It has been a period of upheaval behind the scenes at Juventus ahead of the 2019-20 Serie A season, with the defending champions preparing for life after Max Allegri.
Former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri has replaced Allegri in Turin, with big shoes to fill, as Juventus chase a ninth successive league title in 2020.
Sarri’s ties with arch rivals Napoli mean that he will already be starting with something to prove at the Biaconeri, with some sections of the fan base unhappy at his appointment.
Alongside Sarri’s move from Chelsea, Juventus have another former Premier League name in their ranks for the new season – in the form of Welsh international Aaron Ramsey.
The 28-year old play maker confirmed his move to Italy in the final few weeks of the season, after declining an extension at the Emirates Stadium – and his signing continues Juventus’ strong recent policy of recruiting big name players at the end of their contracts.
Ramsey has matured into one of Europe’s leading attacking in his final 12 months at Arsenal, and his arrival is being mooted as the one to push Sarri’s side on a level.
Despite having a solid defensive base of Giorgini Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, an a consistency potent attacking trip of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado, there is sense that there are still lacking a player to knit them together.
Bosnian international Miralem Pjanic has been excellent since his arrival from AS Roma in 2016, but he does not have the same goal threat as Ramsey.
Alongside Pjanic in the Juventus engine room, is Blaise Matuidi and Rodrigo Bentacur, with Sami Khedira and Moise Kean options as rotations.
German international Khedira has been linked with an exit, and it could be Bentacur that is sacrificed to accommodate Ramsey.
With mixed reviews from his time at Stamford Bridge, Sarri is likely to try and replicate the formula he imposed at Napoli, which relies on a very specific formula.
With Jorginho as the traditional base, Allan was essentially used as a sweeper in front him, to allow the Italian international to break lines in midfield with his passes from deep.
Pjanic is likely to take on the Jorginho ‘role’, with Matuidi provided the energy and defensive support needed, leaving Ramsey with as freer ‘No. 10′ role, in behind Ronaldo.
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