Juventus have a need at left back. Although Alex Sandro is still a quality player defensively and can put in an accurate cross, he is slowing down. And behind him, Juve do not have much depth. Gianluca Frabotta is their main backup left back, though they also switch Danilo to that side, even if it is not ideal for him.
Danilo and Juan Cuadrado have the right back position locked down, with the latter ranking as Serie A’s best at the position. But the left side is a problem spot for Juventus.
So here are three young left backs who could intrigue Juventus in the summer 2021 transfer window, should they decide to make a move. The Bianconeri have a need in the left midfield slot of their 4-4-2 under Andrea Pirlo, so an attacking-minded left back may be the club’s preference.
RB Leipzig LB Angeliño
The first name on the list is indeed an attacking-minded left back, to the point where he is really and truly a wing back.
Angeliño is one of the best wide men in the Bundesliga, having joined RB Leipzig last winter from Manchester City to great effect. His crosses are incredible, and he is a speedy player who is always looking to get up the pitch.
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So far this season, the 24-year-old Spanish international has four goals and four assists in the Bundesliga with three goals and three assists in the Champions League. Angeliño is averaging a goal contribution per game in European football and elevates his performances in the biggest matches. With 2.3 key passes per game in both competitions, per WhoScored.com, Angeliño could be a classy creator further up the pitch in front of Alex Sandro.
Leicester City LB James Justin
James Justin has been one of the breakout stars of the 2020-2021 Premier League season and a standout performer for the always-consistent Leicester City.
He has just two goals and one assist in the Premier League, but he’s started 23 games and has been solid defensively. Just 22, Justin is averaging a whopping 2.7 tackles per game and 1.7 fouls drawn per game.
If Juventus want attacking juice, someone like Angeliño makes more sense. But if they want to replace Alex Sandro with a younger, quicker left back who can be elite defensively, then Justin is a player to monitor closely.
Brest LB Romain Perraud
Brest are not a well-known club and currently rank 12th in Ligue 1, but they have a pair of impressive young players in Romain Faivre and Romain Perraud.
The latter of the two could be a very interesting player to Juventus. He has three goals and five assists this season in Ligue 1, showing the type of attacking involvement that could help the Bianconeri greatly. Perraud is a little bit younger and almost definitely cheaper than Angeliño, so that is something to consider when comparing these two potential options.
Defensively, Perraud has 1.8 tackles per game and 1.3 interceptions per game, and he is very much not a liability defensively. In fact, there will probably be no difference between Perraud and Sandro defensively as far as Juve is concerned.
Perraud is the kind of creator and threat in the final third who could be a real boost to Juventus’ attack over the course of several years. He is underrated, but Juventini should get to know his name before the summer transfer window opens.