'Sunday league player': Lloyd Kelly receives damning reviews in Italian media after making his Juventus debut

Newcastle United offloaded defender Lloyd Kelly just six months after his arrival at the club with Italian giants Juventus opting to take the defender on loan for the remainder of the season with an obligation to buy in the summer.

It was seen by many as a smart move by Newcastle as the versatile defender failed to make any sort of impact at the club since his arrival.

Eddie Howe argued that he still had a part to play in his squad, but in terms of just adding much-needed depth, we couldn't see what it was.

Juventus will make Kelly's move a permanent one in the summer should they qualify for Europe, which is very likely to happen. In which case, Newcastle will net around £20 million. Not bad for someone we picked up for free.

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Lloyd Kelly was compared to a Sunday league player after Juventus debut

Kelly came off the bench to make his Juventus debut on Friday night and to say his reception in the media was mixed would be putting it nicely.

Calciomercato gave Kelly a 5/10 score in their player ratings, stating:

“Rather timid impact and clearly poor execution. (No, he didn’t give confidence).”

But JuveFC.com were a tad more forgiving with a 6.5/10 rating, stating: “Settled quickly into the rhythm of the game.”

Juventus outlet Max Statman didn't hold back with their assessment of Kelly, giving him a 3/10 and comparing him to a Sunday League player.

“He didn’t show any effort at all today, took him a whole of five minutes on debut to get megged. He has the attitude of a Sunday League player walking around when Como were in deadly positions.”

Thiago Motta was more pleased with Kelly than the media were

Kelly's gaffer, Thiago Motta was much less critical in his assessment, telling the press (via The Shields Gazette) that he is impressed with his physicality.

“Lloyd very good. First of all, he is a fantastic singer [in his initiation]!

“He is a shy boy, he came in the right way. Physically he is very good, he can play as a central defender and also as a full-back. I saw him with great confidence. He suffered some fouls, but just like all the others who arrived.”