With reports linking Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal away from the club this summer, the Italian Serie A side are looking into bringing in his replacement in the transfer market. The Chilean is a combative, industrious, fierce and physical central midfielder, and is a hard player to replace. However, AS Roma’s Radja Nainggolan certainly possesses some similarities with Vidal that could make him a worth replacement if the Chilean is sold this summer.
The Old Lady recently announced the signing of Sami Khedira, who has been brought in due to the impending exit of veteran Andrea Pirlo this summer. But Juve are desperate to keep Vidal, who has been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United ahead of the new season, and will only consider long-term target Nainggolan if the 28-year-old leaves.
Vidal is a key component in the midfield, and provides an all-round threat. He can offer protection to the defence, with his combative attributes seeing him averaging a tackle or interception every 18 minutes in the Serie A last season. He can retain possession, completing 85% of his passes per game, and boasts fantastic vision that has seen him create 37 chances. But Vidal also contributes goals, scoring and assisting 11 times in his 28 appearances.
Juventus would struggle to find another player who has such an influence on the side like Vidal, but they may be forced to enquire about Nainggolan if interest doesn’t wean this summer. The AS Roma man, 27, is incredibly talented, and would somewhat fill the void left by Vidal given his attributes in midfield. He’s industrious and very combative, meaning few opponents get the better of him in games, evident from the 51 fouls given away in the league last season.
But critiquing his aggressive style would be doing the Belgian a disservice, as his technical qualities certainly put him on par with Vidal. Nainggolan has created 36 chances, made 40 dribbles, while scoring and assisting seven goals. He operates in the same position as his Chilean compatriot, and made more than 80 tackles in the division. Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has a couple of tough decisions to make this summer, as his side could suffer next season if he doesn’t adequately replace the talent sold in the transfer window.
While neither side want to part with their respective fierce central midfielder, Nainggolan would be a good replacement for Vidal, and the lure of trophy success would certainly be enough to convince the Belgian to make the switch this summer.
