Daniele Rugani was the future. Signed by Juventus back in 2012, he was thought to be the long-term successor to the club’s vaunted BBC backline, a ready-made replacement as Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini grew older. A year in the Bianconeri youth team was followed by a return to former side Empoli where the rapidly improving defender spent a season in Serie B and then another in the top flight.
Every time he made a successful tackle or scored a goal, clips were shared on social media by excited Juve supporters, keen to see this talented youngster representing the Old Lady as soon as possible. In the summer of 2015 they got their wish, Rugani celebrating both his 21st birthday and a recall to Turin, with the sale of Angelo Ogbonna to West Ham creating space for him behind that trio of regulars.
However, he also found himself behind Martin Caceres and did not start a game until January 10, 2016, going on to make just ten more by the end of the campaign. In isolation this was not a problem, Juve had a quartet of proven performers and a well-engrained system, it only made sense that the youngster had to wait his turn. The 2016/17 campaign followed a similar pattern however, Rugani again making just 11 starts in Serie A and two in the Champions League, Medhi Benatia arriving from Bayern Munich and instantly passing him in the pecking order.
Then came the bombshell that was Bonucci’s hasty exit, the youngest member of the BBC now wearing Milan colours and, as Juve did not bring in another central defender, it seemed Rugani would be given a more prominent role. As the season began, Max Allegri showed faith in the Lucca native, handing him a place in the starting XI for the first five league games before giving him an extended run in the side through October and November.
When December hit and – thanks to Napoli’s resilient title push – the games began to be more important, Rugani returned to the bench. He was an unused substitute when Juve visited the Stadio San Paolo, remaining there until Allegri rotated the team ahead of Champions League clashes with Tottenham and Real Madrid. Indeed, from December 1 until April 11 when the Bianconeri were eliminated from Europe, he made just seven appearances, brought in only against lesser opponents to allow Benatia and Chiellini some rest.
There is unquestionably an increased feeling of loyalty towards young Italian players from Juventus fans, and in truth it is easy to find ways to defend Rugani. Yes, he was at fault for goals by Crotone and Inter in recent weeks, but those games aside it is difficult to highlight specific errors or issues, his tackling, distribution and marking all comfortably above average for a player in his role.
Yet when it matters most, Allegri simply opts for other players. There has to be a reason for that, a flaw (or flaws) that the Coach sees and which makes him reluctant to field Rugani despite no end of impressive statistics.
That leaves a difficult conundrum for Beppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici this summer, particularly with Mattia Caldara set to arrive back from his loan spell with Atalanta. Two months older than Rugani, he has played just two seasons in Serie A but this term alone – his first and only with continental football – he has already gained more European experience than his potential future team-mate has in three campaigns combined with Juve.
Playing in tough away matches at Everton, Lyon and Borussia Dortmund, Caldara showed an uncanny maturity and mental toughness that has been so sorely lacking in Rugani thus far. Of course, there is no way of knowing if he will be able to carry that into next term, the added pressure and scrutiny of pulling on the Juventus shirt always taking its toll on a new signing.
Yet what is clear is that Allegri does not trust Rugani, that that pressure has proved too great for him and he has failed to improve as many – including this writer – expected he would. Caldara needs to be given every opportunity to do the same, a chance to show his quality alongside Chiellini and Benatia without worrying over the development of another player. It seems Barzagli will sign a one-year contract this summer, and moving him down to fourth-choice would be only natural given his age and declining skills, but against teams in the bottom half of Serie A he can still be a more than adequate choice to fill in.
That leaves a tough decision for the club, but perhaps the best option would be a one or two-year loan to another top-flight Italian side, the change of scenery and an increase in playing time perhaps sparking the necessary reaction in Rugani.
Yes, he might blossom immediately, but Juve would still have control of his future and could bring him back a vastly improved player ready to perform at the highest level. Daniele Rugani was the future – he still might be – but he certainly isn’t the present and Mattia Caldara could be. It’s time to find out.
