TheSportsCampus

Nicklas Bendtner's nightmare start to his Juventus career could be prolonged as the club's coaching staff ruled him out of action for some time due to his lack of match fitness, according to the Metro. The club's supporters are skeptical of the player's skill level especially since the club had been linked with stars like Robin Van Persie, Luis Suarez, Stevan Jovetic and Gonzalo Higuain over the summer.

The striker joined Juventus on a loan deal with the option of making the move permanent. The player had lost his place in Arsenal's first team and spent last season on loan with Sunderland. Bendtner reportedly refused to partake in the Gunners' pre-season friendlies to stay fit for a transfer. However, the plan seems to have backfired as he has now put on considerable weight and will have to shed the extra kilos before being handed his Serie A debut.

The club have reportedly put the 24 year-old on a strict diet to make him match ready at the earliest. But his inactivity since playing for Denmark in the Euros will mean that it may take upto two weeks before he makes his first Serie A appearance.

Former Juve midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi meanwhile said about the Danish striker, "I will not say Bendtner is a bad player but he does not help improve Juventus either."

Juve will have to pay Arsenal £5 million if they wish to make his move to Turin permanent. But it would take a dream run for the Dane this season to convince Juve's chiefs to pay the amount next summer.