Ex-Juventus winger reveals ideal January signing

Former Juventus winger Massimo Mauro insists the Bianconeri still lack a centre-forward and won’t be favourites when Roma visit them in Turin next week.

Juventus secured a massive 1-0 win over Bologna on Sunday, moving just one point below fourth-placed Roma, who have a game in hand and will host Como this evening.

Juventus and Roma will meet at the Allianz Stadium in Turin next week, and Mauro, a former Juventus player, believes the Old Lady won’t be the team to beat.

“They certainly won’t be the favourites, but we’ll see what happens on the pitch,” the ex-winger told Gazzetta.

“That’s the real issue, not cryptocurrencies. I was at the stadium for Juventus-Pafos, and it highlighted the squad’s issue with depth. Not only defensive absences, but also difficulty in finding a replacement for Yildiz, Conceiçao, McKennie and Locatelli. Thank goodness, David scored; otherwise, he would have had to flee Turin. It had been such a hard game for him.”

The January transfer window is just around the corner, but Mauro doesn’t expect big moves to Turin.

“I wouldn’t know where to turn because they didn’t sell good players. I wouldn’t have signed Openda for that kind of money,” he said.

“I would have said there were no players worthy of Juventus. There’s also a lack of important Italian players, something Juve have always had. Without them, you can’t rebuild because Juventus have always had an Italian dressing room leader.”

Ideally, however, the Bianconeri would still need a centre-forward, particularly after Dusan Vlahovic’s injury.

“They need a Napoli-style Osimhen, a driving force who could carry the attack on his own and whom Luciano Spalletti turned into a true leader. Juve are full of solid, above-average players, but they need someone who makes a difference,” he said.

“I would invest in attack where the situation is incredible. If Yildiz plays badly, it’s a tragedy. If he plays well, there’s a chance to create something dangerous, but Yildiz is not a 20-goal striker, unless he becomes Del Piero or plays as a central forward or support striker. Out wide, at best, he can become like Kvaratskhelia.”

Spalletti has won five of the last six matches and Mauro feels he’s one of the best coaches Juventus could hire.

“He’s the best, along with Conte and Gasperini. An elite coach,” concluded the former winger.

“He can’t be the problem. He has to build the team of the future while hoping to finish in the top four, but he doesn’t have a magic wand.”

Spalletti was hired in October and his contract at the Allianz Stadium runs out in June 2026.