Three Imperative January Action for Juventus as Scudetto Race Heats Up -

Despite having an atypically quiet summer, Juventus have enjoyed an impressive 2023/24 Serie A season, emerging as the only credible Scudetto rival to Inter. Though Simone Inzaghi’s high-flying charges remain frontrunners in the title race, the record-time Italian champions are breathing down their necks.

Juventus kept Inter on their heels with a late 2-1 win at Frosinone on Saturday, reducing the gap to a single point before Nerazzurri eased past Lecce later in the day. As the campaign reaches the halfway stage, the title frame has already shaped up, leaving arch-rivals as the leading candidates to dethrone out-of-sorts holders Napoli.

Massimiliano Allegri has played down his title ambitions on several occasions this season. But knowing his proclivities for mind games, the ex-Milan coach has quickly taken to his role as the ‘outsider’ in this intense quest to finish at the top of the pile come May 2024.

Allegri wants his men to keep their feet firmly on the ground, though it’s hard to imagine he’s not harboring Scudetto hopes amid his side’s 12-match unbeaten league run (W9, D3). Saturday’s triumph at Stadio Benito Stirpe renewed Bianconeri’s lofty aspirations as Dusan Vlahovic returned to the scoresheet after a two-month hiatus.

Vlahovic’s potential return to form could be a season-defining factor for Juventus. They’ve notoriously struggled in front of goal this season, as witnessed by a measly attacking output of just 26 goals from 17 matches. By contrast, Allegri’s backline runs like clockwork, with only Inter (7) bettering Juve’s defensive record of 11 goals conceded.

However, Juventus can’t afford to sit out the January transfer window. With Paul Pogba and Nicolo Fagioli facing lengthy spells on the sidelines with suspension, Allegri must address the midfield crisis in the upcoming transfer session. And if he wants to bridge the gap on Inter, he’d be well-advised to open a checkbook to reinforce other areas.

Midfielder

Stand-in captain Adrien Rabiot and Italy international Manuel Locatelli have proved dependable midfield options this term. But Fabio Miretti’s fall from grace has often left Allegri strapped for alternatives. Pogba and Fagioli won’t rejoin the fold soon, while Juventus seem willing to set Samuel Iling-Junior free in January.

Tottenham stalwart Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be a decent option for the Turin powerhouse. With Spurs ready to negotiate the 28-year-old’s departure on favorable terms, provided they get a deal for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher over the line, Juventus could swoop in and take him to Italy in a cut-price deal.

But Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips is a more viable target. Keen to cut ties with Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side following a dreadful year-and-a-half spell at the Etihad, the England international is open to the prospect of joining Juventus.

Juan Cuadrado’s Heir

Juventus completed one piece of business in the summer. Timothy Weah swapped Lille for the Allianz Stadium as a potentially long-term replacement for ex-Bianconeri star Juan Cuadrado. Unfortunately, the USMNT forward’s adaptation to Serie A hasn’t gone to plan.

Weah’s torrid start to life at Juventus has forced Allegri’s hand. His international colleague Weston McKennie has left the heart of the midfield to move to the right flank. Though the 25-year-old fared reasonably well in his new role, landing someone more adept in this position won’t hurt.

Monza’s Andrea Colpani would be a perfect candidate. After a sensational start to the 2023/24 campaign, he has hit a barren run. And while Monza earmarked the Italian winger as a potential golden goose earlier this season, his downfall threatens to spoil their plans.

Juventus could broker Colpani’s arrival on their terms, potentially using Miretti as a makeweight to sweeten a deal. Monza displayed interest in the Bianconeri youth academy graduate last summer. Allegri refused to discuss the youngster’s sale then, but he might grant Adriano Galliani’s wish in January.

Striker

Vlahovic has never reached the promised heights in Turin. Despite being the club’s joint-leading goalscorer in Serie A this season, he hasn’t been the leader Allegri hoped to get when he sanctioned the Serbian’s mega-money arrival from Fiorentina in January 2022.

Then, there’s his experiment with Federico Chiesa as a support striker. The 26-year-old has shown glimpses of his unquestionable talent. But his inability to stay away from the treatment room has cast a large shadow on his promising on-field performances.

Arkadiusz Milik and Moise Kean have failed to impress, leaving prodigious teenager Kenan Yildiz as the only remaining center-forward option. The Turkish whizzkid had a dream debut for Juventus, opening the scoring in the abovementioned victory against Frosinone.

But it would be reckless from Allegri’s side to put the kid under such tremendous pressure for the rest of the season. While we won’t be making wild guesses in this post, landing a new striker this winter is a thought Juventus would be smart to consider.

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