Strange Case of Douglas Luiz – Where Is Juventus Marquee Signing?

Douglas Luiz’s extended absence from Juventus has raised questions among fans and the Italian press. The Brazilian midfielder has been sidelined for almost two months despite official reports stating there are ‘no lesions.’

Luiz’s mysterious absence draws comparisons to Dusan Vlahovic’s recent injury struggles. According to Calciomercato, he last featured for Juventus in their home victory against Lazio on October 19.

Since then, he has been absent from the squad, missing numerous vital matches. Furthermore, he’s already ruled out of the upcoming clash with AC Milan and the Champions League fixture against his former team, Aston Villa.

The mystery deepens as Juventus stubbornly insist there are no severe injuries or complications. What was initially described as minor muscular discomfort in Luiz’s left thigh has now stretched into an extended absence that has left many puzzled.

Speculation points to Luiz possibly struggling to cope with the high-intensity training demands of Juventus coach Thiago Motta, known for his rigorous approach. While Luiz briefly returned to the bench for the Lille match at Motta’s request, he has since felt unable to feature in matches.

The lack of a clear timeline for his return has fueled various theories about the true nature of his injury. While Juventus continue to downplay the severity of the issue, the prolonged absence for what was supposed to be a minor setback remains perplexing.

Meanwhile, Juventus may already be preparing for life after Luiz. Motta’s men have reportedly set sights on sought-after Atalanta star Ederson. However, they face stiff competition from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain for the Brazilian midfielder.