Lloyd Kelly Newcastle United transfer fee slammed after unconvincing Juventus debut
The defender left Newcastle United and St James' Park in the recent January transfer window
Lloyd Kelly has come under heavy criticism from the Italian press and Juventus fans after a disappointing debut for the Old Lady at the weekend. The defender, who left St James' Park on loan in January, sealed a switch to the Italian giants after just six months on Tyneside.
Newcastle United were able to negotiate a reported £20million obligation-to-buy with the Italian club, in order to part with Kelly last month. It's a deal largely viewed as a positive one given the Toon signed the versatile defender on a free deal in the summer, helping improve their PSR position when it comes to upcoming summer transfer window.
Kelly made his Juve debut in their 2-1 win over Como on Friday, replacing Nicolo Savona in the right-back position at half-time. However, his performance came under fire from those watching on, receiving a 5.5 from all Italian papers.
Gazzetta said: "He had to deal with Strefezza 'on fire' and was not confident." While Corriere dello Sport said: "He played on the left. Took a risk and made a couple of blocks."
Tuttosport believed Kelly was: "Thrown into the fire as a full-back and something must be fixed."
Juve supporters also took to social media to criticise the Englishman's display.
@JUVE22596 said: "I would pay almost 25 million that we paid for Kelly as long as he never steps foot on a football pitch again. I can't feel more insecure."
@Marcusjg27 tweeted: "It took Lloyd Kelly a whole 5 mins to get nutmegged. He's gonna drive us insane his effort doesn't look great either."
@The_AJC_ shared: "Klley has no idea what the referee is saying to him."
Serie A analyst Matteo Bonetti tweeted: "Lloyd Kelly getting terrorized by Gabi Strefezza in his Juventus debut."
Kelly made 14 appearances for the Magpies after his free transfer from Bournemouth in the summer, but that amounted to just 596 minutes on the pitch, notching one assist in that time.