Juventus need a summer clear-out in the worst way

Juventus need to part ways with at least a handful of severely underperforming players this summer.

Over the last month, Juventus fans have seen this squad for all of its weaknesses. Embarrassing performances against Cagliari, Udinese, and Milan were just the tip of the iceberg, because even in games they “won”, such as the second leg of the Champions League against Lyon, they looked woeful.

Juve have been relying on the individual quality of a few key players to carry them, and that can no longer continue if they want to win the Champions League at any point in the next few years.

The Bianconeri need to make major changes this summer, and it starts with cutting ties with players who simply are not performing up to the standards of a Serie A champion or a Champions League trophy-winning candidate.

Per JuveFC.com, La Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting that the club is looking to “modernize” by basically saying out with the old guard and in with a new crop of stars. And that is indeed necessary for the Bianconeri.

The players Juventus must sell in 2020

Gonzalo Higuain is a subpar striker at this stage of his career, offering an inconsistent goal threat and less chance creation for the other forwards than advertised. He must be upgraded. Fellow forward Federico Bernardeschi has been even worse; he does not have the tactical ability or technical quality to play for a club like Juventus.

The midfield needs an entire overhaul. Aaron Ramsey is a bust of a signing and offers nothing to the club. Whereas Adrien Rabiot stepped up his performances when the team needed him, Ramsey fell off. If a Premier League side, for example, is willing to take Ramsey in a swap deal, Juve need to send him packing. He has no real future in Turin. Neither does Sami Khedira, but we know about his decline. There is no need to belabor the point or insult Khedira.

It gets more complicated on defense. Danilo has his issues with supporting the attack, but Juve are unlikely to find a better backup right back. Alex Sandro could possibly be upgraded, but it is better to keep him and sign a more attacking left back. If anyone should be sold, then it is Mattia De Sciglio, who is not a natural left back and is perhaps one of the most inept attacking fullbacks in all of Serie A.

Of course, Daniele Rugani is the defender Juve need to get rid of the most. Whenever he is on the pitch, Juventus allow more than two goals per game compared to less than a goal allowed per game when he is on. Rugani is the worst player on this team.

De Sciglio, Ramsey, Higuain, Khedira, Rugani, and Bernardeschi. Those six players clearly must leave. There are other players Juve should think about selling, such as injury-prone forward Douglas Costa, but those listed players absolutely need to be sold this summer.

It’s time for an overhaul in Turin. With Andrea Pirlo at the helm, the Bianconeri are prepared to make bold moves to chase the Champions League trophy, but before they can be bold, they must clear out space for their ambitions to become a reality.