Former AS Roma defender Medhi Benatia is on the verge of making his comeback to the Serie A. The Bayern Munich defender has arrived in Turin ahead of a loan move to Italian champions Juventus.
After two dismal seasons at the home of the German champions Bayern Munich, centre-back Medhi Benatia is geared to return to the Serie A and join forces with Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus. As reported by Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia), the Italian champions have agreed terms with the Moroccan international and will sign the player on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season. According to the club’s official Twitter handle, the 29-year-old has arrived in Turin on Thursday and is set to undergo a medical shortly.
Benatia will be the Bianconeri’s third signing of the summer following the acquisitions of Dani Alves from Barcelona and Miralem Pjanic from Roma. He would certainly add depth to the already world class Juve defence, and may even replace Andrea Barzagli in the coming seasons as the Italy international is already 35.
Benatia cut a sorry figure at the Allianz Arena as he struggled for game time due to injury and poor form, featuring just 14 times in the Bundesliga in the 2015/16 season. According to WhoScored, in the 960 minutes clocked on the field of play, Benatia averaged 2.4 interceptions and 2.3 clearances per game. His sky-high pass accuracy of 89.1 per cent would come to good use given the tactical and defensive nature of Italy’s top tier.
How does Benatia fare compared to the current Juventus centre-backs?
Despite being somewhat of an outcast at Bayern, Benatia’s 2015/16 stats are pretty impressive when compared to the Juventus defenders. The Moroccan has averaged more interceptions than the four centre-backs, and also has the best pass completion rate of 89 per cent. Benatia’s tall and physical frame has seen him win a considerable amount of aerial duels — 4.51 per game. The Old Lady’s Giorgio Chiellini is a distant second with only 1.81.
He would be a decent signing for Allegri, who needs somebody to play as a deputy to the defensive trio of Bonucci, Barzagli and Chiellini. Also, given the fact that Bonucci is linked with a big money move to Manchester City and that Daniele Rugani too may be headed to the Premier League, it is the right time for someone like Medhi Benatia to step in and take charge of the Bianconeri back line.