Juventus Explain Why Edon Zhegrova Cannot Replace Manuel Locatelli in Europa League Squad
Juventus chief executive Giovanni Carnevali has clarified why Edon Zhegrova cannot be added to the club’s UEFA Europa League squad as a replacement for Manuel Locatelli. Speaking at the shareholders’ meeting, Carnevali said the competition’s squad-registration rules require Juventus to replace Locatelli with another player who meets the same domestic training criteria.
That means Zhegrova is not eligible for this particular change. Instead, Juventus would have to turn to Ekhator, whom Carnevali identified as the appropriate replacement under the regulations. The explanation highlights how UEFA squad rules can shape a club’s options, even when a player may otherwise appear to be a natural choice for a matchday squad.
UEFA registration rules determine Juventus’ options
Carnevali’s comments focused on Locatelli’s status as a player trained in Italy. Under the registration requirements relevant to Juventus’ situation, a player in that category cannot simply be replaced by any available teammate. The replacement must also satisfy the required training classification.
“Locatelli is a player trained in Italy and can only be replaced by a player trained in Italy: so Ekhator, not Zhegrova,” Carnevali said at the meeting.
The distinction is important because squad registration is not based solely on a coach’s tactical preference or a player’s position. UEFA competitions include requirements concerning locally trained players, designed to encourage clubs to develop footballers within their domestic systems. When a club makes a permitted change to its list, those requirements can limit which players are eligible to take the vacant place.
For Juventus, the consequence is straightforward: Zhegrova cannot be registered as Locatelli’s direct replacement under the rule Carnevali described. Ekhator is the option that fits the relevant category. The decision does not necessarily reflect a judgment about either player’s ability or importance; it is a matter of regulatory eligibility.
Why the ruling matters ahead of Juventus’ next match
Juventus are scheduled to face AZ in the Europa League on 6 November 2026, with the fixture listed for 04:00. The squad issue gives the club a practical administrative challenge as it prepares for the upcoming match and plans for the wider European campaign.
Locatelli’s classification matters because clubs must manage their UEFA lists within specific registration rules. A change that seems simple from the outside can depend on the category assigned to the departing player and the status of the proposed replacement. If those categories do not match the applicable requirements, a club may be unable to make the alteration it wants.
That can have implications for squad depth. Coaches routinely assess injuries, form, tactical matchups and the demands of a busy calendar when selecting their preferred group. But in European football, those sporting considerations operate alongside administrative limits. Juventus must therefore balance its plans for the AZ game with the players it is legally able to register.
How locally trained player rules shape European squads
UEFA’s locally trained player provisions are intended to support the development of footballers in a club’s domestic environment. Broadly, the rules distinguish players according to where and for how long they were trained during their formative years. The precise application depends on the competition regulations and the circumstances of each squad change.
These requirements can influence recruitment and squad planning well before a European match arrives. Clubs need to consider not only a player’s role, age and contract, but also how that player contributes to the registration balance. A team with several internationally experienced players may still need to preserve places for footballers who meet domestic or club-trained criteria.
Carnevali’s explanation offers a clear example of that process. Although Zhegrova may be under consideration as part of Juventus’ wider playing group, his registration profile does not meet the condition attached to replacing Locatelli. Ekhator, by contrast, is the player Carnevali named as eligible for the change.
What the decision means for Juventus’ football plans
The announcement does not, by itself, reveal whether Ekhator will feature against AZ or what role the coaching staff might assign him. Being eligible for registration and being selected for a match are separate decisions. The club can address the first through UEFA’s rules, while the coach remains responsible for evaluating fitness, form and tactical suitability.
Similarly, the restriction should not be read as a broader verdict on Zhegrova’s standing at Juventus. Carnevali’s statement was specifically about replacing a player in a particular registration category. It does not establish that Zhegrova is unavailable for other competitions, nor does it explain whether he could be included through a different process if the regulations and squad circumstances allowed it.
For supporters following Juventus news, the key takeaway is that the club’s European choices are being shaped by eligibility as much as by footballing preference. The Locatelli situation demonstrates why squad announcements can involve detailed technical rules that are not immediately visible to fans. Even a seemingly direct replacement may be blocked if the incoming player does not meet the required classification.
Juventus prediction: selection and squad depth remain key
Any prediction about Juventus’ approach to the AZ fixture should account for the distinction between registration and match selection. Carnevali’s comments point to Ekhator as the eligible replacement for Locatelli, but they do not confirm that he will start or play. Juventus’ eventual lineup will depend on the coach’s assessment of the available squad and the demands of the Europa League encounter.
The broader lesson is that European campaigns require careful planning beyond the pitch. Injury management, player rotation and domestic training quotas can all affect a club’s options during a demanding schedule. Juventus will need to navigate those factors while aiming to maintain competitive depth for the AZ match and the rest of the tournament.
Carnevali’s clarification removes uncertainty over one specific question: under the rule he cited, Zhegrova cannot take Locatelli’s place on the UEFA list. Ekhator is the eligible alternative. What happens next will depend on Juventus’ final registration decisions and the coach’s plans for the upcoming football fixture.
