Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti is reportedly prioritizing the acquisition of Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, potentially leading to the departure of Bremer, according to reports in the Italian press.
Spalletti is seeking to address perceived weaknesses in Juventus’s build-up play from defense, believing that a more technically proficient central defender is needed to offer greater variety and unpredictability in possession. The former Napoli manager has long admired Kim, with whom he enjoyed success during their Scudetto-winning season in 2023.
Spalletti and Kim developed a strong rapport at Napoli, with the manager praising the South Korean’s Champions League quality and exceptional technical ability. Kim reciprocated the sentiment, stating he chose Napoli specifically to work with Spalletti. During their time together, Kim established himself as the best defender in Serie A, combining physical prowess with impressive passing range. He averaged 75 successful passes per game with a 91% accuracy rate, and 93.5 touches per game during the 2022-23 season.
Kim has continued to demonstrate his passing ability at Bayern Munich, currently leading the Bundesliga in successful passes, forward passes, dribbles, and progressive passes, according to DataMB statistics. While Spalletti initially saw similar potential in Bremer upon his arrival at Juventus, the Brazilian has not consistently displayed the same level of comfort and effectiveness in possession.
The statistical comparison between the two players highlights this difference. Kim averaged 20.4 forward passes per game compared to Bremer’s 8.2, and 0.9 dribbles per game compared to Bremer’s 0.2. Spalletti believes Kim’s superior passing and ball progression skills are crucial for building a Juventus side capable of dominating possession and controlling games. The proposed deal would see Kim join Juventus on loan, with Bremer potentially moving in the opposite direction. This move could significantly alter Juventus’s defensive approach, prioritizing ball-playing ability alongside traditional defensive qualities.
