Lloyd Kelly’s move from Newcastle United to Juventus was met with scepticism, and his early months in Turin did little to ease concerns. Initially signed on loan in January with an obligation to buy for €20m, the defender was criticised heavily in the Italian press during his first 12 Serie A appearances.
The Englishman, now 26, struggled for rhythm and was even unfavourably compared with Dean Huijsen, the highly rated youngster he effectively replaced in the squad. Many questioned whether Juventus had overpaid for a player who had been only a squad option at St James’ Park.
But recent weeks have brought a turnaround. Kelly has now started three matches in a row under new manager Igor Tudor and capped that run by scoring in Juve’s thrilling 4-3 Derby d’Italia win over Inter Milan on Saturday.
Lloyd Kelly winning over Juventus critics
Italian outlet Il Bianconero report that Kelly arrived amidst a “thousand criticisms” but is slowly shifting perceptions. Tudor’s tactical setup appears to suit him, allowing the defender to showcase his physicality, aerial strength, and composure on the ball.
“The defender is gaining Tudor’s trust and reassessments are being made about him.” — Il Bianconero
For Kelly, this is also the first time he has enjoyed a consistent run of starts in over a year, having been limited to a bit-part role during his final season at Newcastle. Regular football has brought confidence, and confidence has begun to bring performances.
Lloyd Kelly 2025/26 season snapshot (Juventus)
| Stat | Lloyd Kelly |
|---|---|
| Serie A Appearances | 3 starts in a row (12 overall last season) |
| Goals | 1 (vs Inter Milan) |
| Transfer Fee | €20m (obligation to buy from Newcastle) |
| Position | Centre-back / Left-back |
source: Il Bianconero – 15 September 2025
Analyst verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Kelly’s perseverance is paying off:
“Lloyd Kelly took plenty of criticism when he arrived at Juventus, and much of it was tied to the fee rather than his ability. But football is about timing and systems. Igor Tudor has given him trust and continuity, and suddenly the defender looks much more assured. Scoring against Inter Milan in such a dramatic win is the kind of moment that shifts public perception quickly.”
He added: “Kelly has the profile to thrive in Serie A — strong, disciplined, and technically tidy. If he builds on this momentum, he could prove €20m was good business after all.”
Key insights
- Lloyd Kelly joined Juventus permanently from Newcastle for €20m after an initial loan.
- His early months drew heavy criticism and comparisons with Dean Huijsen.
- Under Igor Tudor, he has now started three games in a row.
- Scored in Juventus’ 4-3 win over Inter Milan, a turning point in perception.
- Regular playing time is helping rebuild his confidence after a difficult Newcastle spell.
What’s next for Kelly and Juventus
Juventus face a crucial run of fixtures as they look to establish consistency under Tudor. For Kelly, continued starts will be vital to cementing his place in the backline and silencing those who doubted his signing.
If he maintains this level, the narrative could quickly shift from “overpriced gamble” to “smart long-term investment.”
👉 Can Lloyd Kelly continue his resurgence and establish himself as a Juventus regular this season?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 16 Sep 2025 10:35
Obviously Newcastle got him for free with the idea of selling him. He was never going to be a starter for Newcastle but happy that he's doing good for Juve.
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