Analysing the Juventus summer rebuild

After a decade of dominance, Juventus have finished fourth in back-to-back Serie A seasons and they have started their summer overhaul ahead of next season.

We’ve looked into the players that have left and come in so far and analysed how long it might take Juve to get back on top in Italy.  

 

How last season went for Juventus 

Once again Juventus struggled for consistency as they fell to a disappointing fourth-placed finish for the second season in a row. 

They conceded 37 goals throughout their campaign, which was more than the three sides who finished above them. 

Perhaps the biggest cause for concern, though, was their lack of firepower in the final third. 

They finished the season having scored just 57 goals, which ranked them in the bottom half of the table for goals scored. 

Scoring an average of 1.5 goals per game falls way short of what they will need to be scoring if they are to reclaim their title. 

Juve averaged a disappointing xG of 1.36 per 90, which they actually managed to slightly overperform.  

This would indicate that their problem was with creating chances and not necessarily putting them away. 

 

The departing players 

Arguably the biggest loss from last season will be Paulo Dybala who finished as their top goalscorer last season with 10 goals. 

After a long drawn-out contract negotiation, nothing could be agreed and the Argentine instead opted for a move to their rivals Inter.

Dybala was one of the main creative and penetrative threats last season as he averaged 1.3 key passes and 3.4 shots per game. 

If Juventus are to be successful next season, they will need to replace the goal threat they have lost in Dybala. 

Veteran Giorgio Chiellini has also left the club after 17 years with the club.  

While Chiellini was no longer at the peak of his powers, he still played 1354 minutes of Serie A football last season, which made him their 13th most used player. 

Álvaro Morata has also departed upon his loan expiring with the club and Federico Bernardeschi has been released.  

 

Who they’ve signed so far 

One of the biggest profile stars was on the move this summer and Juventus managed to land a deal for free agent Paul Pogba, six years after he had left for Manchester United. 

Massimiliano Allegri will look toward Paul Pogba to solve their lack of creativity in the middle of the pitch. 

In just 1355 minutes of Premier League football, last season Pogba managed to produce nine assists, which was more than any Juventus player. 

Pogba also averaged 2 dribbles, 1.6 shots and 1.2 key passes per game for United and he will be a welcome addition back into the Juventus midfield.  

Angel Di Maria has also signed for Juventus next season and he could be just what they are after on the right-hand side. 

Even at the age of 34, Di Maria still has plenty to give and he could turn out to be a perfect Dybala replacement on a free transfer.  

Despite only starting 19 league matches for PSG last season, Di Maria was their third most creative player behind Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.  

The Argentinian winger produced seven assists and averaged 2.1 key passes per game. 

For context, last season Juan Cuadrado was Juventus’ most creative outlet with 1.8 key passes per game and so Di Maria would be a welcomed addition on the right-hand side. 

There’s also the thought that Dusan Vlahovic will improve in his first full season with Juventus, with more creative players to provide chances for him. 

Last season Vlahovic scored 24 league goals, with seven of those scored for Juventus.