Former Aston Villa stars Douglas Luiz and Alisha Lehmann have faced significant challenges since making the move to Juventus, and their dream of playing together at the Serie A club may not last much longer. The couple’s transfer to Juventus in the summer was a rare and ambitious move, but the reality of life in Italy has not matched their expectations.
When Lehmann arrived at Juventus, just a week after Luiz completed his £42 million ($55m) transfer, she expressed excitement about the prospect of playing alongside her partner. For them, the move to Juventus was more than just a football decision—it was the fulfillment of a personal dream. Their relationship had started back in 2021 when Lehmann joined Aston Villa, where Luiz had been a prominent player for two years. Their romance blossomed quickly, and despite a brief breakup in late 2022, they reconciled a year later, and their bond became stronger than ever.
Luiz, in particular, flourished during the 2023-24 season at Villa, playing a key role in the club’s remarkable campaign. He was instrumental in helping Villa secure a fourth-place finish in the Premier League, earning the club its first Champions League qualification in 41 years. Villa fans saw Luiz as a vital player in Unai Emery’s plans, and his departure to Juventus came as a significant blow. Villa, however, faced financial pressures that led them to make the difficult decision to sell Luiz in order to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.
Despite still having two years left on her contract with Villa Women, Lehmann decided to follow Luiz to Juventus, completing what is known as a ‘couples transfer.’ The hope was that both would thrive in Turin, balancing their personal and professional lives at the same club. However, their Italian adventure has not unfolded as they had hoped. Both players have struggled to make a significant impact on their new team, and unless things improve soon, they may be forced to reconsider their futures in Italy.
Luiz’s situation has been particularly challenging. Once a trusted figure in Villa’s midfield, the Brazilian has found himself on the fringes of Juventus’s first team. Despite being a marquee signing in the summer, he has featured in only nine matches so far, with just two starts. Adding to his struggles, Luiz has been responsible for giving away two penalties in crucial moments, one in a Champions League match against RB Leipzig and another in Serie A against Cagliari, which led to dropped points. His performances have been overshadowed by the strong form of other midfielders at Juventus, and coach Thiago Motta has expressed concerns about Luiz’s physical condition and tactical understanding.
Luiz’s lack of consistent playing time has raised questions about his future at Juventus. He suffered a muscle injury in October, which has kept him sidelined for several games, including a Champions League match against Villa. Luiz’s absence was felt at Villa Park, where he watched the match from the stands. The Brazilian’s future at Juventus looks uncertain, and reports have suggested that he may be loaned back to Villa in January to regain his confidence and form. Villa’s sporting director Monchi has even hinted at the possibility, praising Luiz’s abilities and expressing that he would welcome his return to the club.
In contrast, Lehmann has had a relatively smoother transition into life at Juventus, even if her role at the club has been limited. She has become a popular figure among her teammates and frequently shares updates about her life on social media. However, her contributions on the pitch have been minimal, as she has mainly been used as a substitute. Although she has scored two goals in Serie A, including a memorable finish on her debut, she has struggled to secure a starting spot in the team. Coach Massimiliano Canzi has shown little faith in Lehmann during critical matches, leaving her out of important Champions League fixtures, including losses to Arsenal and Bayern Munich. Despite Juventus’ early exit from the competition, Lehmann’s involvement in the final group stage matches is expected to be minimal, as the coach looks to preserve his first-choice players.
While Lehmann’s future at Juventus seems more stable than Luiz’s, she too has yet to prove herself at the highest levels of competition. Her role at Juventus could become more prominent as the season progresses, but for now, she remains a squad player, fighting for minutes against a talented group of attacking players. A move away from Juventus seems unlikely, but whether she continues to accept a limited role in the squad remains to be seen.
For Luiz, however, the January transfer window could prove crucial. Juventus’s manager, Thiago Motta, will need to decide whether to continue to invest in Luiz or to allow him to leave the club. Luiz is at a crucial point in his career and will not want to waste any more time on the bench. Villa, meanwhile, could offer him a chance to return to familiar surroundings and reclaim his place in the first team. There has even been talk of Luiz making a return to Villa on loan, which could give him the opportunity to rebuild his confidence and rediscover his best form under Emery.
Off the field, Luiz and Lehmann have also faced personal challenges. In a troubling incident last month, their Turin home was broken into while they were both away on match duties. The burglars stole watches and valuable jewelry, including items belonging to both players worth a total of €500,000. The break-in was a frightening experience for the couple and has added to the stress of adapting to life in a new country.
Adjusting to life in Italy has not been easy for Luiz and Lehmann. Despite feeling comfortable in their new surroundings, it is possible that both miss the familiarity and support of their time in England. Given the difficulties they have faced so far in Turin, it wouldn’t be a surprise if their paths diverge in the coming months. While a return to Villa for both players seems unlikely, Luiz’s future at Juventus is very much up in the air. As for Lehmann, her continued role as a squad player at Juventus might be enough for her to stay, but her ambitions may eventually lead her to seek more playing time elsewhere.
With the winter transfer window on the horizon, both Luiz and Lehmann may have some difficult decisions to make. Their joint move to Juventus has not gone according to plan, and the next few months could determine whether they stay at the club or return to England for a fresh start. For now, it’s clear that their time in Turin has been far from the fairytale they envisioned.