It seems Juventus have found the attacking midfielder the team has been searching for. Juventus sporting director, Beppe Marotta, previously confirmed to Mediaset television that there was an agreement with Chelsea to take Juan Cuadrado on loan, the club officially announced the transaction.
The club’s website confirmed that it will be a season-long loan for the Columbian.
Serie A experience
Cuadrado is no stranger to Serie A, having made a name for himself as at Fiorentina for three seasons. He has also played for Udinese and Lecce. The winger’s initial stay in London was a short one—he only left the Viola mid-way through last season. Cuadrado made 13 appearances for the Blues, winning the League Cup and the Premier League while in England.
The winger is yet another player to be forced out of Chelsea due to an overly-deep squad. Mohamed Salah and Marco Van Ginkel were loaned out to Roma and Stoke City respectively, while the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Filipe Luis, Andre Schurrle and Ryan Bertrand have all been sold in recent years thanks to a packed squad.
Also similar to Salah, Cuadrado could have quite the impact in Italy.
Salah had never played in Italy’s top flight, but nevertheless scored six goals while contributing three assists in only 16 Serie A appearances. He also added a goal and an assist in the Europa League.
On the other hand, Cuadrado actually has experience in Serie A.
During 17 games before the transfer to Chelsea last season, the Columbian scored four goals while handing out four assists in 17 domestic games. The season before that he posted 11 goals and a further five assists.
Creative option for Juventus
The pacey winger should provide a boost for Juve, linking the play between the midfielders and the forwards while also running at defenders. He gives the Turin-based giants yet another potent option in the attack to match with the likes of Alvaro Morata, Paulo Dybala, Kingsley Coman and Mario Mandzukic. Throw in Paul Pogba and Claudio Marchisio making runs out of the midfield, and all of a sudden the Bianconeri have not only a revamped, but dynamic attack.
Cuadrado’s arrival also ends Marotta’s search for a number 10 type to play behind the strikers. The loan-fee is likely much more inexpensive than what Juve would have paid for the likes of Julian Draxler, Oscar or Willian, making it yet another shrewd transfer decision by the team’s sporting director.
Like so many clubs before them, Juve has taken advantage of an overcrowded Chelsea roster. The team will be hoping that Cuadrado displays the same form he did while in Florence. If that is the case, the Bianconeri have found another transfer-window steal.