Old Juve
Fansided

Juventus’ 2021/22 predicted XI after the summer transfer window

By James Cormack

TURIN, ITALY - AUGUST 28: Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri issues instructions to his players during the Serie A match between Juventus and Empoli FC at on August 28, 2021 in Turin, . (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - AUGUST 28: Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri issues instructions to his players during the Serie A match between Juventus and Empoli FC at on August 28, 2021 in Turin, . (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next

Midfielders

There could be a way into Allegri’s XI for Adrien Rabiot. (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images)
There could be a way into Allegri’s XI for Adrien Rabiot. (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

Manuel Locatelli (CM) – Summer arrival Locatelli will be the lynchpin in this 4-3-3: the regista. While more adept in the double pivot thanks to the master guidance of Roberto De Zerbi, Allegri’s ultimate plan is to develop the elegant Italian at the base of midfield. The 24-year-old certainly boasts the technical repertoire and defensive instincts to be a superb regista.

Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) – Bentancur will play as the right interior midfielder in this system. The role, as we saw in pre-season, gives him the licence to hassle opponents all over the park and kickstart swift transitions once possession’s been regained. It’s what the Uruguayan’s best at. However, if Allegri was to stick with the 4-4-2 for the foreseeable, expect Bentancur to partner Locatelli in the pivot where a similar ball-playing/ball-winning midfield dynamic would ensue.

Adrien Rabiot (CM) – The left interior spot was a tricky one. While Arthur Melo, and possibly Aaron Rasmey, would provide cover for Locatelli, Weston McKennie, Adrien Rabiot, Ramsey and Federico Bernardeschi are all competing for the final spot in this midfield. For a while, it looked like McKennie would be a shoo-in, but his off the field antics certainly haven’t helped his case. Thus, we’ve gone with Rabiot, who enjoyed a fine end to 2020/21. Despite failing to replicate Blaise Matuidi’s efficacy for the national team at the Euros, he nonetheless proved under Pirlo to play this function pretty effectively. Rabiot not only aids the build-up, but he’s also capable of receiving between the lines and making the odd burst in behind.