5 important things that Juventus must do next season

#2 Find a long-term replacement for Gigi Buffon

Buffon has been a great asset but he will need to be replaced soon

Juventinos love and respect the brilliant and charming goalkeeper (so too does a large population of football enthusiasts from all over the world) but the time has come to determine whether his continued stay as the club’s number One is really in everyone’s best interests.

When a list of the best goalkeepers in the last 30 years is made, Buffon’s name will feature prominently but as with all things, Father Time seems to be catching up with the legend.

Heung Min-Son’s opener in Wednesday’s UCL tie was one that 3 years ago, Gigi would have caught with ease but he has begun letting in soft goals and is being bailed out by the quality of the defenders in front of him.

While he has not suddenly become a terrible goalie, his reflexes after making saves to stop rebounds, decision making on coming off the line to close down attackers and diving have become noticeably slower and more laboured.

Juve fans will always remember Gigi for all his fantastic performances since his goalkeeper-record transfer from Parma for €52m in 2001. His loyalty in going down with the club when they were relegated in the wake of the Calciopoli scandal in 2006 secured his legendary status at the club.

However, the club must begin to make moves to either replace him immediately or ease him out gradually.

There are doubts as to whether current number two, Wojciech Szczęsny has the ability to replace a legend like Buffon.

Given Juve’s long tradition of having a top Italian goalie (Dino Zoff, Angelo Peruzzi, Buffon and many more), an audacious move for the new Gigi: AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma would ensure that the club’s goalkeeping needs are met for the next decade.