Juventus 2021/22 mid-season report card: Grading every player’s performance so far this season

Midfielders

Arthur Melo – D – Arthur’s summer surgery meant he was always playing catch-up in trying to impress the returning Allegri. The boss certainly hasn’t taken to the metronomic Brazilian and he’s played just 402 minutes so far. His first start of the campaign (vs Hellas Verona), was disastrous and since then, he’s been tidy and efficient but ultimately unspectacular and pretty ineffective.

Manuel Locatelli – B – While he’s been good, Locatelli hasn’t had the transformative effect that some predicted. Although, Allegri has something to do with that. Predictable build-up structures combined with the manager’s default ploy of blocking space and counter-attacking mean we haven’t been able to see the very best of the Italian for a sustained period. He can’t take control of games as we know he’s capable of. Still, his defensive grit has surprised some and he’s been brilliant on occasions.

Weston McKennie – B – McKennie’s season started really slowly and many supporters lamented his permanent arrival. This was a player who’d been out of sorts on and off the field for the best part of eight months. However, his revival ignited in October with goals against Sassuolo and Hellas Verona. Throughout November, he provided a spark in midfield that Juve so desperately lacked and he was key in the Bianconeri’s improvement. I love watching him play.

Rodrigo Bentancur – C+ – A mixed bag for Bentancur thus far. He’s arguably been Juve’s most impressive performer without the ball, and there was a period at the start of December where he looked mightily secure with possession in the double pivot. Overall, while his technical deficiencies can frustrate, I think the Uruguayan’s been unfairly criticised this season. He stood up in the big games early on before producing steady enough performances to close out 2021.

Aaron Ramsey – N/A – The perpetually injured Rambo has just 115 minutes to his name, and the majority of those came on Matchday 1 against Udinese.

Adrien Rabiot – D – Thankfully, Allegri’s lust for the greasy-haired Frenchman is starting to wane. The boss had an obsession with Rabiot at one point and it was costing the Bianconeri. He was nothing short of dreadful when utilised in the hybrid function of the 4-4-2, and he’s notched a meagre assist in 1,358 minutes of action. He’s produced better performances in the double pivot or as part of a midfield three.

Federico Bernardeschi – A- – A Federico Bernardeschi renaissance was the perfect Christmas present for some. The Italian was quite brilliant to round off 2021 and he concluded the calendar year by ending his over 500-day old drought before departing the Allianz Stadium to a standing ovation. He’s been Allegri’s utility man, with the manager using him in various functions in an array of systems. The former flamboyant winger has performed each task with the utmost diligence. More of the same in 2022, please.

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