Spalletti: ‘Lucumi has drive, Vicario top goalkeeper, but Alisson and Martinez…’
HONG KONG, CHINA - AUGUST 5: Head coach Luciano Spalletti of Juventus FC talks to media during post match press conference after the preseason friendly between Chelsea and Juventus at the Kai Tak Stadium on August 5, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Luciano Spalletti welcomes the ‘drive’ of Jhon Lucumi and ‘top goalkeeper’ Guglielmo Vicario, explaining why Juventus initially went for Emiliano Martinez and Alisson Becker.
The coach was speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the final pre-season test against the Next Gen youth team, which as per tradition was interrupted early by a peaceful pitch invasion, albeit an earlier one than usual.
The senior side had won the first half 2-0 thanks to goals from Francisco Conceicao and Weston McKennie.
However, the focus from reporters was all on the new arrivals who weren’t there yet, namely ex-Bologna defender Lucumi, and Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Vicario.
Spalletti welcomes new Juventus signings
“Lucumi has this drive, this physicality that we could really do with,” said Spalletti.
“It’s a very South American thing, they call it garra, where the character is imposed on the game.”
Vicario arrived today to complete his medical tests and confirm the one-season loan from Tottenham with option to buy for a reported fee of €8m plus €2m add-ons.
“Vicario is a mature, intelligent, professional player. He’s got pedigree, one of those players who thinks about the sport even when he goes home in his spare time,” continued Spalletti.
“There are others who take their profession more lightly, but Vicario is one of those I like who is committed. He’s had the right growth process. I don’t know why, but in the last year he was probably deprived of something that meant he was unable to perform, but he remains a top goalkeeper.”
If that is the case, then why did Juventus go for Alisson Becker of Liverpool and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez before eventually plumping for Vicario?
“We probably thought that with a more experienced figure like Alisson, Martinez and so have you, that they’d bring something more to the table, but Vicario has won tournaments too, he had experience abroad at an important club, so he’s on the same level.”
Spalletti has also welcomed new signings like Kerim Alajbegovic and Randal Kolo Muani to the team this summer.
“I had faced Kolo Muani in the Champions League when I was at Napoli, and appreciated his characteristics, even tracking him for a while,” revealed the coach.
“He is a complete striker, he attacks the space, works with the team, is quick, has technique, a bit of everything.
“As for Alajbegovic, he has creativity and quality, class in spades, he’s great to watch. We’ll have to see if he can be concrete in his performances, because he’s got a fantastic foot and can play in a few different roles, not just one specific one.”
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