"He is among the most talented young players at Paris," remarked PSG coach Laurent Blanc upon youth prodigy Kingsley Coman's departure from Parc des Princes to Turin last summer. Juventus managed to snag his signature free of charge, given the expiration of his contract in Ligue 1, and thus his capture represented one of Juve's more intriguing acquisition of recent years. Earmarked as a future star of the French national team, it was a win-win opportunity for the Old Lady.
The Frenchman was awarded his first start under Massimiliano Allegri during the Juve's league opener against Chievo. Paired with Carlos Tevez in attack, Coman dazzled during his 68 minute cameo, departing the field with his expectation levels among the Juventini faithful having rose exponentially.
But a failure to build upon his impressive showing in Verona has put his immediate future up in the air. The club will show defiance should offers to buy arrive in the Old Lady's email inbox, but for Coman to ensure that he doesn't become marginalised in Allegri's set-up, a loan move elsewhere represents the most prudent option.
Juventus have loaded the striking department
To replace the outgoing Carlos Tevez, Max Allegri has acted swiftly to secure the services of both Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic and has also welcomed Simone Zaza, who spent the previous two seasons on loan to Sassuolo, back into the first-team fray. Given Alvaro Morata became a permanent fixture in Allegri's first XI after his impressive end to the season, it leaves Coman, who often played second fiddle to Fernando Llorente (expected to depart this summer) out in the wilderness.
Dybala is widely anticipated to assume the creative-cum-goalscoring role of Tevez, while Mandzukic should act as a like-for-like replacement for Llorente. Zaza may still have a lot to provide in the bianconeri of Juventus, but he represents the safer option in terms of their output. Allegri may experiment with the Frenchmen as a trequartista, but that role may be filled by the arrival of a creative attacking midfielder.
Unfortunately, opportunities during Juve's treble quest last season were already sparse, as Coman started from the off on only four separate occasions during the Serie A campaign and was generally reserved for Coppa Italia clashes. Though he dazzled on a few instances last season -- namely the late season clash against Napoli -- there was no continuity in appearances and, consequently, he often flattered to deceive.
Take the 2-1 home defeat to Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia, for instance. The Frenchmen scurried about relentlessly in attack, but became isolated when Juventus flooded forward and limped off eight minutes before half-time nursing a hamstring injury.
Little substance to his game
If Coman disappointed in the number of appearances he was granted, then his contribution on the field must be put under the microscope. The youngster could only find the net on one occasion -- and even that came during a dead rubber Coppa Italia tie against Hellas Verona -- and grabbed only two assists.
If the Frenchman was to depart on loan to a club of a lesser scale, then he could accrue regular gametime and hone his end product given that he is not burdened by the pressures of performing for the biggest club on the Italian peninsula.
His energetic persona could instantly galvanise a dressing room, akin to Domenico Berardi's impact at Sassuolo during these past two years, and he could become an integral figure under the correct stewardship. At Juve, he is a star in a dressing room awash with superstars. Should he depart to, say, Palermo, he becomes a valuable asset and a figure that Giuseppe Iachini is able to predicate his side around.
Possible destinations
Genoa are seeking a replacement for Iago Falque -- who has left for Roma -- and Coman, given his penchant for drifting inside and causing panic for the opposition backline, could be a real gem in Gianpiero Gasperini's famed 3-4-3 formation.
The aforementioned Falque, who was in the footballing wilderness before Gasperini assumed control of Genoa, has developed exceedingly under the Italian's tutelage. Coman could follow suit.
Sassuolo may hunting for that extra creative spark in light of Zaza's return to Juventus. Both are of contrasting style, granted, but should Eusebio Di Francesco pair the Frenchmen and Berardi -- formerly of Juventus -- together in his trusted triumvirate, the Neroverdi could recapture a modicum of the flair which made them the most enticing proposition in Serie A back in 2014.
Palermo are also on the lookout for a player in the ilk of the departed Dybala. Coman, like his Argentine associate, has a penchant for the spectacular and should Maurizio Zamparini, Palermo president, come calling, Juve could do a lot worse than shipping the Frenchmen out to Sicily.
Dybala struck a devastating rapport with Italian international Franco Vazquez last campaign. If Palermo are to stay afloat in Serie A come next May, they may need to recreate some of that magic.