As the international break arrives for the third time this season, Juventus are reflecting on their performance and the expectations set during the summer transfer window. One player who has emerged as a significant disappointment is Douglas Luiz. The Brazilian midfielder, who joined from Aston Villa, has struggled to make an impact, featuring in nine matches but totalling only 312 minutes on the pitch—an average of just 34 minutes per game—without scoring or assisting.
Calciomercato report how, Initially brought in to lead Juventus’ midfield, Luiz has seen his role diminish under coach Thiago Motta, becoming the last option in midfield rotations. His difficulties adapting to Serie A, combined with a late start to his preparation and some muscle injuries, have hindered his performance. The expectations for Luiz were high given his previous success in the Premier League, but he has yet to deliver at the level anticipated by the club, fans, and management.
Rumors have surfaced suggesting a possible return to Aston Villa on loan as early as January. However, several factors indicate that such a move is unlikely.
First, both sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli and coach Thiago Motta remain convinced of Luiz’s potential and are determined to give him the opportunity to prove himself at Juventus. They believe that with time, he can demonstrate his true abilities.
Second, having invested around 28 million euros for his transfer—after accounting for players included in the deal—Juventus sees Luiz as an asset that should not be devalued. The club is committed to maximizing his value rather than giving up on him prematurely.
Lastly, Juventus has pressing priorities for the upcoming transfer window that do not include offloading key midfielders like Luiz. The immediate focus is on strengthening the defense, particularly with injuries affecting Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal. Additionally, there may be a need to find a backup for Dusan Vlahovic. In this context, losing a player like Luiz would complicate matters further, especially during a short January window filled with matches.
Given these considerations, it appears that Douglas Luiz will remain with Juventus for now as the club seeks to support him in finding his form and contributing effectively to their campaign.
