Actually it is quite disturbing that Elia is not playing at all. Estigarribia beat him to the 1st team against Genoa. Elia seems way down the pecking order. When Giaccherini comes back, when would he play? Because he can't speak Italian? I don't buy that. If that was the case, every foreign player can't play for a year until they learn the language? Bollocks.
I am not blaming Conte here (but in a way I am). I mean, if he is lousy in training or whatever (which explains why he can't get a game), then it was the wrong decision to get him. He wasn't cheap. He cost us almost EU10m. Based on that alone, he should be better than Esti, Giaccherini, and Pepe combined.
Before the season started, on paper at least, people thought this would be the starting team: Buffon-Lichsteiner-Barzagli-Chiellini-De Ceglie-Krasic-Pirlo-Vidal-Elia-Matri-Vucinic/Quags......with a proper CB and LB to come in the January window. Now it seems our starting line-up is: Buffon-Lichsteiner-Barzagli-Bonucci-Chiellini-Pepe-Pirlo-Vidal-Marchisio-Giaccherini-Vucinic. Looks much weaker on paper at least.
I fear Juve may totally revolutionize the squad again in January by selling Krasic and Quagliarella and settling for a 2nd rate defender. They may even sell Elia next summer at this rate.