Tardelli: Injuries ‘a real blow’ for Juventus, the transfer market ‘hasn’t helped’ Spalletti | OneFootball

Juventus and Italy legend Marco Tardelli admits the number of injuries suffered by Juventus stars is ‘a real blow’ for the Bianconeri and feels the club’s transfer activity over the summer ‘hasn’t helped’ Luciano Spalletti.

Juventus will be forced to cope without their captain Manuel Locatelli for several months, perhaps up to six, after the Italy international underwent meniscus surgery on Tuesday.

“It’s certainly a real blow for the club, especially as it comes on top of Yildiz’s absence, but you have to accept it: either you have a very large squad where you can find a suitable replacement, or you have to accept the misfortune and move on,” Tardelli told Gazzetta.

TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 06: Manuel Locatelli of Juventus is challenged by Luka Modric of Milan during the Serie A match between Juventus and AC Milan at Allianz Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“The armband passes from one arm to another, and that’s fine. The problem is that Locatelli is an important player, and it’s crucial that he is replaced by another important player, one with Locatelli’s personality.

“Of course, it’s not easy, but they have to find one. In a squad like Juventus’, there should be someone.”

Injuries are piling up at the Allianz Stadium as Kenan Yildiz and Khephren Thuram already underwent surgery for different reasons last week, while Andrea Cambiaso, Jeff Ekhator, Weston McKennie, Juan Cabal and Jeremie Boga are dealing with muscle problems.

“Sometimes team morale suffers, but it must also be said that you can find energy precisely in adversity and in difficult moments; energy you perhaps didn’t think you had,” Tardelli added.

ROME, ITALY – JUNE 17: The Italian former player ‘Azzurri Legends’ Marco Tardelli attends a interview during ‘Casa Azzurri’ at pratibus district on June 17, 2021 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Locatelli and Thuram were meant to be Juventus’ starters in central midfield this season, but they are set to remain out of action for several months, with Thuram not expected to be back until January 2027.

​”It’s a big, big problem. Juventus could return to the market looking for a free agent because, by now, only those without a contract can join, but in general, they need to find someone who can replace them with good, or rather excellent, quality,” Tardelli noted.

“And, as I said, it’s not easy, but sometimes in football, there are surprises.”

So, who could Spalletti rely on?

“McKennie, first and foremost, is definitely someone who, over the years, has shown at Juventus that he can do many things and is very reliable,” Tardelli replied.

“Then there’s Koopmeiners: he hasn’t delivered what everyone expected until now, and only recently has he managed to do something, but he’s a player I really like.”

TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 06: Luka Modric of Milan is challenged by Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus and AC Milan at Allianz Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Koopmeiners has made three substitute appearances so far, but has arguably had a good impact, scoring one goal and providing one assist in 41 minutes played.

How will Spalletti react to the ongoing injury crisis?

“In my opinion, he’ll motivate the squad as he always has in the past,” concluded Tardelli.

“Spalletti is a unique coach, very good in my opinion. But you have to understand him, because with him, you can give a lot if you follow him, which isn’t a given. The transfer market certainly hasn’t helped him.”