Does Moise Kean have a future at Juventus?

Moise Kean’s “homecoming”, as it was described by the club upon his return last summer, hasn’t quite been as memorable as the Kanye West track.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning departure after the 2021/22 Serie A season had already gotten underway sent the Bianconeri into panic mode. With such little time of the summer transfer window remaining and the availability of star players capable of coming close, let alone matching, Ronaldo’s staggering output in Turin non-existent, Juve opted to reunite with Kean in a feel-good move.

In his first spell with the Old Lady, the then-teenage forward became the first player born in the 21st century to play in Serie A and the second-youngest Juventus scorer in the club’s history. Kean had impressed Massimiliano Allegri, but the club opted to part ways with the Italian in 2019 as Everton came in with a £25m bid that didn’t feel too extortionate at the time.

And while his spell on Merseyside, which technically isn’t over, was pretty disastrous, Kean rediscovered his best form out on loan in the French capital at Paris Saint-Germain last season. That player, the one who scored 13 times in Ligue 1, was whom Juventini thought would be leading their line in 2021/22.

But it simply hasn’t worked.

Does Moise Kean have a future at Juventus following his winner at Sassuolo?

Alvaro Morata’s mental fragility and inability to serve as the protagonist combined with Kean’s infuriating lack of basic technique forced the Juventus hierarchy into action in January as €75+ was splurged to bring in their number nine for the next decade, Dusan Vlahovic.

Since Vlahovic’s arrival, the already peripheral Kean has been thrust deeper into the abyss. He’s played just 202 minutes across 11 games after the Serb forced a grateful Morata into a secondary role.

The 22-year-old has understandably not been trusted to start regularly for Allegri this season, but the manager’s utilised the forward in almost every game he’s been available for. Only once has Kean been an unused substitute, so the boss must trust him a tad, at least.

And that ounce of trust paid dividends on Monday night as the Italian scored a late winner off the bench to hand Juventus all three points away at Sassuolo. His effort, which arrived three minutes from time, was expertly crafted and fiercely struck. But will it be enough to rejuvenate his stagnant Bianconeri career?

Reports on Tuesday suggest that it won’t. Sky Italy (via @JuveFC) understand that the striker will still leave Juventus this summer despite his heroics at the Mapei. However, his projected exit will be pretty complicated.

Juve signed Kean on a two-year loan from Everton last summer with a €28m option to buy. So, the Bianconeri don’t actually own the forward and any sale will have to be orchestrated by the Premier League club.

Nevertheless, what’s clear is that the 22-year-old doesn’t appear to have a future at Juventus. And while I believe he’s often been misused by Allegri this season, in terms of his function, it’s hard to envisage Kean ever emerging as a star under the current boss.

Thus, it’s probably best for the Italian international to move on from Turin for the second time in a bid to develop and progress.