Timothy Weah was the only new signing in a slow summer for Juventus so Lorenzo Bettoni argues Federico Chiesa, Dusan Vlahovic and Massimiliano Allegri will have even more responsibility at the Allianz Stadium.
When Giuntoli was unveiled at a press conference in July, he admitted that pretty much all players could leave for a big offer, including stars Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa. Two of the fans’ idols were available on the market, but only if the Bianconeri had received a reasonable proposal. Juventus had recorded a loss of over €250m for 2021-22 and with holding company Exor unwilling to make cash injections until 2025, the only way to do business for the Bianconeri was to sell some of their best assets.
Giuntoli tried to exchange Vlahovic with Romelu Lukaku, but negotiations ended early as Chelsea refused to put €40m on top of the potential swap deal.
Read more – Club-by-club: Serie A summer transfer windows rated
The transfer didn’t happen, but this was not necessarily bad news for the black-and-white side of Turin. Surely not for Juventus fans, the majority of whom were against the signing of the Belgium international. Add to it that both Chiesa and Vlahovic have started the new campaign with two goals each in three games and that the Italy international finally seems back to his best after a tough season which saw him deal with physical issues and injury relapses.
Weah was the only new signing for Juventus’ first team last summer but it feels fair to say that the Old Lady’s most important additions in 2023-24 will be the ex-Fiorentina stars. Chiesa was never a regular starter in 2022-23 but has begun the new campaign on a high note and in a new role, which seems to be a permanent one at the Allianz Stadium. Vlahovic, was Juventus’ best scorer last season but his 14 goals in 42 appearances can’t really be seen as a satisfying result for a man who cost €80m barely 18 months ago.
Allegri has made no secret that he sees Chiesa as a centre forward and not as a winger, so the ex-Fiorentina star is now Vlahovic’s strike partner in a 3-5-2 formation. It remains to be seen if Chiesa sees himself as a centre forward or second striker given that he continued to play wide in his first three Serie A games this term. Nevertheless, Allegri’s tactics seem to be working as Juve have had a decent start with seven points in two games, also inspired by Chiesa’s two goals.
Some Juventus fans were surprised to see USMNT international Weah as the only new signing of the summer, but most know Giuntoli could not do much more with basically no budget available. Weah replaced Juan Cuadrado who left at the end of his contract to eventually join Inter on a free transfer.
Giuntoli had to balance competitiveness and sustainability. He cut the wage bill through some strong decisions, including freezing Leonardo Bonucci out of the team. To be fair, he followed Max Allegri’s advice as the coach had already informed the veteran defender in February that he was not in his plans for 2023-24.
Denis Zakaria joined Monaco in a permanent €20m transfer and a number of young players left on loan. Kaio Jorge, Enzo Barrenechea and Matias Soulé will get Serie A experience at Frosinone, Luca Pellegrini (not so young anymore) returned to Lazio, Arthur signed with Fiorentina and 20-year-old defender Facundo Gonzalez went to Sampdoria until the end of the season, weeks after his permanent transfer from Valencia.
It’s hard to give a verdict on Juventus’ transfer market. Weah is a fascinating addition, but is probably not at the same level as Cuadrado so, at least on paper, the starting XI is slightly weaker than last season. Angel Di Maria has also left but to be fair El Fideo’s contribution during his only season in Turin was not as solid as many expected. Juventus find themselves with a younger squad and with a lower wage bill, but Allegri is not wrong when he says fans and pundits must look elsewhere to see title favourites.
At the end of such a tricky summer, it is evident that Chiesa, Vlahovic and, of course, Max, will have even more responsibility this season. Financial issues did not allow Giuntoli to strengthen the team, so it’s up to Juventus stars and coach to take a step forward and keep the Bianconeri in the title race or, at least, earn a top-four finish which will always be the minimum target for the club with the most Serie A titles in Italian football.