Juventus: A young player to know from each top 7 Serie A side
Juventus have a fine collection of youth in their ranks, especially after they signed Weston McKennie and Federico Chiesa on loan in the summer 2020 transfer window. But they are always on the look out for more great young talents within Serie A, having already signed the likes of Chiesa, Dejan Kulusevski, and Merih Demiral within the league in recent years.
Here is a young talent to know from each of the top seven sides in Serie A. They could be future Juventus players one day, but, more likely, they are players for Juventini to respect as rivals in the next few seasons.
Lazio CM Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
The 25-year-old Serbian center midfielder is one of the best midfielders in the entire world. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is one of the most difficult midfield players to deal with in Serie A, because he has a high degree of technical class in the final third but is also a willing and bruising defender.
Milinkovic-Savic is a lion-hearted leader for Lazio. He is difficult to dispossess and dangerous when it comes to creating chances. “SMS” has 10 goal contributions this season, with six of them being assists.
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Atalanta CB Cristian Romero
Cristian Romero is actually a Juventus player! The 22-year-old center back is on loan from Juve to Atalanta for this season after a failed loan to Genoa last year. But this loan deal contains an option to buy of 18 million euros (plus bonuses).
Based on what Romero has done for Atalanta, he will likely earn a permanent deal with the Bergamo side. He has been one of the league’s top center backs this season, averaging a ridiculous 2.3 tackles per game and 3.7 interceptions per game with 2.4 tackles per game and 4.8 interceptions per game in the Champions League, per WhoScored.com.
Romero’s breakout season at Atalanta has been a sight to behold, but it’s safe to say Juventus are plenty stacked at center back with five classy options in Danilo, Matthijs de Ligt, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, and Merih Demiral.
Napoli RW Hirving Lozano
Juventus managed to keep Hirving Lozano out of the goal in their loss to Napoli, but Lozano did threaten a few times, including on one cross that required a last-ditch header near the goal line from left back Alex Sandro.
The 25-year-old right winger has been an excellent replacement for Jose Callejon this season, as he’s been a breakout star for Napoli, posting his best season in Serie A. Lozano has nine goals and two assists in the league, and he and Lorenzo Insigne, the goal-scorer vs. Juve, have been quite the tandem down the flanks.
Juventus CB Matthijs de Ligt
I was tempted to go with a “swerve” and highlight underrated center midfielder Weston McKennie, who is on loan from Schalke, but it’s best to go with the best.
There isn’t a more talented young player in Serie A than Matthijs de Ligt. I am quite sure of it. There are great center backs in this league, but the 21-year-old Dutch defender is absolutely the best man at the position in the league.
His leadership, athleticism, and robustness in the tackle make him a titanic presence for the Bianconeri. You get the sense he’s still only scratched the surface on what he can achieve in Turin.
Roma CAM Lorenzo Pellegrini
Roma have a number of talented midfielders in their side, and Lorenzo Pellegrini has to rank among the league’s best overall based on the performances we have seen from him this season in an attacking role for the capital side.
According to WhoScored.com, Pellegrini has two key passes per game, 1.5 dribbles completed per game, and 1.4 fouls drawn per game. He’s even chipped in with 1.6 interceptions per game, providing defensive quality to Roma’s midfield.
Pellegrini is a classy player and someone Juventus know they have to account for every time they play against the Giallorossi.
Milan LB Theo Hernandez
The former league leaders, Milan boast one of the world’s best left backs in Theo Hernandez, who is another former Real Madrid player making a big difference as a wide playmaker for a Serie A title contender in the city of Milan.
Juventus did a great job of keeping Hernandez quiet, with full marks going to their own impressive youngster, Federico Chiesa. But shutting down Hernandez is a lot easier said than done, as Hernandez usually gets the better of the players matched up against him on the right-hand side.
Next. 3 Juventus players who must step up with Juan Cuadrado injured. dark
The Milan left back is averaging 2.2 dribbles completed per game and 1.5 key passes per match, adding 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game.
Inter RM Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi has been the definition of a game-changer for Inter Milan, and he has quickly become one of their best overall players. The chemistry he has with Romelu Lukaku has been exceptional to watch, and Hakimi has carried over his world-class form from the 2019-2020 season with Borussia Dortmund to the Nerazzurri.
The right-sided wide man has six goals and four assists this season. He could stand to improve defensively, but, by and large, the 22-year-old is having a great first season in Serie A.