With Thiago Motta adamant about the comings and goings when he was appointed Juventus head coach last June, he swiftly sent numerous players to other clubs.
The former Bologna boss got the boot in late March, replaced by no nonsense Tudor, but now there are four Juventus outcasts who will be back with the Turin titans ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Tiago Djalo, Facundo Gonzalez, Filip Kostic and Daniele Rugani are all back from their respective loans. It remains to be seen whether they are surplus to requirements at Juve.
The club faces a dilemma, either move them on or give them a chance to impress at the Club World Cup finals that kick off in mid-June.
Disastrous Djalo
Djalo returned to Turin having had his contract terminated with FC Porto before the end of the season, because of disciplinary problems.
The 25-year-old center-back was one of four Porto players disciplined for violating the club’s rules, by attending a team-mate’s birthday party on Easter Sunday until 4am the following day.
Djalo had previously angered Porto after he travelled to Madrid for a New Year’s Eve celebration, despite reporting for the morning training session on 1 January.
He made a switch from Juve on the final day of the summer transfer window, with the loan not featuring an option to purchase.
There was initial excitement at Porto, because he was given the famous no3 jersey previously worn at the club by legendary Portugal ace Pepe. Yet he made little impact in the Primeira Liga, with just six starts and two substitute appearances.
There had been serious talk during the winter transfer window that Djalo would cut short his loan spell at Porto, in order to make a move to Crystal Palace. His potential suitors comprise Palace and Serie A sides AS Roma, Genoa and Inter Milan should Juve decide to sell.
As Djalo has yet only featured twice for Juventus, an unused substitute in last year’s Coppa Italia final and a 16-minute cameo role against Monza, then Tudor may opt to give him a chance and take the former Lille star to the Club World Cup.
Geared up Gonzalez
Gonzalez, who signed a three-year deal with Juventus in August 2023, has never played a competitive match for the Bianconeri but could get an opportunity soon.
The 21-year-old Uruguayan was soon shipped off to Serie B side Sampdoria on a season-long loan after joining Juve, and was involved in 29 matches. His last campaign, in the Dutch Eredivisie with Feyenoord, was less successful with just six top-flight appearances.
Feyenoord turned down the option to buy him. As his match fitness and sharpness will not be up to scratch, should Tudor take him to the Club World Cup then he’s likely to play a bit part. Bologna, Hellas Verona and Udinese are monitoring Gonzalez’s situation.
Juve had targeted Feyenoord’s much in-demand center-back David Hancko as an outright buy or with a deal involving Gonzalez when Motta was in charge, but that idea altered when Tudor took over. Hancko is currently chewing over a lucrative five-year contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.
Keen Kostic
Kostic, who has played over 60 matches for Juventus since signing for the club in September 2022, has spent the season on loan at Fenerbahce.
Versatile on the left flank as a midfielder, winger or wing-back, Kostic has made 25 Turkish Super Lig under head coach Jose Mourinho. However, he will part ways with Fenerbahce when their season ends on 1 June as they have decided not to exercise the purchase option for the Serbian 32-year-old.
Kostic, who is attracting attention from Parma, could prove useful for the Bianconeri next term as the club are actively seeking another left winger.
Ready Rugani
Rugani has returned to Juve from his loan in the Dutch Eredivisie with Ajax. He played in 15 Dutch top tier games, but was an unused substitute on 13 occasions.
Despite having made 17 Serie A appearances during the 2023/24 campaign when Max Allegri was manager, Rugani was surprisingly sent out on a season-long loan last August, with no option to buy.
Rugani, who joined Juventus’ youth academy from Napoli in 2012 for a €150,000 (US$169,000) fee, has a contract with the Bianconeri until the end of next season.
A starring role at the Club World Cup appears to be on the cards for the former Italy international center-back, if he can impress Tudor during training.