Guglielmo Vicario backed to silence Juventus doubters as Tottenham defence blamed

Guglielmo Vicario has been backed to silence his doubters at Juventus, with sporting director Renzo Nadin insisting Tottenham Hotspur’s defensive problems contributed significantly to the goalkeeper’s difficult campaign.

Vicario is closing in on a return to Serie A with Juventus after falling down the pecking order at Tottenham.

The 29-year-old endured a difficult 2025/26 season as Spurs narrowly avoided relegation and was eventually replaced by Antonin Kinsky.

However, Nadin, the man credited with discovering Vicario, believes the Italian remains a top-level goalkeeper.

Speaking to TuttoJuve, Nadin insisted Juventus are signing a goalkeeper with the experience and maturity required to perform at the highest level.

“Yes, Guglielmo is a high-level goalkeeper. He arrives with the right amount of experience and maturity,” Nadin said.

He also pointed towards former Venezia coach Walter Zenga's assessment of Vicario as one of Italy's best goalkeepers.

Nadin acknowledged the pressure that comes with becoming Juventus' number one, particularly given the club's history of legendary goalkeepers including Gianluigi Buffon and Dino Zoff.

Nevertheless, he expects Vicario to handle that responsibility.

Vicario's final season at Tottenham attracted considerable criticism, but Nadin believes the goalkeeper was too often made to carry the blame for wider problems.

He revealed he watched Tottenham regularly and was particularly unimpressed by their defensive performances.

“I watched a lot of Tottenham matches this season, and their defence always left me very puzzled,” he said.

“It wasn’t always his fault. In my view, some of the goals Guglielmo conceded were down to the defence’s lacklustre performance.”

Nadin also highlighted Vicario's injury problems, arguing they had a greater impact on his performances than was generally recognised.

“The injury he suffered last year was a factor that was greatly underestimated,” he added.

“Unfortunately, it really held him back, especially during the second half of the season.”

There has already been some scepticism surrounding Juventus' decision to move for Vicario following his struggles in England.

Nadin, himself a Juventus supporter, believes those doubts will disappear once the goalkeeper gets an opportunity to establish himself in Turin.

“I’m convinced he’ll win over the sceptics,” he said.

“He has always shown great reliability. I’m certain he’ll prove his worth in Turin, too.”

Vicario is now expected to complete his move to Juventus and begin the next chapter of his career back in Serie A.

The real test will come once competitive football begins. After losing his place at Tottenham, the 29-year-old will have the opportunity to establish himself as Juventus’ new number one and prove that his difficult final season in north London was not a true reflection of his level.

For Tottenham, his departure will also bring further clarity to the goalkeeping hierarchy, with Vicario no longer part of their plans under Roberto De Zerbi.