Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti intends to assess Douglas Luiz during pre-season training, according to reports in Italy. The Brazilian midfielder will return to Turin on time for the start of the training camp next week, having spent time recovering in Ibiza, Mykonos, and Brazil.
Luiz’s return comes after an underwhelming period following his €50 million transfer from Aston Villa in 2023. The deal, which included Barrenechea and Iling-Jr. as part of the exchange, was based on Luiz’s impressive 2022-23 form for Villa, where he consistently contributed goals and assists. However, he has struggled to replicate that performance in Turin, and during loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, starting only 20 of 34 matches and registering one goal and two assists.
Spalletti is facing a challenging situation as he prepares for the new season, with Juventus’s failure to qualify for the Champions League impacting their transfer budget and limiting their ability to attract high-profile signings. The recent change in club leadership, with Giovanni Carnevali appointed as CEO in mid-June, has further complicated matters. As a result, Spalletti will focus on evaluating players returning from loan, hoping to find unexpected opportunities within the existing squad.
Despite a history of muscle injuries – seven in the last two seasons – Spalletti is keen to explore Luiz’s potential in a new role. The manager intends to test the midfielder as a deep-lying playmaker, drawing comparisons to his successful implementations of similar roles with players like Pizarro at Udinese and Roma, Brozovic at Inter, and Lobotka at Napoli. Spalletti believes Luiz’s technical ability and passing range remain intact and could be valuable assets in his possession-based system. The upcoming pre-season tour to Hong Kong and Australia will provide a platform to assess Luiz's suitability for this position, and potentially revitalize his career at the club.
