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 a report from Italian media outlet. The shift in preference stems from Spalletti’s desire to improve Juventus’s build-up play from defense, an area identified as a weakness during the recently concluded season.
In modern football, particularly at top clubs, defensive capabilities extend beyond tackling and winning duels. The ability to distribute the ball effectively and possess technical skill is increasingly crucial for initiating attacks and creating unpredictability. Spalletti has reportedly made it clear that addressing this deficiency is a priority for Juventus in the transfer market, and he sees Kim as the ideal solution.
Spalletti and Kim previously enjoyed a successful working relationship at Napoli, where they won the Serie A title together in 2023. The manager has consistently praised Kim’s qualities, describing him as a “Champions League defender” and highlighting his impressive execution. Kim reciprocated the sentiment, stating he chose Napoli specifically to play under Spalletti. During their time together, Kim established himself as the league’s top defender, combining physical strength, timing, and speed with exceptional passing ability.
Kim’s statistical record at Napoli further supports Spalletti’s preference. In the 2022-23 season, he averaged 75 successful passes per game with a 91% accuracy rate, and 93.5 touches per game. He has continued to demonstrate similar proficiency in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, currently leading the league in successful passes, forward passes, dribbles, and progressive passes, according to DataMB statistics. These numbers contrast sharply with Bremer’s performance in the same areas.
While Spalletti initially saw potential in Bremer’s all-around game, acknowledging his ability to quickly advance the ball upfield, the Brazilian defender has not consistently demonstrated the desired level of passing ability. A direct comparison reveals a significant disparity in their distribution skills; Kim averaged 20.4 forward passes per game last season, compared to Bremer’s 8.2, and 0.9 dribbles per game to Bremer’s 0.2. This difference in build-up play is the primary reason for Spalletti’s leaning towards Kim, as he aims to build a Juventus side capable of dominating possession and controlling the game. The potential move would see Kim join Juventus on loan, with Bremer moving in the opposite direction.
