It took a remarkable night in Turin for Lloyd Kelly to finally silence his doubters. In a dramatic Derby d’Italia, where Kenan Yildiz, Khephren Thuram and Vasilije Adzic each produced unforgettable moments, few would have expected the English defender to be among Juventus’ heroes. Yet it was Kelly who broke the deadlock, opening the scoring against Inter in stunning fashion – a goal that may force many to reconsider their judgement of his arrival.
The Goal Against Inter
IlBianconero report that the Allianz Stadium was stunned when Kelly lashed in a perfectly struck first-time finish into the corner. It was his first goal for Juventus, and, given the occasion and the quality of the strike, it could hardly have come at a better moment. A defender signed to shore up the backline, Kelly suddenly became decisive in attack too. His finish also highlighted Juventus’ renewed threat from set-pieces, an area that could suit the Englishman’s physical and aerial qualities in the future.
From Uncertainty to Reliability
Signed in the final days of the transfer window for over €20 million from Newcastle, Kelly arrived in Turin surrounded by scepticism. The move was widely criticised, not so much for the player himself, but for the fee and its timing. Many compared the deal unfavourably to the club’s earlier decision to sell Dean Huijsen for a lower sum.
However, Kelly has quietly built momentum. The defender finished last season strongly and has continued to impress under Igor Tudor. Once considered a question mark in Juventus’ squad, he is now showing he can be a solid and reliable presence in the back three. The return of Gleison Bremer has undoubtedly helped, but Kelly’s own composure and left-footed balance have provided a crucial dimension.
Tudor’s Confidence
One person who never lost faith in Kelly is Tudor. From his early remarks, which were anything but for appearance’s sake, to his consistent team selections, the coach has insisted on Kelly’s importance. The Englishman has started every match this season, just as he played regularly when available last spring.
For Tudor, Kelly is the left-footed central defender he does not want to give up. With Juan Cabal returning, competition is now present, but the coach has made it clear through his choices that Kelly is indispensable as long as his performances remain at this level.
Rethinking the Transfer
The question now is whether it is time to reassess the deal that brought Kelly to Turin. The financial side of the transfer may remain questionable, but increasingly, the conversation is shifting back to the pitch – where Kelly is answering doubts with performances rather than words.
The debate should no longer be whether he justifies the price tag, but instead whether he belongs at the heart of this Juventus team. For now, the evidence is clear: Kelly is not only part of Tudor’s plans, but one of the players reshaping his story in black and white.
