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Legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who has made 476 appearances for Juventus, has won everything there is to win with his club and country including 4 Serie A titles, 4 Italian Supercups and 1 Champions League medal with the Old Lady along with lifting the World Cup with Italy in 2006.Replacing a player like him is never going to be an easy task. However some promising young shot stoppers in Europe are proving that they are capable of filling the Italians massive gloves. Here is a list of 5 potential replacements for Gigi Buffon.
#1 Nicola Leali
When the dreaded time comes and Buffon retires Juventus have a potential replacement for the legend in their own academy. Leali was made first choice keeper of his former club Brescia Calcio when he was just 18 but displayed experience that defied his tender age.
Juventus spotted his remarkable talent and made a move for him in 2012. The 21-year-old is currently on loan with Spezia Calcio where he has managed to keep 7 clean sheets in 29 appearances and has been on the winning side 11 times.
Leali has already been capped at youth levels and is considered as Italy’s future No.1. The youngster will surely be called back to Juve next season to gain more experience so that he’ll be ready when called to replace Buffon.
#2 Simone Scuffet
The teenage goalkeeping sensation is one of the most highly rated Serie A players this season. Scuffet is just 17 but has put in some age defying performances this season. The Udinese youngster has kept an amazing 6 clean sheets in 11 games including clean sheets against both the Milan clubs.
Scuffet is commanding in the penalty area and possesses superb reflexes along with brilliant shot stopping abilities which will surely get better with time. The Italy youth international has stated that he idolizes Buffon and it will be a dream come true if Scuffet follows the path of his hero and starts for Juventus one day. If he keeps playing the way he is right now he is sure to be Italy’s first choice keeper in the future.
#3 Marc Andre ter Stegen
The young German is one of the most promising goalkeepers in Europe right now and has what it takes to replace Buffon at Juventus. Ter Stegen has already made 118 appearances for his boyhood club Borussia Monchengladbach at just 21 along with being called up to the German national team thrice.
The highlight of the youngster’s career came last year with the national team when he saved a Lionel Messi penalty in a 3-1 loss to Argentina.
The German was set to replace Victor Valdes at Barcelona next season but the move was frozen after the Catalan club were banned from conducting transfers for two years by FIFA due to violation of transfer rules regarding players under the age of 18. Now that Barca are temporary out of the picture Juventus could make their move now and secure ter Stegen’s services.
#4 Thibaut Courtois
The Belgian stopper is having a stellar season at temporary club Atletico Madrid and is destined to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Courtois, who has a contract with Chelsea, is already Belgium’s first choice keeper at just 21 and will start for his country in the World Cup this year.
The youngster broke numerous records last season like going 820 minutes without conceding a goal, receiving the Man of the Match award when Atletico beat Real Madrid in the Copa Del Ray final last year and picking up the LFP Goalkeeper of the Year Award.
This season Courtois has kept an incredible 17 clean sheets which shows his exceptional talent. Petr Cech still has a few good seasons left in him leaving Courtois’ future at Chelsea uncertain. The Belgium international will not like warming a bench at Chelsea after being part of the action at Atletico and may want a move out.
Courtois may fancy the chance of replacing Buffon at Juventus as they are a huge club who will certainly give him the games he deserves.
#5 Vito Mannone
The former Arsenal stopper has really come to life at new club Sunderland this season. Mannone has been a key player for the Black Cats this season keeping 8 clean sheets in 21 games including clean sheets against Manchester City and arch-rivals Newcastle United.
The26-year-old performed brilliantly in the Capital One Cup semi-final against Manchester United, managing to save two penalties which helped his team progress to the finals of the competition.
Mannone has good reflexes and has the skills to succeed at Juventus. If the Turin club comes calling Mannone will jump at their offer as he will get a chance to return to his homeland and play for one of Italy’s biggest and most loved clubs.
