Juventus cannot keep playing Federico Bernardeschi

Juventus winger Federico Bernardeschi has become such a huge liability that he is entering Sami Khedira territory.

Despite Juventus being in fifth place and four points behind league-leaders Milan at the November international break, all has not been negative for the Bianconeri. Cristiano Ronaldo has been scoring goals at a rapid-fire pace when healthy, the new midfielders are looking good, and Danilo has been a pleasant surprise at center back.

Andrea Pirlo is still figuring things out, but new additions like Federico Chiesa and Alvaro Morata look like game-changers for the Bianoconeri in their pursuit of Champions League glory.

Unfortunately, though, Juve have a few players who are underperforming badly. Center back Leonardo Bonucci is a player to criticize for another day, and Paulo Dybala is also feeling the pressure. But the poorest performer on Juventus this season has been Federico Bernardeschi.

This season, Bernardeschi has made three appearances in 82 minutes. He’s had one start, but he’s never played the full 90 regardless. But even when he comes off the bench, he’s still capable of making a dreadful mistake, which happened in the 1-1 draw with Verona.

Bernardeschi was one of Juve’s worst players last season, too, especially during the summer when he offered close to zero goal-scoring threat. Frequently called offside and sloppy with his passing, Bernardeschi has been an annoyance for Juventini.

Yet over the November international break, Bernardeschi scored for Italy. And he’s had success in Serie A before joining Juve. Bernardeschi is a great, agile athlete who looks the part, but he’s completely lacking when on the ball.

The truth is that Bernardeschi isn’t a Juventus-quality player. And right now, it seems like everyone who pays attention to the Old Lady knows it. The 26-year-old is entering the prime of his career and could be a good player for another team in Serie A, but it’s just not going to happen for him at Juventus when looking at his lack of technical ability.

Juve and Pirlo need great technicians. It’s not enough to be strong or quick – and even Bernardeschi’s speed is being called into question this season. A player at Juventus has to be able to keep the ball under pressure, take good shots, and make difficult passes in tight areas. Bernardeschi does none of that.

He has no key passes this season with no dribbles completed and one foul drawn against Verona. So basically, in around 90 minutes of action, he’s done nothing offensively for Juventus. He hasn’t even made a tackle or interception defensively either.

Bernardeschi has been exposed in 2020 as someone who cannot play meaningful minutes for Juventus. The club is too prestigious and ambitious to start someone who can’t score, can’t assist, can’t beat a man on the ball, and can’t keep possession for his team.

Before the season started, there was hope that Bernardeschi could be a left wing back and that a change would help the former Fiorentina man find his form. But the evidence is clear. Why would anyone start Bernardeschi at left wing back over Federico Chiesa, Alex Sandro, Gianluca Frabotta, or even Dejan Kulusevski?

There are so many better options than Bernardeschi. His poor performances have slid him so far down the pecking order that he is in Sami Khedira territory. Basically, Juve would like to have him one foot out the door and would be better off never playing him again if possible. These words are harsh, but Bernardeschi would be a better fit and would have more success with a smaller club.