ONES TO WATCH: Samuel Illing jr.
The Forecast predicts an English Youngster’s rise
Juventus have endured a tumultuous season to say the least. First, they crashed out the Champions League Group Stage after a thrilling 4–3 away loss to Benfica, only finishing ahead of Maccabi Haifa on goal difference to creep into the Europa League. Next. they were deducted 15 points for breaching financial regulation, which was preceded by the resignation of key club officials, not least Chairman Andrea Agnelli and club legend Pavel Nedved. Also, the big gamble on Paul Pogba has spectacularly failed, with the player hardly playing due to injury, adding to the long-standing issues in midfield that have not been properly addressed for years.
Nonetheless, through the fire has emerged a phoenix in the form of 19-year old English winger Samuel Illing Jr. Joining Juventus’s academy from Chelsea’s in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic, the youngster has gone from strength to strength and broke into the first team this season. A quick dribbler with good footwork and crossing, Illing Junior adds excitement and trickery to a rudderless Juventus side that look bereft of any ideas or flair under Allegri.
Illing Junior’s best moments this season have been his assist against Benfica in the aformentioned loss at the Estádio da Luz in which he managed to get past the defender and cross for Milik to volley home, and his first goal for the club against Atalanta in which he finished a move that started with his excellent recovery after being fouled.
Already linked with a return to England, Samuel Illing Jr. is certainly one to keep an eye on!
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