The 2016/17 transfer window has been one of the best Juventus has seen in a decade. Although the club wasn't able to sign Belgium international Axel Witsel from Zenit St. Petersburg on the final day of the transfer window.
But the Italian club still has a otl to show for, especially after losing players like the world class Paul Pogba and a striker in the form of Alvaro Morata.
The Italian giants have a solid wall of defence – probably the best backline in world football at the moment, and the Juventus management team set out at the start of the transfer window to add even more strength to their frontline and form a formidable force. Fabio Paratici and Guiseppe Marotta might not have been able to
Fabio Paratici and Guiseppe Marotta might not have been able to finalise the Axel Witsel deal but they will be having the last laugh when Witsel is out of contract at the end of next season and he arrives on a free transfer in the summer.
Let’s take a look at the players Juventus brought in during the transfer window.
#1 Medhi Benatia
Juventus fell short in central defence after the club released Uruguay’s Martin Caceres this year, making Medhi Benatia a concrete addition to the club’s already solid defensive wall. The 29-year-old was one of the best centre-backs in Italy when he played for teams like AS Roma and Udinese.
The Moroccan international will be an excellent addition to the club’s experienced backline of Bonucci, Barzagli, and Chiellini.
Although Benatia faced many issues with his fitness in the past, he will be looking to replace Barzagli, whose place in the team’s defence is the most vulnerable owing to his age. Benatia’s strength is his aerial ability and his almost perfect tackling skills, the player likes to push attack from defence and is calm with the ball.
But the only weakness that Benatia possesses is his lack of pace but considering his low loan fee of €3 million, Juventus got a good deal in place. If the player manages to keep his fitness levels, he will surely find success at the club.
#2 Marko Pjaca
The 21-year-old Croatian international made quite an impression at Euro 2016 earlier this year, and it is no wonder that many clubs in Europe were after his signature. In fact, at one point, the player seemed to be headed to Liverpool but Juventus struck a deal worth €23 million for the young Croatian – a club record for Dinamo Zagreb.
The young Croat is a huge fan of Ronaldinho and has skills similar to his idol; direct play, dribbling, and speed.
Pjaca is a versatile player capable, of playing on both the wings and likes to cut into the centre. He can also play as a striker or even an attacking midfielder, given his athleticism. The Croatian is also a proven goal scorer and a good dribbler of the ball and has a physical presence on the field.
The youngster is also a proven goal scorer and scored 12 goals in the last season. He does have a few shortcomings – his aerial ability and lack of concentration, being two issues.
There is absolutely no doubt in the fact that a player of his talent can go a long way with a club like Juventus.
#3 Dani Alves
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has made an absolutely brilliant signing in the form of Dani Alves. The ex-Barcelona right back made a move to the Italian giants from Barcelona, where he had won the treble in 2015.
The Brazilian right back will be hoping to bring the same kind of success to Juventus just as he did with Barcelona.
The Brazilian brings experience to the team as well as his technical ability and passing. The 33-year-old described by Lionel Messi as “The best right back in the world” can attack down the line and link up with the midfield.
Alves can be very effective in wide positions and can beat any man with his pace. Although Alves has been known to be suspect in the defensive side of the game, he has improved over time.
With his contributions in both defence and attack, Dani Alves will be looking forward to winning big with Juventus.
#4 Miralem Pjanic
Juventus have landed a finished product in the form of Miralem Pjanic.The Bosnia-Herzegovina midfielder has abilities to play as a box-to-box player or a deep lying midfielder. The club will be looking to him to take up the leadership responsibilities in midfield after the departure of Pogba.
Pjanic will be looking to build a lethal partnership with Dani Alves on the right in a 3-5-2 formation along with Sami Khedira and Claudio Marchisio. The 25-year-old midfielder who was signed for €32 million has tremendous ability to play balls into the final third and is also brilliant at set pieces.
The Juventus midfield might look incomplete with the departure of Paul Pogba to Manchester United but Juventus has enough depth in its squad to handle any given situation. The Italian club will be hoping to find football’s next Andrea Pirlo in Miralem Pjanic.
#5 Gonzalo Higuain
The football world went bonkers over the news of Juventus having paid €90 million for Argentina international striker Gonzalo Higuain.The Italian club did not hesitate to make the Argentinian the third most expensive signing in football history.
Higuain had his best campaign as a striker at Napoli last season as he scored 36 goals in 35 matches, breaking Serie A’s all-time goal scoring record. Many have questioned Juventus’ reasons for signing a 28-year old for such a big sum of money.
Although Juventus’ chances of winning the Champions League look better with the addition of Higuain, his inability to turn up in big games will be criticised, especially after the disastrous penalty miss he had with Argentina.
Juventus will only hope that the player will have a positive influence on the team's ambition.
