Pierre Kalulu stands firm as Juventus weather upheaval | OneFootball

Pierre Kalulu has become a constant for Juventus amid a turbulent 2025, the only French international outfield player in the Big 5 leagues to have played every club minute this season. Juventus visit Pisa on Saturday at 20:45.

According to L'Équipe, three coaches, Thiago Motta, Igor Tudor and Luciano Spalletti, plus interim Massimo Brambilla, have come and gone as the hierarchy was reshaped. In a team searching for identity, the 25-year-old has quickly become a reference point after arriving in summer 2024 on a deal running to 2029.

His first campaign earned a France debut in June. He has stayed available while injuries, especially in defence, have thinned the squad.

Under Tudor, he started six times at right wing-back in a 3-4-2-1, saying in early October he could cross more, get into the box and attack with greater freedom as he chases completeness.

Manuel Locatelli and Kalulu lead Juventus for touches per 90 minutes and are most often sent to face the media. Kalulu, trilingual in French, Italian and English, favours a more direct tone. After the 1-1 draw in Florence on 22 November, he batted away comparisons between Spalletti and Tudor and the new staff already view him as serious, intelligent and approachable, a pleasant discovery.

He presents himself as a leader, arguing that sustained, full-throttle involvement earns team-mates’ trust. Spalletti has publicly highlighted his credibility and professionalism.

Source: L'Équipe