Juventusโ defeat away at Sassuolo on Monday night brought to end their unbeaten start to the season, also highlighting just how badly their midfield injury crisis has left them reeling both in defence and attack.
However, there was silver lining for the Bianconeri on the Neroveri side of the fence, as they were left captivated by the cameo of young Darrylย Bakola, who in a matter of 35 minutes showed them exactly what theyโd been missing.
Quick passing, carrying the ball from deep, and delivering a late assist to Kieron Bowie: if Bakola wanted to deliver a showcase performance to his current employers and future suitors, he could have dreamt of few better scenarios.
The France U20 international arrived in Reggio Emilia earlier this year in February, moving from Marseille, whose academy he graduated from, for โฌ10 million after struggling for game time under Roberto De Zerbi.
Now, though, he seems to have found his feet and looks set for a coming-of-age campaign with Sassuolo, with whom heโs contracted to until June 2030, earning a gross annual salary of โฌ740,000.
As confirmed by TUTTOmercatoWEB, Juventus are already sufficiently impressed by the 18-year-old and will monitor him closely this season with an eye on making a move for him sooner rather than later.
A penny for the Old Ladyโs thoughts
Given their current predicament in the middle of the park, Juventus could hardly have been in a more sympathetic position to be left enchanted by a young midfielder who belied his years and adeptly operated in deep areas while also proving incisive with his balls in attack.
So, itโs little surprise Juve have looked at Bakolaโs cameo and decided that he is someone to keep an eye out for. In particular, the way Serie A has kicked off this season, the limelight is covering more than the elite clubs and highlighting in particular young talent.
Another thing to be kept in mind here is that these days even big-name European clubs find it hard to convince young talent to not join the Premier League as soon as a chance arrives, even if that chance arrives in the form of a mid-to-lower-table side. Teams tend to pounce on every chance they can get. Juve, already in need of long-term midfield overhaul, will be particularly opportunistic when it comes to young midfielder in the coming transfer windows.
Anshuman Joshi | GIFN
