Jugovic advises Juventus against signing Tonali, sees message with rejected Chelsea offer | OneFootball

Former Juventus star Vladimir Jugovic believes the Bianconeri should try to revive Teun Koopmeiners’ career rather than chasing other midfielders like Sandro Tonali and feels the Serie A giants put ‘more responsibility’ on Kenan Yildiz after rejecting an offer from Chelsea.

Former Juventus midfielder Jugovic believes the Old Lady should not lose hope in Koopmeiners despite the Dutchman’s poor debut season in Turin.

The Bianconeri had been linked with a move for Newcastle midfielder Tonali, but Jugovic believes the Bianconeri should rely on Koopmeiners instead.

Jugovic tells Juventus to focus on Koopmeiners, not Tonali

TURIN, ITALY – DECEMBER 11: Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus speaks to referee Clement Turpin during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Juventus and Manchester City at Juventus Stadium on December 11, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“Tonali is a complete player, but I don’t know how feasible it is to go after a Premier League player at this time. I would go for another name instead,” he told Gazzetta.

“Juventus already have an all-around player like Koopmeiners, who was bought just a year ago for over €50m. At Atalanta, he was a regular starter, even in central midfield. I would strongly push for a revival of Koop, paired with Thuram. The Frenchman has interesting qualities, but at Juventus, two things matter: consistency and winning. I was sold after losing a Champions League Final against Borussia Dortmund. Back then, finishing second was considered a disaster.”

Juventus are still expected to make some changes in midfield and are in talks with several Premier League clubs for Douglas Luiz, who has returned to training at Continassa after missing the first days of the pre-season without the club’s consent.

“It was an unacceptable incident for a professional. I don’t know how Luciano Moggi would have handled it,” said Jugovic.

“Maybe he wouldn’t even have signed Douglas Luiz at all. Moggi paid attention to the mentality, not just performance on the pitch. It’s no coincidence that he often bet on players who were accustomed to winning. Vialli had won with Sampdoria, Ferrara with Napoli, I had won with Red Star, Deschamps with Marseille and Zidane…was Zidane, a phenomenon.”

Juventus ‘put more responsibility’ on Yildiz by rejecting Chelsea offer

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JULY 01: Kenan Yildiz #10 of Juventus FC runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Arda Gueler #15 of Real Madrid C.F. during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Real Madrid CF and Juventus FC at Hard Rock Stadium on July 01, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Gazzetta reported last week that Juventus had rejected an offer close to €80m for their talent Yildiz.

“There were no untouchable players when I used to play, and we still won. Think of the sales of Boksic, Vieri, Zidane,” Jugovic noted.

“By rejecting Chelsea’s offer, the management put even more responsibility on Yildiz’s shoulders.”

As for Dusan Vlahovic, who is looking for an escape route from the Allianz Stadium, Jugovic said: “I hope a solution is found quickly, for everyone’s good. It’s a chapter that needs to be closed. The rest are personal choices.”