Massimiliano Allegri has unofficially named Manuel Locatelli as his fourth-choice captain for Juventus, as Danilo, Alex Sandro and Adrien Rabiot are all set to be unavailable for Saturday’s Serie A visit from Cagliari.
The Bianconeri coach informed reporters at his customary press conference on Friday morning that Locatelli would be given the armband on Saturday.
As Allegri put it, it is somewhat of a reward or special treat after signing a new long-term contract extension with the club earlier in the week.
Juventus’ current captain Danilo is ruled out through injury, as is vice-captain and compatriot Alex Sandro.
Rabiot, meanwhile, will serve a one-game suspension after picking up five yellow cards in his first 11 league matches of the season.
The Frenchman, who has been named in Didier Deschamps’s latest international squad, has not missed a minute of league action for Juve so far this season.
Reports from Calciomercato.com on Friday evening suggest that Locatelli will be joined by Weston McKennie and Fabio Miretti in Rabiot’s absence.