Lloyd Kelly: Rising Star at Juventus
Former Bournemouth and Newcastle United defender Lloyd Kelly has experienced a remarkable few days, transforming into a cult hero among Juventus fans.
Juventus is no ordinary club; it is one of Italy's most renowned teams and a powerhouse in European football.
On Saturday, Kelly scored his first goal for Juventus, contributing to a thrilling 4-3 victory over last season's Champions League finalists, Inter Milan, in the historic Derby d'Italia.
Just three days later, the former England Under-21 center-back scored a dramatic late equalizer in a sensational 4-4 draw against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. This goal marked a significant milestone as it was the first time an English player had scored for Juventus in the Champions League, making him the second Briton to achieve this feat, following Welshman Aaron Ramsey in 2019.
In the match against Dortmund, Kelly's journey took a turn from villain to hero; he initially conceded a penalty that put his team behind 4-2 in the dying moments. However, Juventus rallied, scoring twice in quick succession to level the match, with Kelly's equalizer coming in the 96th minute.
Four days earlier, Kelly had opened the scoring against Inter, marking the first top-flight goal of his career in his 22nd appearance for Juventus across all competitions. This achievement made him the first English defender to score for the Turin club in Serie A.
Since joining Juventus in February, Kelly had not scored during his time in the Premier League with Bournemouth or Newcastle, with his last goal coming 18 months ago in an FA Cup tie with Bournemouth.
Now, for the first time in his career, he has scored in back-to-back matches, including one of Italy's biggest fixtures and a thrilling Champions League encounter.
Who is Juventus Hero Kelly?
The Bristol-born player initially joined Juventus on loan from Newcastle in February, making the move permanent in the summer for €17.5 million (£15 million) plus add-ons. Kelly began his career in the Bristol City academy and, after eight years, transferred to Bournemouth for £13 million in 2019.
As captain of the Cherries, he became a key player but left when his contract expired in 2024. He followed former manager Eddie Howe to Newcastle on a free transfer, but his tenure there was brief, lasting only six months and 14 appearances.
Upon his arrival, Juventus praised Kelly for his speed, ability to initiate attacks from the back, and tactical awareness, highlighting his effectiveness in aerial challenges. However, he had a rocky start in Turin, with Italian journalist Riccardo Trevisani labeling him a "benchwarmer" before he even played. His Champions League debut received a mediocre rating of 5/10 from Gazzetta dello Sport, which criticized his performance as "bullied" and "horrific." In May, a Gazzetta journalist even referred to him as "the most disastrous signing in the history of Juventus" during a match against Bologna.
Despite the early criticism, Kelly has gained the trust of manager Igor Tudor, who took over in March. He has become a regular starter, disproving his detractors by playing in 11 of his 12 Serie A matches last season and all four games this season. With his recent crucial goals, Kelly has likely secured a special place in the hearts of even the most discerning Juventus fans.
Why Did Kelly Leave Newcastle?
It is noteworthy that Eddie Howe has only signed one player from his Bournemouth tenure to Newcastle: Lloyd Kelly. The defender faced fierce competition for playing time during his brief stay at St James' Park last season. After starting at left-back, he saw Lewis Hall's impressive form earn him an England call-up.
Dan Burn also occupied Kelly's preferred left center-back position, making it difficult for him to find consistent playing time. In his only chance to play in his favored role, when Burn was suspended, Kelly struggled, contributing to West Ham United's opening goal in a 2-0 defeat last November. This match ultimately marked his last top-flight start for Newcastle before moving to Juventus.
Newcastle's decision to part ways with Kelly left them somewhat short-handed, especially given the club's financial regulations at the time, which limited their ability to bring in replacements during the mid-season window. Historically, Newcastle has faced challenges in selling players for substantial fees, and letting Kelly go allowed them to secure a significant profit after acquiring him on a free transfer, ultimately strengthening the club's financial position heading into the summer.
Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. A Champions League Match of the Day will also air on BBC One on Wednesday from 22:40 to 00:00.