Rabiot’s Juventus Renewal Surprised Many, But Makes Perfect Sense

The news surprised by many, if not most, Juventus fans.

Most eagle-eyed observers of Italy’s biggest side would’ve assumed that Adrien Rabiot was going to leave the club this summer. Rabiot’s contract with The Old Lady was set to expire at the end of June, and given Juve’s financial situation and the fact that Rabiot hasn’t been the most popular of players during his four-year stint in black-and-white, most believed a departure was inevitable.

Moreover, Juve’s withdrawal from the Champions League was seen as another indication that Rabiot would move on, with the player looking to play in Europe’s premiere competition.

The likes of Manchester United had been linked with the Frenchman over the past 12 months, with United close to signing him last summer, only for a deal to fall through due to the demands of the player’s agent – his mother – Veronique Rabiot.

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And yet, it was announced this week that the player would, in the end, extend his stay with Juventus for a further year, signing a one-year extension. It’s reported that Rabiot will earn roughly around the same as his previous salary (€7m-per-season), but if one reads between the lines, it’s likely that there wasn’t the line of offers the Frenchman was no doubt expecting, despite producing his best season in Serie A in 2022-23.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Man United came calling once again, only for the demands from the Rabiot camp to be deemed too high to strike a deal. There were murmurs of a move to Liverpool, but the reality is Rabiot staying at Juve was not just the most feasible solution for all concerned, but the best. Juve, most likely, couldn’t have afforded signing a player of Rabiot’s quality had he left, and Rabiot likely wouldn’t have found a club willing to pay the kind of wages he’s earning at Juve.

Yet by all accounts, the relationship between Veronique and Juve has always been very good, and this proved to be a crucial aspect in Rabiot staying another season in Turin.

Rabiot has turned into somewhat of a leader in the Juve midfield. With everyone around either absence for long periods through injury or inconsistent, Rabiot was the one constant for Max Allegri last season. The 28-year-old had largely flattered to deceive during his three seasons in Italy. Most were unsure of what his best qualities were, he was neither fast nor slow; neither an attacking midfielder nor a defensive one; neither technically brilliant nor inefficient with the ball. Last season it all came together for Rabiot, he scored 11 goals in all competitions, his best season by a considerable distance, and he also produced six assists. He featured 48 times across the season and 47 as a starter – the one reliable midfielder in Allegri’s squad.

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“Juventus for me is home, I have grown and improved on the pitch and as a man here,” said Rabiot on his Instagram account announcing his extension. “ My objective is to give 100% for Juventus and to you the fans.”

With question marks surrounding Paul Pogba’s ability to remain fit considering his recent history and the lack of money to invest in the midfield, Allegri is going to rely ever more on Rabiot, and the Frenchman will be one of the first names on the team sheet every week. Rabiot will likely lead a midfield consisting of Manuel Locatelli, Nicolo Fagioli, Fabio Miretti, Nicolo Rovella and Pogba in 2023-24.

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It’s not a sentence many ever thought would be written, but Rabiot in 2023 has become Juve’s most vital midfielder and, against all odds, a fifth season in Turin awaits.

If he recreates his 2022-23 form next season, then keeping him at the club will be one of the best pieces of business Juve make this summer.