After winning the Scudetto nine years in a row, Juventus have had to settle for back-to-back fourth-placed finishes over the the last two seasons.
With fierce rivals Inter and AC Milan both ending their 11-year wait to get their hands on the Scudetto, the Old Lady face a stern challenge retaining the title that they dominated over the last decade.
Massimiliano Allegri looks set to ring the changes this summer and with the legendary defender Giorgio Chiellini departing for America, the Bianconeri will embark on a new era without the Italian stalwart.
With the influential Paulo Dybala also leaving the Allianz Stadium this summer, TBR takes a took Juventus’ potential 2022-23 XI.
Juventus’ potential 2022-23 XI
Despite Chiellini leaving the Old Lady – the Juventus backline isn’t likely to look too dissimilar to last season.
Sky in Italy are reporting that Matthijs de Ligt is on Chelsea’s radar, but with his contract in Turin running until 2024 and the Blues likely having to trigger his £103m release clause to bring him to Stamford Bridge – the Italian giants will fancy their chances of retaining the services of Ajax’s youngest ever captain.
With Chiellini embarking on a new chapter and his good friend and long-term defensive partner Leonardo Bonucci, 35, also entering the twilight stages of his career, the 22-year-old De Ligt has the chance to establish himself as Juve’s defensive colossus in the years to come.
January signing Denis Zakaria will likely take up a more prominent role following his arrival from Gladbach and after having six months to acclimatise to the style of football in Italy, the Switzerland international could become a key part of Allegri’s side.
The 25-year-old could be joined by Premier League duo Paul Pogba and Jorginho in a three-man midfield.
With his contract at Manchester United expiring at the end of this month, the World Cup winner looks set to sign a four-year deal and join the Old Lady on a free transfer for the second time in his career.
Pogba thrived in Turin, during his first stint with the club, when he played on the left of a midfield partnership which saw him link up with the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio.
Being given the freedom to roam from the left of a midfield three could see Pogba produce his best form at club level once again.
With Juventus reportedly keen to sell Adrien Rabiot and Arthur Melo this summer, according to 90min, funds could be raised to step up a pursuit for Chelsea and Italy midfielder Jorginho.
According to CalcioMercato, Thomas Tuchel is happy to move the ball-playing midfielder on this summer and while the former Napoli man won’t be used in a deal that sees Merih Demiral move to Stamford Bridge, following the Turkey international’s permanent move to Atalanta – Jorginho could still head for Turin this summer.
Juventus are also keen to sign Angel di Maria on a free transfer following the Argentine’s departure from Paris Saint Germain with his contract expiring at the end of this month.
But with Barcelona also reportedly keen on the former Real Madrid man, Di Maria is stalling on his next move, but with Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon tipping Di Maria to have the same impact in Italy to that of Argentina legend Diego Maradona – the 34-year-old may decide on moving to Italy, a country he is yet to play in.
The former Manchester United midfielder could conjure up a star-studded forward line with Federico Chiesa, who is recovering from a serious knee injury and big-money Serbian signing Dusan Vlahovic, who will be looking to fire Allegri’s side to glory following his move from Fiorentina in January.