How Juventus could line up with En-Nesyri and how David’s role changes

Juventus are closing in on an agreement for Fenerbahce striker Youssef En-Nesyri, but how does Luciano Spalletti intend to use the Morocco international and how does his signing affect Jonathan David’s role in the Bianconeri set-up? 

According to reports on Thursday evening, Juventus have an agreement in place with Fenerbahce on an initial loan deal at €5m plus an option to buy for a further €22m including bonuses. 

Juventus are still awaiting the final approval from the player himself, but are increasingly confident that a deal will be wrapped up after face-to-face talks with sporting director Marco Ottolini on Friday. 

The expected arrival of En-Nesyri will provide Spalletti with a full complement of centre-forwards. 

The Old Lady already have David, Dusan Vlahovic, Lois Openda and Arkadiusz Milik on their books. The issue is that Vlahovic is out with a long-term injury, Milik has hardly played any football over the last two years, while David and Openda do not bring the ‘traditional’ no.9 profile that Spalletti desires. 

What En-Nesyri is expected to Juventus is clinical finishing within the area and also an aerial prowess that the Bianconeri do not currently have in their armoury. A bit like the injured Vlahovic, En-Nesyri is also capable of holding the ball up and linking play, a quality that is seen less often with David and Openda. 

Signing En-Nesyri does not necessarily mean the end of David’s days in the Juventus line-up, though. 

The Canada international is capable of playing in multiple roles, including as a second striker, which gives Spalletti another tactical option should he be tempted to try a two-up-top system. 

David could also feasibly play alongside Kenan Yildiz, behind En-Nesyri in the 3-4-2-1 shape that Spalletti has often used since taking over at the end of October. David could also be used behind En-Nesyri in the 4-2-3-1 system that Spalletti has used most recently. 

Possible Juventus line-ups with En-Nesyri 

(3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; David, Yildiz; En-Nesyri. 

(4-2-3-1): Di Gregroio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; McKennie, David/Miretti, Yildiz; En-Nesyri.