Former Watford sporting director Cristiano Giaretta claimed his colleague Cristiano Giungoli was ‘not wrong’ to sign Douglas Luiz at Juventus as he believes the Bianconeri only need to ‘wait’ for him to express his full potential.
The Brazil international joined the Old Lady from Aston Villa last summer in a deal worth €50m, which also included youngsters Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior, but he has struggled to live up to expectations tied to his price tag so far, as his rough start to the season drew heavy criticism.
Now at Cypriot club Pafos FC, Giaretta worked for Watford from 2020 to 2023 and saw his side take on Aston Villa on several occasions, which left him with ‘no doubt’ that the 26-year-old is a ‘great midfielder’.
Ex-Watford Giaretta has ‘no doubt’ on Douglas Luiz: ‘He’s a great midfielder’
“Cristiano Giuntoli was not wrong about Douglas Luiz, Juventus signed a very good player last summer,” Giaretta told Tuttosport, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb.
“I faced the Brazilian [with Watford] several times in recent years in the Premier League and I have no doubt that he’s a great midfielder.
“He proved it in the world’s most important and difficult league, so they just need to wait for him.”
Douglas Luiz’s poor displays raised questions over Juventus’ heavy investment, as the midfielder also gave away two penalties in his last two appearances against Leipzig and Cagliari.
However, Giaretta believes his performances could have been affected by ‘lack of trust’ given the limited playing time he was given so far under coach Thiago Motta.
“Changing country and league is always complicated for everyone, we saw a lot of important players struggling in their first months in a new team recently.
“Following the limited playing time in these first months he may have felt a lack of trust, which ends up affecting the serenity of a player,” he added.
“However, I’m convinced that Douglas Luiz will emerge and do well in Italy too, I have no doubt.
“They just need to be patient and make him feel esteemed by the environment.”
