Juventus Midfield Crisis Deepens with Locatelli Injury

Juventus have been hit by another brutal injury setback, with captain Manuel Locatelli set to undergo surgery on an external meniscus injury that could keep him out for at least three months.

The midfielder sustained the problem during Sunday’s draw with Milan. Subsequent tests, reported by TuttoSport, confirmed the need for an operation. The preferred option is a meniscus repair – a solution viewed as more durable in the long term, but one that significantly lengthens recovery time.

For Luciano Spalletti, the timing could hardly be worse.

Spalletti’s options shrinking fast

Juventus are already stretched thin in the middle of the park. Khephren Thuram is out long term after surgery and is not expected back until 2027, removing a key physical presence from Spalletti’s plans. Weston McKennie has missed the last two matches with muscular fatigue, adding another hole in a department that once looked well stocked.

On Sunday in Frosinone, the strain was written all over Spalletti’s face. The Juventus coach cut a dejected figure on the touchline at the Stadio Benito Stirpe during the Serie A clash with Frosinone Calcio on August 23, 2026, and the injury news since has only tightened the knot.

New signing Pape Sarr, brought in from Tottenham to bolster the midfield, was also unavailable against Milan. He arrived with a minor muscular issue and, on top of that, lacked the necessary preparation time to be thrown straight into the side.

Suddenly, what should have been healthy competition for places has turned into a full-blown emergency.

Next Gen on standby

With senior options dropping out one by one, Spalletti may be forced to dip into the club’s Next Gen ranks. Among the youngsters under consideration is Owusu, who could be handed a first-team opportunity far earlier than anticipated.

The message is clear: if you are fit and in midfield, you are in the conversation.

And it is not just the centre of the pitch that is creaking.

Kenan Yildiz is only expected to return after the November international break following foot surgery. Jeff Ekhator and Juan Cabal are each facing around another month on the sidelines, depriving Juventus of further depth and flexibility across the squad. Andrea Cambiaso is also in the treatment room, though his minor ankle sprain is viewed as a shorter-term concern.

One by one, the pieces of Spalletti’s puzzle are being removed. The question now is simple and unforgiving: can Juventus hold their shape while they wait for their captain – and half a squad – to come back together?