Juventus needs to keep investing in youth this year

Juventus have picked up two new midfielders in Weston McKennie and Arthur Melo, but they can’t stop there.

It’s true that with Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad and a few other players nearing the ends of their careers like center backs Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, Juventus are in win-now mode. Their window to win a Champions League title with Ronaldo – we all know how much Gianluigi Buffon wants to win that elusive title – is narrow.

So it’s, therefore, unsurprising to see them target veteran names at the striker position to replace Gonzalo Higuain. Edin Dzeko, Luis Suarez, and Olivier Giroud are all known quantities who can offer more than Higuain. But an issue is that they will command high wages and won’t offer much in the form of long-term contributions. And if Suarez, for example, flops, then Juventus will be left holding the bag again.

That’s why it’s so important for Juventus to balance their transfer strategy. Yes, they need to win now, and they need known commodities who can immediately contribute to support Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala in their Champions League push. But is Suarez really a known commodity, as an example? Or is the risk with him just different, and even increased, from the risks of starting an unproven young striker?

The Juventini seem to be far more excited with the prospect of reuniting with Moise Kean, who is an exceptionally talented young striker. Kean scored a meager two goals for Everton last season, but before leaving Juventus, he scored six Serie A goals in 536 minutes. In basically triple the minutes, Higuain scored eight last season. Make of that as you will.

Juventus could still add more than Arthur Melo, Weston McKennie

Juve have made two major young additions to their struggling midfield. Weston McKennie is a high-energy, box-to-box midfielder who can play a more creative role in Turin if needed. Arthur Melo is even more energetic and athletic, as he is the future of both Juventus and the Brazilian national team in midfield.

But more could be done. Houssem Aouar would be a dream signing for Juventus in midfield. Robin Gosens could make all the difference in the world at wing back and give the team more dynamism down the flank in a 3-5-2 than the experienced Alex Sandro.

Juve do have a young core. Dybala is in his prime at the age of 26, which is young for a Serie A forward. Matthijs de Ligt and Merih Demiral are the next big stars in central defense. Dejan Kulusveski is one of the best up-and-coming players in Serie A and should really be starting for the Bianconeri in 2020-2021.

But Juve need to stay the course. Keep on prioritizing young players, because many of them can help win now and in the future. Signing 30-year-old players who are big names and command heavy contracts is a great way to stagnate and even sabotage future progress. One wrong move with Suarez or Dzeko, for example, and that’s another tough contract to dump. There needs to be a youth movement in Turin, even as the club’s brass feels the pressure to win with Ronaldo.