Juventus are reportedly open to selling defender Bremer this summer, despite his status as one of the team’s strongest players, because manager Luciano Spalletti believes the Brazilian does not fully fit his tactical vision. The news comes as a surprise given Bremer’s importance to the Juventus squad and his desire to remain in Turin.
According to reports in the Italian press, Spalletti had hoped Bremer would significantly improve his passing and overall contribution to building play from the back, but this development has not materialized. While acknowledging Bremer’s strengths in defensive duels and his leadership qualities, Spalletti has publicly stated that the centre-back lacks the qualities needed to effectively implement his preferred style of play.
Spalletti commented in January that Bremer possessed “enormous potential” when in possession, and could “cut through opposing defenses in an instant.” However, as the season progressed, he became aware that Bremer hadn’t made the necessary improvements in his distribution. Following a draw against Verona, Spalletti noted that Bremer and fellow centre-back Kelly were “great defenders of individual quality…but perhaps concede something in building play, in the quality of going to play and create.”
Statistical analysis from DataMb supports Spalletti’s assessment. Bremer ranks in the 90th percentile for duels won among defenders in Europe’s top seven leagues, demonstrating his prowess in one-on-one situations. However, he falls into the 62nd percentile for forward passing accuracy, the 54th for completed progressive passes, and the 43rd for progressive carries. These numbers suggest that while Bremer excels defensively, his contribution to progressive play is limited. Juventus are reportedly valuing Bremer at a minimum of €40 million, and Bayern Munich are continuing to express interest in acquiring the player. A sale would allow Juventus to reshape their defensive options to better suit Spalletti’s tactical demands.
This situation highlights the evolving demands of the modern game, where defenders are increasingly expected to contribute to possession-based attacking play. Bremer’s potential departure could signal a shift in Juventus’s approach under Spalletti, prioritizing ball-playing defenders who can initiate attacks from the back.
