In last summer’s mercato, and after a huge change in the club’s management  a large number of acquisitions were made. The team managed to produce a positive first half of the season, up until injuries and suspensions started to hit key figures like Fabio Quagliarella and Felipe Melo. From that point the team started falling downhill and never really managed to lift itself again.

The squad’s average age is one of the lowest in the league, and it possesses a higher number of Italian internationals than any other side; But there are holes in the team and some departments are in need of massive upgrading.

Giorgio Chiellini is world class by anyone’s measure, the Italian centre-back is an excellent competitor and clearly lives for the black and white shirt, but on the other hand, he is not the type of leader a strong defence needs and is over reliant at times on his physicality and brutality than on proper organisational skills which usually need someone more tidy.

Leonardo Bonucci is one of Italy’s best rising defensive talents, if not the best. The Italian international was consistent throughout the first half of last season while a little more patchy in the second. During the closing stages of the season, he even lost his starting place to Andrea Barzagli who arrived from Wolfsburg in January. The former Italian international is excellent back up for any team, but lacks the quality for a team aiming as high as Juve are.

The full-backs could be easily considered the main reason behind Juve’s short comings last season, and this is probably an understatement, as the quality might be very much comparable to that of a side fighting relegation. Marco Motta who started at right back was directly culpable in a big number of goals conceded by Juve. The player who was supposed to be his back up, Czech International Zdenek Grygera was by no means an upgrade, which resulted in a Danish primavera player - Frederik Sorensen, whose natural position is a centre-back, being called into the side.

On the other side, Paolo De Ceglie showed some promise but suffered a season ending injury early in the campaign resulting in Fabio Grosso being drafted in, however, the world cup winner was a big defensive liability on the team. There was also 20 year old Armand Traore, on loan from Arsenal, but when he featured he was far from convincing.

When it comes to individual quality Juve’s midfield had some important attributes, players like Melo, Alberto Aquilani, Claudio Marchisio, and back up, Momo Sissoko are all of very good quality, but the right mix was never found. The midfield was never fluid enough in its passing, nor was it creative and productive in the attacking phase and never managed to maintain any consistency.

On the wings Milos Krasic had an astonishing first half of the season, however a big drop in form came in second half. Issues concerning fatigue were used to justify this dip in form as Krasic played nearly 18 months of non-stop football without a break.

Marchisio was deployed on the left side although this was clearly not his preferred position so he wasn't that much of an attacking outlet for the team. Despite 4 goals and 4 assists to his name, he offered big assurances from a defensive point of view. Simone Pepe was a back up player in the initial plans, the Roman native always showed humility and endeavor but his limitations were always obvious, still he convinced many and this writer is one of them, that he is worth a place in the team, but only as a reserve of course.

Jorge Martinez had an injury plagued season coupled with a series of disappointing performances, as he failed to convince anyone that he has the quality to play for the Bianconeri.

During the first half of the season, statistically, Juve had the strongest attack in the league for the most of it, though apart from Quagliarella, who was having a magnificent season before his injury and some flashes back of brilliance by Alessandro Del Piero, players like Amauri and Vincenzo Iaquinta were very disappointing.

In the January mercato, Alessandro Matri was acquired from Cagliari on a loan deal with option to buy. The Italian showed his worth and was the most positive figure in the second half of the season, ending the season with 20 goals to his name. Luca Toni also arrived in January and made some positive contributions from the bench.

Conclusion:

Problem 1:  Juve need quality full backs on both sides.

Problem 2: Juve need a backup centre-back with leadership characteristics and of enough quality to challenge the starters for a place.

Problem 3: Juve need a genuine left winger at a high level of quality which Conte’s tactical approach demands.

Problem 4: Adding quantity and quality up front is needed; the likes of Iaquinta, Amauri and Martinez should no longer be part of the club's plans.

Problem 5:  Midfield characteristics to suit Conte’s tactical approach as he will opt for a more attacking type of football where midfielder's should maintain possession; Off the ball, their main role is pressing to regain possession as quick as possible rather than just cover their teammate's mistakes.

Solution for Problem 1: Stephan Lichsteiner was purchased from Lazio, while Reto Ziegler came from Sampdoria on a free transfer.

Lichsteiner has been one of the best right backs in Serie A in recent seasons and is a massive upgrade on what Juve had, definitely the best since Lilian Thuram (Not saying much). Reto Ziegler didn’t enjoy a great season last term as Sampdoria were relegated, but the left back’s quality is well known to Serie A followers from his great performances of two seasons ago when he was one of main reasons behind Sampdoria’s top four finish. In case things didn't go well with Juve's defense next season, incompetent fullbacks wont be the pretext. 

Solution for problem 5:  Melo was considered a surplus to requirements and Aquilani, according to his agent wasn’t purchased due to reasons unrelated to finances. Meanwhile, Andrea Pirlo arrived from Milan on a free transfer and Chilean international Arturo Vidal was purchased from Bundesliga runner's up, Bayer Leverkusen.

Nobody can question the quality of Pirlo; If you want pin point passing and creativity from your midfield, in Italy, nobody does just that better than he does. However, concerns remain as to how Pirlo will be deployed in Conte’s system? Most importantly, will he fit into a 4-4-2/4-2-4 formation that is more demanding, physically, than he is used to?

Concerning Vidal, statistically the best midfielder in the Bundesliga last season, with 10 goals and 11 assists to his name, the Chilean is as energetic as they could come and very versatile, probably the acquisition of the summer in Italian football.

Overall Assessment: 

There have been some big moves for Juventus this summer; They have spent most in the league up until now, and they do seem to have just filled most of the holes in their team. Despite that, sporting director Beppe Marotta has promised further signings. However, one big disadvantage which remains unchanged as yet is the lack of a champion capable of carrying the team on his shoulders when things aren’t working out.

Inter will have Samuel Eto’o to save them, Milan will have Zlatan Ibrahimovic, while Juve simply do not have this trump card and lack a player with the ability to make something out of nothing. Will we ever have another Del Piero??