Juventus Midfield Crisis Deepens with Locatelli Injury
Juventus have been hit by another brutal injury setback, with captain Manuel Locatelli now set for surgery on an external meniscus injury that could rule him out for at least three months.
The midfielder picked up the problem in Sunday’s draw with Milan. Initial concern turned into confirmation after further tests, with TuttoSport reporting that specialists have recommended an operation. The preferred route is a meniscus repair – the more durable, long-term solution, but one that comes with a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
For Luciano Spalletti, the timing could hardly be worse.
Spalletti’s options disappearing
Juventus are already stretched to breaking point in midfield. Khephren Thuram is out long term, expected to be sidelined until 2027 after his own surgery. Weston McKennie has missed the last two matches with muscular fatigue and is still not ready to return.
New arrival Pape Sarr, signed to add legs and energy in the middle of the pitch, was also unavailable against Milan. He arrived from Tottenham carrying a minor muscular issue and, on top of that, lacks the necessary preparation to be thrown straight into the intensity of Serie A.
On the touchline in Frosinone on August 23, Spalletti cut a dejected figure during Juventus’ clash with Frosinone Calcio at the Stadio Benito Stirpe. Now the picture looks even bleaker. His midfield has become a puzzle with half the pieces missing.
Next Gen step up?
With senior options vanishing, Spalletti may have little choice but to dip into the club’s Next Gen squad. Among the youngsters under consideration is Owusu, who could be fast-tracked into the first team as Juventus scramble for solutions.
It would be a bold move, but the situation is edging towards an emergency. Experience is thin, legs are tired, and the fixture list will not slow down to wait for Juventus to heal.
Injuries mounting across the squad
The problems do not stop in midfield. Across the squad, warning lights keep flashing.
Kenan Yildiz, recovering from foot surgery, is expected to return only after the November international break. Jeff Ekhator and Juan Cabal are each looking at roughly another month out before they can be considered again. Andrea Cambiaso is on the mend from a minor ankle sprain, but even his situation requires careful management.
One by one, key pieces are being stripped away. Spalletti now has to find a way to keep Juventus competitive while his captain heads for the operating table and the treatment room fills up. The question is no longer whether he will need to gamble on youth, but how quickly those young players can grow into the roles the season is suddenly demanding of them.
