Swapping Caldara for Bonucci is short-sighted for Juventus

With the addition of their former stalwart defender, Leonardo Bonucci, Juventus are in win-now mode. But the loss of the Mattia Caldara portends an uncertain future for the bianconeri.

Nobody knows if Mattia Caldara will be the Next Great Italian Center-Back, but he showed enough promise in his brief spell with Atalanta to be bought by Juventus last January, a symbolic seal of approval and a signal that the young Italian was bound for greatness in Turin and beyond. Now, before he’s even had a chance to don the black and white stripes, he’s reportedly moving to Milan along with Gonzalo Higuain. In exchange, Juventus will bring back their once beloved, then hated, now probably beloved again, Leonardo Bonucci. Time heals all wounds, but Juventus fans will be feeling whiplash as they cheer once again for the man who spurned them only a year ago in a surprise move to Milan.

Any grudges the 31-year-old Bonucci may have harbored against Massimiliano Allegri are apparently not worth indulging after a disappointing season away from Turin, and after Juventus’ signing of the almighty Cristiano Ronaldo. The taste of Champions League victory is too enticing. But while this move may work out in the short term for Juventus, the long-term sacrifice is not worth it.

After six consecutive Serie A titles, prioritizing the Champions League is understandable, especially considering their bitter exits from the competition the last two years. Adding Ronaldo and Bonucci, while retaining Pjanic, may even make them the favorites this year. But losing Caldara will prohibit Juventus from competing for Champions League titles in the years to come. Bonucci will have no problem rejoining the old back line alongside Chiellini, Barzagli and Benatia. He will help Juve’s build up play with his expert passing, but, like Chiellini, Barzagli and Benatia, he’s on the wrong side of 30.

At some point, an over-emphasis on experienced veterans can do real harm to a club’s future (see: Manchester United). To compete at an elite level in the long-term, talented young players need to be given a chance to develop alongside older stars, to learn on the job. Why not follow the Raphael Varane-Sergio Ramos model at Real Madrid, and pair Caldara’s youth with the more experienced (this is an understatement) Chiellini? Or play him with Daniele Rugani — another young, highly regarded defender who might be shipped off to Chelsea — and let them build some chemistry for the future.

Casting Caldara out now, as the cost of getting off of Higuain’s wages, is not just a loss for Juve, it’s a gift to Milan. In Caldara and Alessio Romagnoli, they’ll have the most exciting young center-back pairing in Serie A. Adding Higuain will also be a big boost for a team that didn’t have a proven goalscorer last season. With this move, the Old Lady is getting older while strengthening a rival.

As for Ronaldo, who eliminated Juve from the Champions League each of the past two years, he can’t be expected to remain at the height of his powers much longer, no matter how many sit-ups he does in the offseason. As he approaches 34, he doesn’t have any time to waste. In a new league (one less top heavy after Napoli’s strong push last year), with new teammates and new surroundings, Ronaldo will have to adapt quickly.

The scudetto may not be in much more doubt than it was last year, but despite the splashy signings, the window for Juventus to win the Champions League has shrunk this offseason. Allegri and company better win this year, because time is not on their side.