Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that Juventus initially hoped Gleison would significantly improve his ball distribution and offensive organization, but this has not materialized.

Despite being Juventus's strongest defender, Gleison is considered expendable because his characteristics don't align with Spalletti's preferences for center-backs. His situation is paradoxical: he's a team leader and a central figure in the dressing room who wants to stay in Turin and continue competing for titles. Yet the club's technical planning doesn't view him as a core player. Juventus values him at €40 million, and Bayern Munich continues to pursue him. The question arises: What exactly does Spalletti dislike about this center-back's playing style?

Gleison and Spalletti's Vision

To understand this, recall a statement Spalletti made months after joining Juventus. In January, the Tuscan coach said: "Gleison is a very strong player in all aspects. He still needs to improve on the ball, but he has huge potential. In an instant, he can break through the opponent's lines." In the following months, however, Spalletti realized Gleison hadn't progressed in offensive organization. He remains highly reliable in marking and positioning, but lacks a crucial ability in ball possession and advancing play—key requirements for the former Italy coach's system. By season's end, Spalletti's criticism of his defenders effectively signaled openness to transfer moves. After drawing with Verona, he said: "We have Gleison and Kelly, both individually strong defenders who excel at one-on-one marking, physicality, and defending. But they may lack some abilities in organizing play, carrying the ball forward, and creating chances. That's not their strength—their strength is defending, and we must work with these characteristics."

Gleison's Organizational Statistics

The numbers tell the story. According to DataMb statistics, the 29-year-old Brazilian defender ranks in the 90th percentile for winning duels—meaning only 10% of defenders in Europe's top seven leagues are stronger. Yet his organizational metrics are average: forward passing accuracy ranks at the 62nd percentile, progressive passes completed at 54th percentile, and progressive carries at 43rd percentile. A progressive pass shortens the distance to goal by at least 20 meters; a progressive carry involves dribbling forward and significantly closing the distance to the opponent's goal. Under Spalletti's football philosophy, defending alone is no longer sufficient for a center-back, which explains Gleison's paradoxical situation.

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