Why Manuel Locatelli’s Juventus future is in doubt | OneFootball

The future of Manuel Locatelli at Juventus is increasingly uncertain, with a January transfer now emerging as a dramatic possibility. The current turmoil is fueled by public criticism from manager Luciano Spalletti and a mixed reaction from fans following the midfielder’s recent substitution.

According to a report from CalcioMercato.com, Locatelli does not fit the profile of the regista that Spalletti ideally prefers, a tactical mismatch that has been a consistent theme under the current coach.

Spalletti’s Consistent Concerns

Spalletti’s tactical reservations about Locatelli pre-date his arrival on the Juventus bench, going back to his time as the Italy national team coach.

Speaking before the 2024 European Championships, where Locatelli was not called up, Spalletti stated: “Manuel has a good foot, exceptional defensive qualities, but perhaps he is a bit too conservative for where the role is going.”

This criticism was reaffirmed recently following the 2-1 defeat against Napoli. Analyzing the first half, Spalletti pointed out: “Locatelli dropped too deep and did not maintain his position. We got bogged down, without making the numerical superiority count in the middle.”

Spalletti’s preferred model for the central midfield role, typically a 4-3-3 regista, is a player who is more creative and forward-thinking, a profile historically filled by players like Marcelo Brozovic or Stanislav Lobotka in his previous teams.

Substitution and Transfer Market Possibility

The growing pressure on the captain was made public during the recent Champions League match won against Pafos, where Locatelli was substituted for Openda in the 60th minute. This change was met with whistles from a section of the Allianz Stadium crowd.

Despite being one of the most frequently used players this season (1,425 minutes in 20 appearances), the possibility of a January exit looms. Although both the player and the club rejected a €25 million offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli last summer, the scenario has changed.

Should a suitable offer arrive, particularly from the Premier League, and should Juventus have an opportunity to acquire a midfielder more aligned with Spalletti’s tactical demands, the club could decide to cash in. Locatelli’s sale represents one of the few avenues for Juventus to raise significant funds quickly to reshape the squad in the winter transfer window.

Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN