Kwadwo Asamoah serving reminder of class as Juventus career winds down

As Kwadwo Asamoah appears to be nearing the exit door at Juventus, the Ghana international continues to serve ample reminders of his enduring quality and the class that has made him a mainstay in Turin.

The wideman continues to be linked with a move away from the club, with historic reported interest from Turkey more recently replaced with consistent links to a move much closer to home.

Indeed, according to reports in the Italian media, the 29-year-old is primed to move to Internazionale when his contract comes to an end on June 30, having not yet agreed terms on a renewal with Juve.

Corriere dello Sport report that a deal with Inter has already been accepted, with Asabob set to put pen to paper on a three-year deal which will see him rake in a salary of €3 million, with Tuttosport adding that he’s set to receive €300,000 in bonuses.

It’s not bad going for a player who continues to be perceived as a utility player—albeit a valuable one—at Turin.

After he endured two seasons—2014/15 and 2015/16—which were completed ravaged by injury, midfielder steadily returned to regular action last term.

He made 18 appearances in the league—the same as in the previous two seasons combined—and already has 12 outings under his belt this term.

Despite being one of Juve’s most experienced players, he continues to primarily deputise for Alex Sandro, although with the Brazilian falling short of his own standards this term—or, as against Lazio, being employed in a more advanced role—Asamoah has begun to feature more regularly in 2018.

Don’t expect him to start in the return leg of the Champions League Last 16 clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening, but Asamoah’s recent performances have served a reminder of why he is such a rare and valuable asset to Massimiliano Allegri’s side.

In the win against Lazio, he demonstrated both facets of the ability that make him such an excellent option at left wing-back.

Defensively, his positioning was astute, he was alert with his timing and off-the-ball tracking, and he tackled well. Asamoah has averaged two tackles and 1.1 interceptions per match so far this campaign.

Impressively, Juve haven’t conceded a goal with Asamoah on the pitch since November 19, and as a key member of the team’s defensive unit during this spell, the Ghanaian deserves a share of the credit usually reserved for his more high-profile defensive teammates.

Going forward, the energy that marked him out as such a fine box-to-box midfielder earlier in his career remains evident, and Asamoah channels it effectively. He was regularly seen charging down the outside, overlapping, and looking to trouble his opposite number.

The versatile talent has already won five Serie A titles during his prolific—if frustrating—career in Turin, and could end the season with a sixth crown if the Old Lady overhaul Napoli.

For many of those honours, Asamoah has been sidelined or played merely a peripheral role due to injury or competition.

This season, however, as Juve continue to compete on various fronts, the former Udinese star is demonstrating, on a consistent basis, why he remains such a valuable option for Allegri.