Juventus Begins Pre-Season Training Under Spalletti, Six World Cup Stars Absent

Juventus has commenced its pre-season preparations for the upcoming season, with manager Luciano Spalletti leading the initial training sessions. The squad currently consists of 28 players, a group comprised of 22 first-team regulars and six promising talents promoted from the Juventus Next Gen squad.

The Bianconeri are embarking on their fitness and tactical groundwork, but the full complement of players is not yet available. A contingent of six first-team stars are still enjoying extended leave after their commitments at the 2026 World Cup, which concluded recently.

World Cup Absentees

The players currently on holiday after representing their nations at the 2026 World Cup are Bremer (Brazil), Teun Koopmeiners (Netherlands), Weston McKennie (USA), Francisco Conceicao (Portugal), Jonathan David (Canada), and Kenan Yildiz (Turkey). Their return dates will dictate when Spalletti can work with his complete squad.

Available First-Team Players

This leaves Juventus with 22 first-team players available for the initial phase of pre-season training. The group includes a mix of established figures expected to be integral to the 2026-27 campaign, such as new signing Jeff Ekhator, Pierre Kalulu, and Manuel Locatelli. Also present are players whose futures at the club are uncertain, with Michele Di Gregorio, Lois Openda, and Edon Zhegrova among those whose situations are being closely monitored.

Players Linked with Summer Exits

Juventus is also expected to facilitate several departures this summer, with players like Arthur Melo, Douglas Luiz, and Daniele Rugani reportedly being made available for loan or permanent transfer. Their presence at the start of pre-season may signal a period of transition for these individuals.

Next Gen Call-ups

The six players who have been invited to train with the first team from the Juventus Next Gen squad, as reported by Tuttosport, are Pedro Felipe, Javier Gil Puche, Shane van Aarle, Augusto Owusu, Arman Durmisi, and Justin Odoavwoduo. These young players will have the opportunity to impress Spalletti and potentially earn a place in the senior squad.

Full Squad List (Partial)

The available players for the initial training sessions include:

Goalkeepers: Di Gregorio, Perin, Pinsoglio
Defenders: J.Cabal, Cambiaso, Gatti, Kalulu, Kelly, Rugani, J.Mario, Rouhi, P.Felipe, Gil Puche, van Aarle
Midfielders: Locatelli, Miretti, Thuram, D.Luiz, Arthur, Owusu
Forwards: Ekhator, Boga, Milik, Openda, Zhegrova, Owusu, Oboavwoduo, Durmisi

Still on holiday: Bremer, Koopmeiners, McKennie, Conceicao, David, Yildiz.

This period of pre-season is crucial for Spalletti to assess his squad, implement his tactical ideas, and integrate new signings. The returning World Cup stars will be monitored closely upon their arrival, with their fitness levels and reintegration into the team being key priorities. The coming weeks will likely see further developments regarding player movements and the final shape of the Juventus squad for the new season.

Key facts
| Category | Detail |
|—|—|
| Manager | Luciano Spalletti |
| Players available | 28 (22 first-team, 6 Next Gen) |
| World Cup absentees | 6 |
| Next Gen call-ups | Pedro Felipe, Javier Gil Puche, Shane van Aarle, Augusto Owusu, Arman Durmisi, Justin Odoavwoduo |

The start of pre-season training under a new manager like Spalletti is always a significant period for any club. For Juventus, it marks the beginning of their efforts to build a squad capable of competing for domestic and European honors. The early stages are vital for establishing fitness, team cohesion, and tactical understanding, setting the tone for the entire campaign. Fans will be eager to see how the new signings integrate and how the existing players respond to Spalletti’s methods.

Source: Football Italia – Which Juventus players reported for first day of pre-season under Spalletti? https://football-italia.net/which-juventus-players-first-day-pre-season/

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