Juventus: Old Juve’s May 2021 Player of the Month
Federico Chiesa’s relationship with Old Juve’s Player of the Month award bears a similar relationship to Juventus and Serie A throughout the 2010s.
Dominance. Monopoly.
The electric Italian’s stellar second half to the 2020/21 campaign has seen him take home three consecutive POTM awards between February and April.
However, with the hamstring injury sustained in April’s 1-1 draw at Fiorentina inhibiting Chiesa’s form at the start of May, we – finally – have a new victor!
Despite falling to a 3-0 humiliation at the hands of AC Milan, May proved a wildly prosperous one for Andrea Pirlo and the Bianconeri in the context of a tumultuous season. The character on display following their Rossoneri humbling proved pivotal in securing a top-four finish and Coppa Italia glory.
But who was the leading man in Juve’s fine end to the season? Let’s find out.
3rd – Dejan Kulusevski (Average Rating – 6.75)
A first-time entrant into the top three. Dejan Kulusevski’s debut season offered fleeting sequences of magic amid general indifference.
However, the Swede rounded off the campaign in some style with a virtuoso display in the Coppa Italia final against Atalanta – opening the scoring with a superb strike – before enjoying an ebullient outing in the season finale at Bologna.
The dynamic Kulusevski’s talent is distinct with his skill set bound to entertain the masses once he settles in Turin. It’ll be Massimiliano Allegri’s task to maximise his potential and discover his optimal role.
2nd – Juan Cuadrado (Average Rating – 6.9)
A brilliant end to the month has seen the Colombian claim second spot in this month’s award. After enduring a quiet outing in Udine and failing to disgrace himself in the Milan defeat, Cuadrado missed Juve’s 3-1 triumph over Sassuolo. The Colombian returned in some style against Inter, though; putting the side on his back to carry them to an imperative 3-2 triumph with a detrimental draw seemingly destined.
The Coppa Italia final saw Cuadrado excel from a defensive perspective; performing diligently against the idiosyncratic Atalanta. His season concluded with a characteristically steady display in the Bologna rout as he averaged a rating just shy of 7.0 from his five starts in May.
1st – Adrien Rabiot (Average Rating – 7.0)
Say what now?! That guy? Seriously?!
Building on a fine April which saw the Frenchman finish second in that month’s award, Adrien Rabiot has gone one better this time around. He’s our Player of the Month for May 2021.
While his season beforehand had been entrenched in inconsistency, Rabiot enjoyed a run of games in Pirlo’s midfield pivot and finally started to manifest his obvious talent as the season drew to a close.
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The languid midfielder notched a goal and an assist in the Sassuolo victory before scoring again in the Bologna win. In between those contributions came a steady showing against Inter and an excellent performance in the Coppa Italia final – a game that showed off his well-rounded midfield profile.
Rabiot’s impressive end to 2020/21 may convince the hierarchy to keep him on their books beyond the summer. He may benefit massively from further midfield investment and playing alongside a superiorly gifted partner.
Très bien, Adrien!