Juventus Needs Major Reinforcements, Says Former Sporting Director

Spalletti’s Challenge at Juventus

Luciano Spalletti recently took over as head coach of Juventus following the departure of Igor Tudor. His appointment has sparked discussions about the team’s current capabilities and necessary improvements.

Concerns about Squad Quality

Pierpaolo Marino, the former sporting director of Napoli and Atalanta, expressed his concerns about Juventus’ roster. In an interview with TMW, he highlighted the lack of standout players in the squad, stating, “This is a team lacking true champions. They are not equipped to win, and the transfer market lacked foresight.”

Long-Standing Issues in the Squad

Marino pointed out that the issues extend beyond the recent transfer window, particularly in the attacking line. He noted that the club is looking at re-evaluating Dusan Vlahovic’s role, suggesting he still needs to develop the experience required to be a consistent goal scorer, capable of netting 20-25 goals per season.

“There is ample room for improvement across the board,” he added, mentioning players like Randal Kolo Muani as potential assets. Although he believes the competition for a top-four finish is achievable, he emphasized that rivals such as Napoli, Inter, and Milan possess an extra edge in their squads.

Recommendations for the January Transfer Window

When discussing possible moves in the upcoming January transfer window, Marino suggested, “Ideally, Juventus should seek a leader for each position, including the forward line.” He expressed skepticism about relying solely on Vlahovic’s resurgence, suggesting that for Juventus, that chapter may be closing.

“January is typically a difficult month for acquiring top talent, but Juventus has a significant disparity compared to other leading clubs,” he said, citing Inter’s ability to field strong reserves like Ange-Yoan Bonny and Francesco Pio Esposito as an example of their depth.