What does the future hold for Adrien Rabiot?
There is still major uncertainty around Adrien Rabiot future at Juventus, and that’s why he only signed a short-term contract extension in the summer. What happens next is still unclear, especially with the situation with Paul Pogba.
If it turns out that Juventus have grounds to separate with Pogba because of the recent controversy, it could mean they have more money to offer Rabiot a long-term deal. Still, the big question is what the long-term strategy is for Juve in the future. I think that could include somebody like Rabiot, but certainly offloading a big earner like Pogba would make that more straightforward for them.
As has been widely reported, Rabiot has been of interest to a large number of clubs outside of Italy in the last few years – PSG thought about trying to bring him back, while Premier League clubs such as Manchester United, Newcastle, and others have looked at him as well.
When you look at what’s happened with Sandro Tonali at Newcastle with the betting allegations, and the same with Nicolo Faggioli at Juventus, that could potentially change Rabiot’s situation again. If Newcastle are short in midfield that could bring them back to the table for Rabiot, but, equally, if Juve are without both Pogba and Faggioli in midfield that might make it more important for them to keep Rabiot.
It’s a tricky period, and I think that probably strengths both his and his entourage’s negotiating position, which could eventually lead to a longer-term contract at Juventus, or else a big move elsewhere.
Eli Junior Kroupi enjoying Ligue 1 breakthrough
As we so often see in Ligue 1, we’ve got another young talent bursting onto the scene at the moment in the form of Lorient forward Eli Junior Kroupi. He came through the ranks at Lorient and is a very interesting prospect.
Still just 17 years of age, Kroupi has three goals in seven Ligue 1 appearances this season, and is showing just what a big talent he is for his local club, having risen up through the ranks.
His father might not be that well known outside of France, but he was an Ivory Coast footballer who played for Lorient as well, so he’s got a lot of football pedigree in the family. He’s already been on the radar of those inside French football for some time, as they knew that there was this fantastic young talent developing in the Lorient academy.
It’s been a tricky season for Lorient so far, but he’s been a real ray of light for them so far. He’s one of a number of promising young names in French football right now, and he’s been developing well at international level as well. He’s very prolific, with nine goals in as many games for France’s Under-17s.
While Kroupi is undoubtedly one to watch, it would surprise me if he were to move within the next 12-18 months, but if he got this season and maybe one more campaign of senior football after that under his belt, then it wouldn’t surprise me to see him move to a bigger club in France, or potentially abroad. Still, for now he’s probably best off staying where he is, even if links and interest from bigger clubs is not surprising.