This evening, between 8 and 9 PM local time, the highest-paid player in Serie A is set to arrive in Turin. This is the first official month of the transfer market, and he will remain in Italy – except for away matches – until he is called up by the Brazilian national team in early September. His late arrival for training with his new club is solely due to his participation in the Copa America, where Brazil was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Uruguay. After the national team’s coach, Dorival Junior, released the players, it was time for a holiday. Today marks the day of his arrival in Italy, as he is expected to report to Continassa tomorrow, joining his fellow compatriots Danilo and Bremer, along with Turkish player Kenan Yildiz.
The anticipation surrounding Douglas Luiz, the midfielder signed from Aston Villa for €50 million, is not only due to the hefty transfer fee but also because of the significant responsibilities that will fall on the shoulders of the 26-year-old in the newly formed Juventus under Thiago Motta. So far, the Bianconeri have only played one match this summer, which was a friendly against Nuremberg. That game featured a makeshift squad filled with youngsters from the Next Gen side. While this isn’t an excuse for the 3-0 loss to a second-division German team, it highlights that the transition from Massimiliano Allegri’s style to Thiago Motta’s approach will require time and effort.
Central to this transition will be the midfield, where Douglas Luiz will play a critical role in controlling possession, managing the team’s tempo, and adding the quality needed for Motta’s style of play. This investment reflects Juventus’ intention to strengthen their midfield. The technical director, Cristiano Giuntoli, is also considering a similar investment for Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners, emphasizing the club’s commitment to bolstering this area of the pitch to support Motta’s vision.
Starting tomorrow, Douglas Luiz will begin working with his new coach. After a refreshing night in Turin, he will then begin preparing for Juventus’ season opener against Como on August 19. There are just 21 days between his first training session and his official debut, which is a tight timeframe for the coaching staff to ensure he reaches peak fitness and understands his role in the team. The other new signing, Khephren Thuram, has been integrating into the squad for longer and will complement Douglas Luiz with his physicality and defensive skills. Meanwhile, Manuel Locatelli has already stepped in for him during the match in Germany, indicating his readiness for what will be an important season after missing out on Euro 2024.
As Douglas Luiz arrives in Turin today and heads to Continassa tomorrow, he carries significant motivation. He is the most important transfer in Serie A this season, finding himself at the heart of a new project that suits his footballing style. After a fantastic season in the Premier League with Aston Villa, he now has an exciting challenge ahead, stepping into the Champions League with Juventus. While the weight of that responsibility is substantial, Douglas Luiz has the talent and character to thrive under the guidance of Motta.
