Fabio Capello believes Douglas Luiz is undervalued at Juventus and shouldn’t be given up on despite a disappointing first season in Serie A.

Fabio Capello, a former Juventus coach, thinks the club shouldn’t be too hasty in writing off Douglas Luiz after his dismal first season in Serie A.

Luiz was a big signing from Aston Villa last summer, costing €50m, and was specifically requested by Thiago Motta and director of sport Cristiano Giuntoli. However, with both those figures now sacked, Luiz has not turned up for pre-season training, suggesting he might be frozen out entirely.

Capello believes Luiz is undervalued and perhaps wasn’t given the chance to showcase his best skills. “I think he is undervalued,” Capello said. “He was not convincing, but I liked him, even if he disappeared pretty quickly from the team. He seemed as if he had the necessary quality and was a good player.” Capello’s comments suggest that Luiz’s struggles might not be entirely his fault.

The Brazilian midfielder isn’t the only player who failed to live up to expectations at Juventus last season.

Capello pointed out that other players like Nico Gonzalez and Teun Koopmeiners also struggled to make an impact. “Juventus spent a lot of money to sign players they thought were right for the team,” Capello said. “Just look at Koopmeiners, it seems impossible to think this is the same player who made the difference with Atalanta.”

This raises questions about the team’s dynamics and whether the players were given the right support to succeed. Capello’s concerns are valid, given the significant investment Juventus made in these players. If many players are struggling to integrate and deliver, it’s essential to examine the underlying issues.

There’s a risk that some of these players might leave Juventus and prove themselves at other teams. Capello noted that some players are unhappy at Juventus and pushing for an exit this summer, while others are involved in contract disputes, like Dusan Vlahovic.

The situation with Vlahovic is particularly uncertain, with the club facing a potential challenge if he decides to leave as a free agent. Capello thinks Vlahovic might risk sitting out a year and having limited offers if he doesn’t find a new club soon.

Capello also mentioned that Milan might be interested in signing Vlahovic, with Max Allegri wanting to bring him to the team. Allegri knows Vlahovic’s capabilities, which could boost the confidence of both the player and the club. This potential move wouldn’t be surprising, given the circumstances.