Douglas Luiz: Can he break the curse of Brazilian midfielders at Juventus?

The arrival of Douglas Luiz at Juventus has been met with excitement and anticipation among the Bianconeri faithful.

The Brazilian midfielder, known for his technical ability, passing range, and energetic playstyle, is expected to add depth and quality to the Juventus midfield.

However, as the club’s history suggests, adapting to life at Juventus can be a daunting task for Brazilian midfielders.

A History of Struggles

Despite the rich history of Brazilian players at Juventus, the club has had a mixed record with Brazilian midfielders in recent years. Several high-profile signings have failed to live up to expectations, leaving fans wondering if Luiz can break this trend.

Arthur Melo

Signed in a swap deal with Miralem Pjanic from Barcelona in 2020, Arthur was seen as the key to Juventus’ midfield. However, injuries and inconsistent performances plagued him.

Arthur failed to settle at Juventus where he ended up being loaned multiple times to try and revive his career.

He was first loaned to Liverpool, but the English club decided against triggering an option to buy him following an long-term injury he had during his time at Anfield Road.

After returning from Liverpool, he then got loaned again, to Fiorentina which eventually didn’t exercise an option to sign him permanently as well. He’s now at Juventus, but on a transfer list. He’s expected to leave.

Here’s a glimpse at his stats at Juventus:

• Games: 68
• Goals: 1
• Assists: 1

Hernanes

Arriving in 2014 from Inter with a reputation for creativity and flair, Hernanes never truly settled at Juventus. His time in Turin was marked by underwhelming performances, as reflected in his stats:

• Games: 35
• Goals: 2
• Assists: 0

Felipe Melo

Signed in 2009 from Fiorentina for 25 million euros to add grit and determination to the midfield, he struggled to deliver which ended up being loaned out multiple times before leaving the club Galatasaray in 2014.

• Games: 78
• Goals: 4
• Assists: 1
• Red Cards: 1

Diego Ribas

Joining Juventus in 2009 with a hefty price tag and high expectations, Diego Ribas failed to make an impact. He struggled to adapt to the demands of Italian football and was never able to establish himself as a regular starter.

• Games: 47
• Goals: 7
• Assists: 18

Can Luiz Make the Difference?

While the history of Brazilian midfielders at Juventus is far from encouraging, Douglas Luiz has the potential to buck the trend. His age (26), talent, and playing style suggest that he has the attributes to succeed in Turin.