Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti has thrown his full weight behind Manuel Locatelli, publicly backing the midfielder to keep the captain’s armband and confirming him as a central figure in his new look side.
This endorsement comes despite a recent past where Spalletti, during his tenure as Italy manager, frequently overlooked Locatelli for international duty. The midfielder’s absence was stark, most notably when Nicolò Fagioli was selected ahead of him last season despite Fagioli serving a lengthy ban at the time. That decision had many in Turin fearing the worst when Spalletti walked into the Allianz Stadium, with supporters worried their club captain’s days as a key man were numbered.
But any fears of a fallout have been firmly put to bed. Under Spalletti’s early guidance, Juventus have found form and Locatelli has been an ever present in the engine room. Most tellingly, he has retained the captaincy, a role Spalletti would surely have stripped him of if he harboured any serious doubts. Instead, the 26 year old remains the vocal and organisational heartbeat of the squad.
Speaking ahead of Juve’s clash with Cagliari, Spalletti laid out exactly why his opinion has changed. “From my point of view, there are those who are better suited to creating chances and others who are better suited to balancing the team. For me, he’s perfect and there’s no better player to play this dual role,” Spalletti told reporters, including Tuttomercatoweb.
He added, “Now he’s fully immersed in the role. I see him constantly improving. For me, he’s a good captain.”
These comments mark a significant public vote of confidence, transforming Locatelli from a perceived outsider in Spalletti’s plans to his designated on pitch lieutenant. It’s a crucial development for the club’s stability, cementing a leader in the dressing room as they push for a return to the Serie A summit.
For Locatelli, this public backing from a manager who once seemed sceptical is the ultimate show of trust. It not only secures his immediate future but marks him out as the foundational piece around which Spalletti intends to build his Juventus project. The armband is staying put, and so is its wearer.