Why Spalletti prefers Kim over Bremer

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti sees Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae as the ideal profile to elevate the Bianconeri’s build-up play and take the team to the next level.

In modern football, especially at elite clubs, defending is no longer just about marking opponents, winning duels and making tackles.

A top-class centre-back is also expected to contribute in possession, helping the team progress the ball and create attacking opportunities from deep.

This is an area where Spalletti believes Juventus must improve, and it is one of the reasons why Kim has emerged as a major transfer target.

A Special Connection Between Spalletti and Kim

The relationship between Spalletti and Kim dates back to their successful spell together at Napoli, where they won the Serie A title in 2022-23. The Italian coach has never hidden his admiration for the South Korean defender.

“Kim is a Champions League-level defender, a fantastic person and his execution is simply incredible,” Spalletti once said. Kim, in turn, revealed the mutual respect between the two by stating: “I chose Napoli because of him.”

During Napoli’s title-winning campaign, Kim established himself as one of the best defenders in Italy thanks to his blend of strength, speed and timing.

However, what truly set him apart was his ability to start attacks from the back. He averaged 75 completed passes per game with a remarkable 91 percent accuracy rate, while also recording 93.5 touches per match.

Those qualities have continued at Bayern Munich. According to DataMB statistics, Kim ranked among the Bundesliga’s best defenders last season for completed passes, forward passing percentage, progressive carries and progressive passes.

The Numbers That Separate Kim and Bremer

Spalletti initially believed Bremer could develop similar qualities. Earlier this year, the Juventus coach praised the Brazilian, saying he possessed enormous potential with the ball at his feet and could break opposition lines with his passing.

However, Bremer has struggled to consistently demonstrate those attributes on the pitch. The statistical comparison with Kim highlights a significant gap in possession play.

Last season, Kim averaged more than twice as many forward passes per game as Bremer (20.4 compared to 8.2) and completed over four times as many progressive carries (0.9 compared to 0.2).

For a coach determined to build a Juventus side capable of controlling matches through possession and proactive football, those numbers carry considerable weight.

That is why, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Spalletti would welcome the possibility of replacing Bremer with Kim Min-jae, viewing the Bayern defender as a better fit for the style of football he wants Juventus to play.

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