Cuadrado arrival suggests new system for Juventus

A change of playing system was crucial to Massimiliano Allegri leading Juventus to last season's domestic double and the UEFA Champions League final – and the signing of Juan Cuadrado could signify a fresh reshuffle.

Allegri was highly praised last term for his flexibility. Taking over from Antonio Conte, who had led Juve to three straight Scudetti, he started out using his predecessor's template but switched to a 4-3-1-2 in November to make better use of his four midfield stars: Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba, Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal.

Pirlo and Vidal left Juventus this summer, as did another key man in Carlos Tévez. While Juve moved quickly to replace the Argentinian forward, signing attackers like Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandžukić and Simone Zaza, they were more quiet in midfield, adding only Sami Khedira, who promptly was sidelined through injury. With Marchisio also missing out, Juve started the new season by losing 1-0 against Udinese Calcio on Sunday, their first-ever defeat in a home Serie A opener.

Vidal played just behind the forward in Juve's 4-3-1-2 system last term. When the Chilean international was sold to Bayern München this summer, the Bianconeri were linked with attacking midfielders such as Mario Götze, Julian Draxler and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Instead, 27-year-old Colombia winger Cuadrado arrives on loan from Chelsea, who he joined at the start of 2015 from Fiorentina. That could be a sign that Allegri intends a different approach compared to last season.

"This opportunity arrived and we took it," Juve general director Giuseppe Marotta said. "Now it is up to Allegri to find the best formation for the players we have."

Will 4-3-3 be the solution to the puzzle? It is certainly a possibility. Regardless of the playing system, however, Juve seem set to put more focus on the flanks if last week's signing of wing-back Alex Sandro from Porto is anything to go by. A striker with the aerial prowess of Mandžukić could certainly benefit from some good crosses from both flanks after all.

Juan Cuadrado failed to shine at Chelsea©AFP/Getty Images

Cuadrado was widely considered one of the best players in Serie A before leaving Fiorentina to join Chelsea for over €30m. However, he failed to have an impact – or even score – in the Premier League, playing only 13 games with the Blues. A star of the Colombia side which reached the quarter-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, scoring against Japan and providing four assists, he quickly became surplus to José Mourinho's requirements.

A similar situation to new Roma forward Mohamed Salah, who shone last season while replacing Cuadrado on loan at Fiorentina after failing to find space at Chelsea. "I have joined one of the best teams in Europe,” Cuadrado said on his arrival in Turin. "I'm here to help the team defend the title and to give my very best, 100% in every training session and every game."

Will he return the player who earned himself the nickname 'Vespa' – after the famous Italian scooter – for his unstoppable runs on the right flank? Juve, obviously, believe so. And are ready to mutate once again for his benefit.