Ever since the closure of the summer transfer window, the entries of the Juventus Club Focus have debated what the future of the Bianconeri midfield holds.
Immediately after clubs were stopped from snapping up any new deals, Hernanes was mentioned as the saviour of the middle of the park. After a fairly positive debut, the Brazilian failed to replace the often-mentioned Andrea Pirlo well enough.
A few weeks later, it was Paul Pogba’s turn to be examined. The Frenchman’s performance against Genoa was second to none, playing a part in both the goals in scoring one and providing the assist for the other.
He too, though, was, for now, a one-match star. As they say, however, third time lucky, and Massimiliano Allegri’s team is just starting to properly come together after a few weeks of uncertainty.
Thank you Sami Khedira.
World Cup winner last year and Champions League winner with Real Madrid the season prior, the German international, who unfortunately picked up an injury before the campaign started leading to the perhaps panic buy of Hernanes, is the gel that the squad have been needing to bring everything together.
Pirlo was a master on the ball, there is no doubt about it. His absence inevitably left a dent in the framework of the most successful Italian club, and an extremely good reinforcement was needed to make sure that success continued and a historic fifth-straight Scudetto was achieved.
The aforementioned Hernanes and Pogba tried and failed, and even Simone Padoin had a go at one point, but none of them fit the bill.
A conductor is needed, and Khedira was that man, producing a beautiful melody with his faithful orchestra.
A strong metaphor maybe, but one that holds true.
Altruism is a key part of any successful midfield; a player who puts the team first ahead of his own achievements, and this selflessness is an invaluable characteristic for someone to possess.
Luckily for Juventus, Khedira has such personality.
Adapting with ease to the Italian style of play and Allegri’s 4-3-3 formation, the 28-year-old made crucial runs to aid his teammates’ movement, while also, although not strictly following altruistic traits, grabbing himself a Serie A debut goal. A suitable reward for his hard work.
Thankfully, since the last one of these Club Focuses for Juventus, there have been two games involving the Old Lady.
A tough fixture against Sevilla in the Champions League followed by a far-from-easy league game at home to Bologna given their recent domestic form, both of which had good performances from Khedira and both of which they won, meaning neither was a one-off.
Despite being just their second win so far this term, La Vecchia Signora appear to be back at their best, playing deadly football which can knock down the strongest of European sides, let alone the smaller clubs of Serie A.
The Derby d’Italia is waiting for them after the international break, but should they match their performances with the ones against Sevilla and Bologna, three points will surely come their way.
Constantly being overshadowed by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo up front and Kaka in midfield during his tenure at Real Madrid, the transfer from Los Blancos to Italy will give Khedira more time in the spotlight, allowing him to flourish with his good football.
It’s not like Juventus have to worry about injuries with him too much either. He had just recovered from the knock he picked up in the summer before the Sevilla game on Wednesday, but played 76 minutes on the field with relative comfort, showing no clear signs of any aggrevation to the injury.
Already a fan favourite with the Juve faithful who applauded his efforts, the German’s career can come to a peak while in Turin.
