Stay or Go? Deciding which players Juventus should keep & sell - summer 2021

Who stays and who goes?
Who stays and who goes? / Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
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Let's face it - despite winning two cup competitions and celebrating a top-four finish like they'd just won theSuper League, this has been a disastrous season for Juventus.

I Bianconeri have regressed terribly in recent years in terms of squad balance and talent, and those deficiencies have finally reared their ugly head. All it took was the appointment of a bright-eyed and wet-behind-the-ears coach.

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Andrea Pirlo was hoping to continue Massimiliano Allegri and Maurizio Sarri's good work, but that has absolutely not happened. In fairness though, this group of players is Juve's worst in a decade. So, how can they fix this?

Here's how Juventus' squad could look come the end of the summer transfer window.


Goalkeepers

Wojciech Szczesny
Number one... for now / BSR Agency/Getty Images

Gianluigi Buffon (GO) - The man himself has announced he's off, so let him go. He's a peacock, you've gotta let him fly!

Stefano Gori (LOAN) - He spent last season on loan at Pisa, so another year away from Turin would do Stefano Gori a world of good.

Mattia Perin (GO) - It seemed obvious as soon as Mattia Perin signed for Juve that he was never destined to become their first-choice shot-stopper. He's only 28 though, and boasts the talent of a top half of the table goalkeeper. Make some cash and sell him on.

Carlo Pinsoglio (STAY) - With Gianluigi Buffon departing for a second time, Juve need a proper third-choice keeper who's just happy to be there. No one is happier than Carlo Pinsoglio. The ultimate cheerleader.

Wojciech Szczesny (GO) - A huge shout. Wojciech Szczesny was the footballing equivalent of Prince Charles waiting for the throne, only Queen Buffon did actually hand him the crown. He's not been too convincing this season however, and with Gianluigi Donnarumma seemingly inbound, he's earning way too much to return to being a benchwarmer. Back to Arsenal?


Centre Backs

Leonardo Bonucci, Matthijs De Ligt
The defensive lads / Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Leonardo Bonucci (STAY) - To be honest, letting Leonardo Bonucci leave wouldn't be the worst idea. He's never quite been at the level he was prior to making that shock move to Milan, and if a Premier League club was stupid enough to offer big cash, they should take it and run. Not going to happen though.

Giorgio Chiellini (GO) - With his contract expiring, it looks as if Juve have decided to end their relationship with club legend Giorgio Chiellini. He's an absolute leader, a warrior and an example to all, but the time might be right. There's enough talent waiting in the wings to fill his boots.

Matthijs de Ligt (STAY) - If this guy is genuinely considering Barcelona as a better alternative than Juve, something must be going seriously wrong. Settle him down, and keep him happy. Matthijs de Ligt is the present and future of this defence.

Andrea Pirlo, Merih Demiral, Matthijs De Ligt
Demiral has a point to prove / Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Merih Demiral (STAY) - Really talented, but injury has halted his development. Give him a summer and he'll be well up to level.

Radu Dragusin (LOAN) - Young, impressive and ambitious. Get him out to learn his trade.

Daniele Rugani (GO) - Do you think Arsenal would still be willing to offer £30m for this flop? Not unfulfilled expectations, but unfair expectations.


Full Backs

Juan Cuadrado
Best of the lot / Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Juan Cuadrado (STAY) - One of the most consistent performers this season. No question about this one: keep. Next.

Danilo (STAY) - There is always space for a versatile player in the squad, and Danilo is just that. He's played right-back, centre-back, left-back and centre midfield this year alone. Useful.

Gianluca Frabotta (STAY) - He didn't have too many opportunities to show his class, but it might be worth keeping Gianluca Frabotta around for another season. A talent.

Mattia De Sciglio (GO) - I'm not sure how Mattia De Sciglio keeps landing these big moves, but I reckon he's got one more in him. I can just picture him getting torn apart in an Everton shirt next year.

Luca Pellegrini
Pellegrini spent last season on loan at Genoa / Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Luca Pellegrini (STAY) - Stay or loan? We've opted for stay. Luca Pellegrini is 22 now, and after another season of Serie A football, he must be itching to show Juve what he can do. What can he do? Let's find out.

Alex Sandro (GO) - I'm just gonna say it - Alex Sandro is not that good anymore. To think that Juve sold Leonardo Spinazzola and kept Sandro in their side...yikes. It's time for new blood on that flank, and to cash in on the Brazilian while they still can.

Wesley (LOAN) - An exciting prospect, but very raw. Go and discover the world, son.


Central Midfielders

FBL-ITA-SERIEA-BOLOGNA-JUVENTUS
Rabi-go / ANDREAS SOLARO/Getty Images

Rodrigo Bentancur (STAY) - We were all hoping this year would be Rodrigo Bentancur's real coming of age, but unfortunately, it never quite happened. Still, he's shown enough promise to hand him another crack at a starting spot.

Nicolo Fagioli (LOAN) - Nicky Beans! The boy is highly-rated, but he remains just that - a boy. He needs to cut his teeth elsewhere, so a loan away would be a good move for all.

Weston McKennie (STAY) - Juve exercised their option to sign Weston McKennie permanently in March, and what a good decision it was. An exciting prospect, and they got him for peanuts, too.

Arthur Melo (STAY) - I Bianconeri paid the big bucks for Arthur Melo last summer, and while he has impressed, he hasn't quite justified that price tag. Still, he's young, and there's plenty of talent there. Give him another chance, guys.

Aaron Ramsey
Not the man Juventus need / Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

Aaron Ramsey (GO) - Juve have often looked better with Aaron Ramsey in their midfield, but the odd niggling muscle injury has plagued his campaign once more. He ended the season on the bench, and realistically, I Bianconeri should look to move him on if possible.

Adrien Rabiot (GO) - I don't care if Adrien Rabiot has accidentally starting playing well in the past few weeks, he's been rubbish for two years. Sell him to Everton or Arsenal for £35m, and be grateful that he's not your problem anymore.


Attacking Midfielders/Wingers

Federico Chiesa
A star in the making / Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Federico Bernardeschi (GO) - Poor Federico Bernardeschi. He's just not up to scratch anymore - at least, not for Juventus. He has filled in at left-back, centre midfield and out wide this year, but he's very much a Federico of some trades, master of none. Cash in.

Federico Chiesa (STAY) - Build the team around this lad. Passionate, electrifyingly fast, tricky, and a natural fit for a winning Juve side. He will explode next year - watch this space.

Paulo Dybala (STAY) - Actually, build the team around this lad. Don't even think about selling Paulo Dybala. Strap a pen to his hand, and force him to sign a new contract. Then just treat him as he deserves to be treated.

Dejan Kulusevski (STAY) - A mercurial talent. Showed his class at Parma, but not so much last campaign with I Bianconeri. Could do with being played in the right position, mind.

Marko Pjaca (GO) - This fella is still a Juve player? Jeez. Surely someone will pay a few million to take him off their hands.


Strikers

Cristiano Ronaldo
Time to go / Danilo Di Giovanni/Getty Images

Felix Correia (LOAN) - This Portuguese sensation is tipped to become a top player in the future, but he's not at Juve's level just yet.

Alvaro Morata (STAY) - Are Juve going to buy Alvaro Morata outright? After paying a huge loan fee this year, it would make sense. Without him, they are left with very little firepower, too.

Cristiano Ronaldo (GO) - Sorry (not sorry) but it's time for Cristiano Ronaldo to leave. He's devouring a €31m-a-year chunk of their wage bill every season, and that money needs to be distributed around the squad far more evenly. He's good, but without elite teammates feeding him, he's not worth the money - and Juve can only afford one or the other.


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