Juventus’ scary potential 2022-23 XI with Pogba, Di Maria & Cambiaso

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By Rob Swan

Published Jul 4, 2022

Juventus appear to be building a formidable starting XI ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, with Angel Di Maria and Paul Pogba both poised to sign for the Serie A giants

Juventus appear to be building a formidable starting XI ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.The Italian giants have now gone two seasons without winning the Serie A title after Inter Milan and AC Milan were crowned champions in 2020-21 and 2021-22, respectively.Juve had won the previous nine league titles and Italyâ€™s most successful domestic side will be expected to reclaim their crown after transforming their team this summer.A host of players have departed the Juventus Stadium in recent weeks including legendary centre-back Giorgio Chiellini and star forward Paulo Dybala.Striker Alvaro Morata, meanwhile, returns to Atletico Madrid after his two-year loan spell with the Old Lady came to an end.Unlike Morata, Federico Chiesa has been signed permanently by Juventus, who splashed out Â£34 million to sign the Italy international from Fiorentina in May.

Paul Pogba and Angel Di Maria to sign for Juventus

Per Marca, Chiesa is set to be joined in Turin by Paul Pogba and Angel Di Maria, both of whom are expected to be announced by Juve as early as this week.

Pogba returns to Juve after a disappointing six-year spell with Manchester United, while Di Maria has departed Paris Saint-Germain after seven years with the French giants.

Di Maria and Chiesa will be expected to score their fair share of goals while supplying ammunition for the teamâ€™s star centre-forward Dusan Vlahovic, who scored nine goals in 21 appearances for Juve last term after completing a Â£58 million move from Fiorentina in January.

Di Maria - Vlahovic - Chiesa is a pretty scary looking front three, isnâ€™t it?

PAMPLONA, SPAIN - JUNE 05: Angel Di Maria of Argentina looks on during the international friendly match between Argentina and Estonia at Estadio El Sadar on June 05, 2022 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Juventus' midfield for 2022-23

In terms of midfield, Pogba will be joined by Italy international Manuel Locatelli, who begins his second season in Turin on loan from Sassuolo.

Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri has plenty of options at his disposal but Weston McKennie could be selected alongside Pogba and Locatelli in Juveâ€™s first-choice midfield three.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 09: Paul Pogba of Manchester United arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on April 09, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Juventus' defence for 2022-23

Every successful team needs a solid defence and Juve are heading into a new era without the aforementioned Chiellini, who has joined Los Angeles FC after 18 years with the Serie A heavyweights.

Leonardo Bonucci remains at the club, however, and the veteran defender *should* be joined in central defence by Matthijs de Ligt.

That said, there is talk that De Ligt could leave before the start of the season, with Chelsea reportedly keen on signing the Dutchman.

GENOA, ITALY - MAY 6: Matthijs De Ligt of Juventus is seen in action during his warm-up session prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Juventus at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on April 30, 2022 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images)

If De Ligt does leave, Juventus may ramp up their efforts to sign Napoliâ€™s Kalidou Koulibaly as a direct replacement.

Juan Cuadrado is no spring chicken but the 34-year-old should retain his place at right-back, while 22-year-old left-back Andrea Cambiaso is expected to join from Genoa.

Finally, Wojciech Szczesny should retain his status as Juveâ€™s first-choice goalkeeper heading into his sixth season with the club.

GENOA, ITALY - MAY 6: Wojciech Szczesny of Juventus holds the ball during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Juventus at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on April 30, 2022 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images)