Juventus newcomer Jeff Ekhator undergoes instrumental examinations at J Medical today to determine the full extent of a thigh muscle injury sustained during a pre-season friendly against Basel. According to reports, the 19-year-old forward, who joined from Genoa in a deal valued at around 18 million euros, was forced off after just 28 minutes to make way for Lois Openda.
// RELATED STORIES
Enjoying this article?
Get even more captivating stories by subscribing to our newsletter. It's free!
Subscribe Sekarang →Despite a difficult debut where the young striker touched the ball only six times, Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti remains patient about the player's potential. "He wasn't able to get into the game properly, he got nervous and started feeling this minor pain that limited him. We cannot evaluate him based on this match," Spalletti stated, adding that Ekhator possesses all the qualities of a complete striker but requires time to develop without excessive pressure.
Based on initial medical reports, there is optimism at Continassa that the injury is merely a minor muscle strain requiring brief rest and differentiated training. However, the club's management intends to exercise extreme caution ahead of their upcoming trip to Liege, avoiding any unnecessary risks with the young talent early in the pre-season.
Editorial team observations indicate that a decision regarding Ekhator's immediate future will be made later in the transfer window once the attacking unit is fully defined. While Juventus values his long-term potential, the club is carefully weighing whether to keep him in Turin or send him on loan to secure regular playing time.
According to club sources, potential loan destinations such as Sassuolo or a return to Genoa are being considered to ensure the 2006-born forward continues his development effectively. For now, Spalletti intends to monitor Ekhator closely during training once recovered, praising the player's dedicated attitude and strong work ethic.