Juventus prefer academy product over new signing amid injury crisis
Quick summary
Juventus are leaning toward giving minutes to an academy graduate rather than a recent signing as injuries mount in the squad.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceJuventus will have only three central midfielders available in the coming months, but rather than signing a free agent, they seem eager to rely on their academy player, Augusto Sedorf Owusu.
Juventus are running out of options in central midfield, as two regular starters, Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli, will be out of action for about three months.
TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 06: Manuel Locatelli of Juventus is challenged by Luka Modric of Milan during the Serie A match between Juventus and AC Milan at Allianz Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) Thuram underwent knee surgery last week and will be sidelined at least until January 2027. Following his surgery, the Frenchman was even left out of Juventus’ Serie A squad list.
Locatelli will soon undergo meniscus surgery and remain out of action for a similar period.
Reports suggest Juventus will look to free agents, including ex-Inter star Marcelo Brozovic, who can still be signed despite the summer transfer window closing, but according to TMW, the Bianconeri will instead turn to their academy product, Owusu, 21, who currently plays for Juventus’ U23 squad.
AL DAMMAM, SAUDI ARABIA – MAY 3: Marcelo Brozovic of Al Nassr looks on during the Saudi pro league match between Al Qadsiah and Al Nassr at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium on May 3, 2026 in Al Dammam, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images) Owusu was already part of the Juventus squad list for Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Milan, but was not involved.
Juventus also signed Pape Matar Sarr from Tottenham on deadline day, but the Senegal international is still recovering from an injury, and Tuttosport confirms Owusu will likely get a chance with Juventus’ first team in the coming matches.
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What happened
With several players unavailable through injury, Juventus are reportedly set to turn to a youth academy product ahead of a newly acquired player for the next fixture. The decision reflects both the club's trust in their youth development pipeline and the need for squad depth during a difficult period. The new signing, brought in during the recent transfer window, has yet to fully establish himself in the starting XI.
Chance analysis
Juventus choosing to trust a homegrown player over a fresh face during an injury crunch speaks to a broader pattern of relying on internal solutions when depth is tested. Academy graduates often know the system and the dressing room, and promoting one under pressure can boost morale while giving the new signing more time to adapt. The story is a reminder that recruitment doesn't always translate to immediate minutes, especially when injuries force a reshuffle.
Juventus' selection choices may be influenced by injury absences, with an academy player expected to feature ahead of a recent acquisition.