Lloyd Kelly makes swift debut for Juventus after Newcastle United exit | OneFootball

Lloyd Kelly completed his move to Juventus on Monday.

The versatile defender the big story of Newcastle United’s transfer window, leaving in a deal which could eventually net NUFC around £20m.

Friday night saw Juventus play away at Como in Serie A.

Lloyd Kelly included in the matchday squad.

Ahead of the match, Lloyd Kelly spoke to Juventus TV:

“It’s a quick transition.

“I just want to adapt to the football, to the playing style, to the way he [Head Coach Thiago Motta] wants to play, the way he wants his players to play for this club.

“There will be many conversations to have.

“I’m excited.

“It’s going to be different and I’m going to have to adapt quickly, but I’m looking forward to the challenge, it’s something I’ll put my heart into.

“I’m sure we will be able to strive for good things for my time here.”

Lloyd Kelly started Friday night’s match on the bench, watching on as Kolo Muani produced a great run and finish to give Juventus a 34th minutes lead.

However, Como got a deserved equaliser just on the stroke of half-time.

Thiago Motta then introduced former NUFC defender Lloyd Kelly for his debut as a left-back after the break, Nicolo Savona withdrawn after having been yellow carded in the opening period.

Como the better team and Strefezza took on Kelly and was grateful when Juventus keeper Di Gregorio’s dealt with the dangerous effort on goal.

The match became a game of two penalty decisions, as Como were denied one despite a VAR review which showed the ball did faintly graze the hand of a defender. Then with only a minute to go, Kolo Muani put away his second goal and the winner for Juventus when they were awarded a penalty.

There was still time for Como to hit the bar, but on debut Lloyd Kelly helped Juventus pick up an undeserved three points that leaves them fourth in Serie A.

Now the whoscored have published their automated player ratings for this Como 1 Juventus 2 match:

As you can see, Lloyd Kelly with a rating of 6.3, the second highest of the five subs (the Whoscored display can only show four subs at any one time, Luiz got a rating of 6.2).

A solid enough first appearance for Juventus and most important of all, a big three points that puts them, as things stand, in a Champions League qualifying position.