insist the player is not for sale, the right offer could certainly tempt the club's hierarchy into cashing in on the 30-year-old.