Juventus Transfers: 5 things to know about Emil Audero

Juventus could be in the market for a new backup goalkeeper this summer. In fact, they could have a completely different-looking goalkeeper roster. Not only is it possible for the Bianconeri to replace Wojciech Szczesny with Milan youngster Gianluigi Donnarumma, but long-time Bianconero Gianluigi Buffon could retire or leave to a new challenge.

In the case of Buffon departing the Old Lady, Juventus reportedly have two players in mind. One of them is Mattia Perin, on loan at Genoa. The other is Emil Audero.

Let’s get to know Audero a little bit more. Here are five facts about the Sampdoria keeper.

Emil Audero got his start with Juventus

In 2008, Emil Audero joined Juventus as an 11-year-old, signing with the youth team. And nine years later, he made his debut – and only senior appearance – for the Bianconeri. Juve would win the match, 2-1, over Bologna.

So like Perrin, Audero has ties with the team. That has likely put him squarely on their radar.

Audero went for a significant price

The next season after his debut, Emil Audero was playing for Venezia in Serie B. He impressed enough to earn a bigger loan deal the following season, a one-year loan to Serie A side Sampdoria. And he played so well that Samp decided to buy him permanently.

How much did they pay for Audero? They activated the “option to buy” on his loan for 20 million euros. A lot has changed in the market since then, but Audero won’t be cheap if Sampdoria invested 20 million in him from Juve in the first place.

Where is Emil Audero from?

The 24-year-old Sampdoria keeper was born in 1997 in Mataram, Indonesia. His father is Indonesian and his mother is Italian, hailing from Cumiana, which is a “comune” in Turin. Although Audero can play for either the Indonesian or Italian national team, he has represented the youth teams in the Italian system since 2012 with 35 appearances across all levels.

How is he doing in the 2020-2021 season?

Emil Audero is having a very good season for Sampdoria, who are currently in ninth place in Serie A. He is 10th in the league in goals allowed per 90 minutes, according to FBRef.com, and is also 10th in the percentage of crosses he’s stopped.

Better yet, Audero is seventh in save percentage, stopping 72.5 percent of the shots he’s faced. Interestingly enough, he is just 0.1 percent behind Wojciech Szczesny of Juventus and actually ranks five spots ahead of the more highly regarded Donnarumma.

In terms of his playing style, only three goalkeepers have an average distance of defensive actions closer to their goal than Audero. One of those keepers? Perin.

What is his statistical trend?

The 2020-2021 season will go down as Audero’s best yet in Italy’s top flight. He is not getting many clean sheets due to Sampdoria’s issues, but he is saving more than 70 percent of his shots for the first time since he played for Venezia in Serie B. And he is also averaging 0.25 fewer goals per 90 minutes this season compared to last season.

His pass completion percentage and the length of his goal kicks have steadily risen each year with Sampdoria, while he is making fewer plays higher up the pitch, suggesting a more disciplined approach to his play.