Manuel Locatelli is Massimiliano Allegri’s first-choice summer target. The midfielder impressed for club and country last year. Juventus lost the Serie A title for the first time since 2012. Underwhelming performances in the midfield allowed the opponents to breeze past them. Perhaps, when your manager is one of history’s most decorated midfielder, you can succumb to the pressure. For the whole season?
Locatelli had a great season with Sassuolo playing 34 Serie A fixtures. The club finished exactly where they finished last season, 8th. Though primarily a defensive midfielder, Locatelli scored 4 times and grabbed 3 assists in the Serie A. After making his first appearance for Italy last season, he has gone on to feature 9 times scoring twice and grabbing an assist.
Juventus sacked Andrea Pirlo at the end of the season bringing in Allegri. Having worked with some of the best midfielders in the world and having an eye for talent, we can expect something special with this signing.
Juventus midfield with Locatelli
Juventus’ midfield has been inconsistent throughout last season. It cost them the Serie A title and a good run at the Champions’ League. It felt like the line-up was defence – ghosts – forwards. Thus it is not a surprise that Locatelli is the first-choice target. He can link-up well between the defence and the attack a task most midfielders in the role failed to do.
With the deal looking almost certain, it could mean a possible exit for the other midfielders. Aaron Ramsey is set to leave the club. Adrien Rabiot, Rodrigo Bentancur, Arthur Melo or Weston McKennie might leave the club as well unless they are in Allegri’s plans.
Allegri always wanted him
According to reports, Allegri wanted to sign Locatelli at Real Madrid had he been appointed as manager. Thus when was appointed at Juventus, he made this his first priority.
Locatelli can strengthen Juventus and get them back to Scudetto ways again. It’s an Allegri promise.
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