Juventus: 5 players crucial to a last-ditch Serie A title push

CM Rodrigo Bentancur

In theory, Rodrigo Bentancur should be Juve’s best midfielder, since he has the experience and was a leading assist-provider for the Bianconeri last season. But in reality, Bentancur is a bit of a frustrating figure. He is not a bad player by any means and is actually the club’s best player at getting the ball into the final third. It is telling, however, that Bentancur has no goals, two assists, and is 12th on the team with 0.7 key passes per game, according to WhoScored.com.

Bentancur’s defense has never been called into question, but his ball-retention, chance-creation, and even overall dynamism have this season. The 23-year-old is being picked apart by Serie A observers outside of Turin. He must step up for Juve to blossom.

LM/RM Federico Chiesa

Federico Chiesa has been a revelation for the Bianconeri. Like Alvaro Morata, Chiesa has proven to be a gem of a loan signing by Fabio Paratici in the 2020 summer transfer market. The Fiorentina man has been an inspiration with his work rate both offensively and defensively, as he is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with the best wide men in Serie A, such as Milan’s Theo Hernandez.

Chiesa was in vintage form in that 3-1 win at the San Siro. The 23-year-old has scored five goals and three assists in the league this season, adding 1.8 dribbles per game, 1.5 key passes per game, and 1.4 fouls drawn per game for the Bianconeri. He just might be Juve’s most impressive young player this season.