David delivers at Juventus, so why does Spalletti want a new striker?
Luciano Spalletti is looking for a new centre-forward at Juventus, but this doesn’t necessarily mean Jonathan David is destined to lose his starting spot in the Bianconeri’s XI.
Canada international David has finally started to deliver at Juventus, having scored three goals in his last four Serie A appearances. The ex-Lille striker has also provided one assist in the same time span, yet Spalletti explained on Sunday why he’d be glad to welcome a new centre-forward in the January transfer window.
Why Spalletti wants a new Juventus striker
During his post-match interviews with Italian TV and a press conference attended by Football Italia, Spalletti praised Napoli star Rasmus Hojlund: “There are strikers like Hojlund who drop into midfield, you smash the ball into them, and they still make it playable,” he said.
“That’s something we don’t have. David is fine for scoring goals, but when you look further, you also need someone who battles physically with the centre-back. We don’t need a striker to score goals, but for that kind of job. David is very strong, but he can’t do that kind of job.”
David had been strongly criticised by part of the fans and Italian media after awkwardly missing a penalty kick in a home 1-1 draw against Lecce earlier this month.
The Canadian, however, reacted strongly, also helped by the team and the coach’s support. His three goals in the new year prove that the 26-year-old is starting to settle in at his new club, so it’s fair to wonder whether a new signing in attack would hault is adaptation process.
The answer is not necessarily yes.
Even if Spalletti has made his feelings clear regarding the characteristics he expects in a centre-forward, it’s not guaranteed that David would lose his starting spot if a new No.9 lands at the Allianz Stadium.
The Canadian’s improvements in recent weeks have been clear for everyone to see, and surely Spalletti is pleased to see the once-struggling striker now scoring consistently.
A new centre-forward could even enhance David’s ability in front of the goal.
The Old Lady would have an extra weapon up front with a player capable of holding the ball and creating space for other attacking players, including David, who is accustomed to playing with an attacking partner with the Canada national team.
It comes as no surprise that, except for Federico Chiesa, Juventus have been linked with physically-imposing centre forwards in the January transfer window, from Jean-Philippe Mateta to Youssef En-Nesyri and Beto.
Juventus already have a classic No.9 in their team, Dusan Vlahovic, but the Serbian striker is injured and won’t return to action until mid-February or even March.
Furthermore, his contract expires this coming June, and it’s practically certain that he’ll leave Turin as a free agent at the end of the season.
David has already beaten competition from Lois Openda to become the new Juventus striker after Vlahovic’s injury.
At the same time, Spalletti has switched to a 4-2-3-1 system from 3-4-2-1 and seems to have a clear idea of how to further reshape the Juventus attack in the coming months.
The Serie A giants will continue talks for a new striker in the final week of the January transfer window, but even if a new centre-forward arrives, David won’t necessarily lose his place in the team.