Juventus market, tension between Spalletti and Locatelli: what happens in January
The future of Manuel Locatelli hangs in the balance ahead of the January market session: as is well known, the feeling between the Juventus midfielder and coach Luciano Spalletti is not the best, and something could change in a few days. Even during the match against Pisa there was an episode of friction between the coach and the player, who was replaced at 60′ by Zhegrova. It was precisely the moment of the change that triggered the sparks between the two: Locatelli, up to that moment author of a good performance especially in interdiction, saw his number on the fourth man’s table and did not hide his disappointment at all.
The surprised player came out contrite with his head down and when he approached Spalletti, who held out his hand, he asked for an explanation. The Tuscan coach reacted brusquely: “Go … go to the bench!”, and nipped the discussion in the bud. After Zhegrova’s entrance, Juventus shifted gears, making themselves much more dangerous and finding the winning goals with Kalulu and Yildiz.
After the match, Spalletti played the fireman in the press conference, downplaying what happened with Locatelli.
“Locatelli I took him off because he was cautioned, not because of his own demerit. You know that in some moments, when there are constant frontal reversals because Pisa has leg and physicality, it happens that you put your leg on and arrive a little bit late … then you get a yellow that compromises the game. I, on the other hand, have strong players outside and Miretti came in nicely”. The episode increases the perplexity of a future coexistence between the two. By now Spalletti has found the square, and he has well in mind what the right formation is.
It’s yet to be seen whether Locatelli can be part of the team: the arrival of a director in January could change his future. A number of Arab clubs are on the trail of the former AC Milan player, who had already sounded out the ground in the past and may try a new assault in the January market. Several Premier League clubs are also reportedly pondering the former Sassuolo man’s profile.
Manuel Locatelli has been a Juventus player since 2021: since then he has played 205 games in all competitions, scoring 7 goals. With the Bianconeri team he won an Italian Cup in 2024. He previously wore the jerseys of Sassuolo and Milan, while in the Azzurro he has played 34 games so far, graduating as champion of Europe in 2021.
