Why Juventus should reconsider their reported stance on Alex Sandro

Some of your heartbeats might have stopped for a moment when you noticed the headline. Though, it is not that elaborative. It is true, as per the very reliable Romeo Agresti (via Bianconeri Zone), that Juventus are not looking to replace Alex Sandro this summer. But, what the Italian journalist has also insisted is that the Old Lady could instead bring in a backup for the Brazilian.

Does it make any sense to you? If not, let us keep scrutinising the situation. After nine years of utter dominance in the domestic league, Juventus have finally fallen from the grace. They have seen their own long-standing crown being snatched from the top of the head by those in the black and blue.

Juventus fans, across social media, are proclaiming their belief in a potential comeback next season. However, they are also aware that the club needs alterations in several departments this summer. They need to gather bodies to replace those failing to put up consistent performances. If needed, the list includes the name of the manager. They need to offload those for whom the weight of the badge have begun to get heavier with each passing matchday.

Alex Sandro belongs to that group where players fail to perform at the very top level of their game for the Zebre. And consequently, everyone expected (and some still expect) an imminent departure of the full-back in this approaching transfer window. But it now seems unlikely, isn’t it? Again, do the rumour of Juventus potentially making a left-back singing without replacing Alex Sandro make any sense? We have some theories, and we would like to share them with you. And yes, it is about why Juventus are supposedly considering trying to keep hold of Alex Sandro.

If you oppose that and believe Juventus should get rid of the full-back. We have some theories for that too. Do make sure to check those out here. But, for now, let us stick to the plan and examine the circumstances based on the reports from Romeo Agresti.

Why Juventus don’t need to replace Alex Sandro

Alex Sandro, 30, has been a loyal servant to the Juventus football club since joining them in 2015. His tenure in northern Italy has engulfed both bright and dark days. He has been accused of being too inconsistent at times, but he has also played a massive number of games (228 so far, as per Transfermarkt) for Juve.

We recently noticed his importance to the Bianconeri in their Serie A game against Parma a few weeks back. He went on to score a brace, handing Juve a 3-1 win on the night. Take his goals out of the scoreline, and the Piedmontese side would have finished the game with only one point.

Fans want stability at the back and purpose while charging forward from him every week. At 30, he might have lost the capability of doing that on a regular basis. And it is the conundrum of that “might have” that Juventus would understandably like to explore with a backup signing this summer.

As per the reports, Juve don’t want to replace Alex Sandro, rather looking to challenge his strengths with a new backup signing, who would not be a threat for the Brazilian right away but would provide Alex Sandro with a reason, apparently keeping his place in the starting line-up, to push harder and perform better.

It might be the added challenge at the left-back spot that Alex Sandro is missing at the moment. And Juventus want to give him a chance to renew himself. People have become stronger when challenged, and history is the evidence.

Keeping Alex Sandro could mean no Robin Gonsens

Juventus have lost Scudetto to one of their nemeses after nine years. There have been talks of Giorgio Chiellini, Gianluigi Buffon, and Cristiano Ronaldo possibly hanging his boots or leaving the club for new adventures respectively. Should they part ways, Juventus might then moan at the loss of one or two leaders. A player, who has loads of experience in his bag and also is in his thirty, could prove to be beneficial in those circumstances.

In the end, it is worth keeping in mind that the transfer market is an embodiment of dynamism. Stories develop every day. So, there is nothing static.

Elevating Alex Sandro’s dormant skillset by challenging his existence within the squad seems to be Juve’s way of handling their left-back situation. If so, then Juventini should forget a big-money signing for the left-back berth like Robin Gosens, who will cost something around €40 million amid a pandemic-impacted transfer market.

Signing Gosens would mean hindering Sandro’s chances to restore himself. Henceforth, the new arrival would apparently be a cheaper option and more of a challenger than an out-and-out spot-taker.

Plus, Juventus have other priorities in the market, with renovating the midfield and attack topping the list. Therefore, the club management perhaps has chosen to keep faith in Alex Sandro for another season. Let’s now see how it pans out.