Juventus skipper Giorgio Chiellini out for SIX MONTHS after tearing ACL

JUVENTUS veteran Giorgio Chiellini has been ruled out for SIX MONTHS throwing doubt over his future in the game.

The 35-year-old tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a routine training session.

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Chiellini's long-term absence means £67.5million summer signing Matthijs de Ligt is likely to make his debut against Napoli this weekend.

The Italian defender, who needs surgery, now faces a battle to save his long and illustrious career.

Chiellini has played 507 times for Juventus and scored the only goal of the game in the opening day win over Parma.

Boss Maurizio Sarri was ready to use Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci as his key central defenders this season but he will now need to get back to the drawing board.

It could mean De Ligt will be given his first opportunity to impress following his hugely impressive campaign for Ajax.

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But he faces stiff competition from team-mate Merih Demiral who enjoyed a hugely impressive pre-season.

Demiral joined from Sassuolo this summer in a £16m deal following a successful season last year.

Centre-back Daniele Rugani was free to leave before the deadline on September 2 but Juventus may now reconsider.

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