The first batch of Juventus players have reported for preseason duty

The ninth day of July signals the end of summer. Well, not technically, of course, but it is the first day that Juventus players and coaches will begin their preseason preparations for the 2018-19 season.

The vast majority of Juventus’ contingent have officially arrived in Turin and undergone all their necessary check-ups at J Medical prior to Max Allegri holding the first of two training sessions on Monday. It will also be the day that summer signing Emre Can will be presented to the media with a 2:30 p.m. local time press conference at Allianz Stadium.

But, most importantly, it’s the day that signals the official beginning of the season. Or preseason. There’s a couple of different ways to word it. Either way, there’s something other than Cristiano Ronaldo transfer rumors to talk about now. We have actual Juventus players in Turin taking the field and getting ready for their latest Serie A title defense.

That makes me happy.

In case you’re wondering who exactly Allegri will probably be yelling at during the two training sessions, Juventus’ official website has provided us with one:

Alex Sandro Lobo Silva

Audero Emil

Barzagli Andrea

Beltrame Stefano

Bernardeschi Federico

Beruatto Pietro

Cancelo Joao

Caldara Mattia

Chiellini Giorgio

Clemenza Luca

Del Favero Mattia

Del Sole Ferdinando

De Sciglio Mattia

Di Pardo Alessandro

Emre Can

Fagioli Nicolò

Favilli Andrea

Fernandes Leandro

Macek Roman

Magnani Giangiacomo

Marchisio Claudio

Oliveira Da Silva Rogerio

Padovan Stefano

Pereira Matheus

Perin Mattia

Pinsoglio Carlo

Pjanic Miralem

Rugani Daniele

Sturaro Stefano

As you can see, it’s a mixture of players who were with the first team a year ago, out on loan at various clubs, from Juve’s primavera squad and the big three signings from the summer transfer window to date (Can, Cancelo and Perin). There are also two others who would be on the last if they were healthy — Leonardo Spinazzola and Grigoris Kastanos — as well as all the players who spent part of their summer in Russia at the World Cup.

EDIT: After previously being excluded from the notable absentees, we’re adding Moise Kean to the list since he is currently on international duty with the Italy Under-19 team.

Of those 28 players listed above, I’d wager that at least 10 of them will either be sent out on loan or sold for a decent chunk of change before the transfer window comes to a close next month. There are definitely some interesting youngsters on that list — Luca Clemenza, I see you there — and we could very well see some of them make the trip over with the squad when to the United States for the three International Champions Cup games and the MLS All-Star Game.