Big Bet, New Role: Can Spalletti Turn Koopmeiners into Juventus’s Defensive Linchpin?
3 November 2025
Big bet, big questions
The Dutch midfielder Teun Koopmeiners joined Juventus in the dying hours of the 2024 summer window, moving from Atalanta for about €51 million. The transfer was a blockbuster investment wrapped in controversy, as fans and pundits debated whether he would fit Juve's system and mood under a new coach.
Juventus appointed Luciano Spalletti as the manager, signaling an ambition to reshape the squad and extract the best from players like Koopmeiners. The plan was to maximize his versatility, not restrict him to a single fixed position. The club hoped the move would send a clear message: Juve is rebuilding with intention.
From midfield to defense: a radical shift
Koopmeiners has been deployed in a novel position in Spalletti's plan, shifting to a central defender spot in a three-man backline. The first extended look at this experiment came in the league match against Cremonese, where he showed composure on the ball and a surprising ease in defensive duties.
In the past, the player had wandered across midfield roles under different coaches, from attacking midfielder to holding midfielder and even as a false nine. Under Thiago Motta and then Tudor, he struggled to settle and demonstrate a clear, defined impact in one slot.
Spalletti's decision to place him at centre-back appears to be the culmination of a broader rethink, aiming to preserve his ball-playing qualities while shoreing up Juve's structure. The early signs suggest a promising start, but the real test will be consistency across fixtures and competitions.
La Gazzetta dello Sport highlighted Koopmeiners' journey, noting that while the defender's role isn't brand new, Juve's surprising tactical pivot invites a close re-examination of his international and club form, reminiscent of his earliest days at Alkmaar when he showed his versatility.
None of this guarantees a long-term solution: the move is a bold experiment in a league known for its tactical nuance, where one good game can turn the narrative, and one poor showing can renew the debate about his value.
As the season advances, Koopmeiners must adapt to a new rhythm, coordinate with a three-man backline, and maintain his aggressive ball progression. If he can stabilize the role, he may re-emerge as a central figure in Juventus' lineup, possibly even in the Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon.
The overarching question remains: can this plan translate into results? If Koopmeiners thrives in defense, Juve will have demonstrated that a €51 million investment can yield a multi-dimensional asset rather than a one-trick midfielder. If not, the transfer will be remembered as a high-stakes gamble that did not pay off, unless, of course, it funds next summer's rebuild.
For now, one successful appearance has quieted much of the winter-saga chatter and rekindled faith in Spalletti's vision. The plan's success hinges on continued performance, discipline, and a willingness to reinvent the player and the team in the same breath.
In a season where Napoli might have welcomed him with open arms, Juventus insists on custom-fitting Koopmeiners into a role that can finally make him thrive. If the experiment works, everyone wins: the coach, the player, and the club.
Punchline 1: If Koopmeiners nails this defender thing, Juventus may finally understand what a backline is for—stopping goals, not just counting them.
Punchline 2: And if this plan flops, well, at least the transfer fee will keep the January gossip going—defense never looked so expensive or entertaining.
