What Vlahovic’s Juventus return means for summer signing David

Dusan Vlahovic is closing in on a return to action after over three months on the treatment table, but what does his presence in the squad mean for Juventus’s summer signing Jonathan David? 

Vlahovic nears Juventus return: Where does David fit in?

Vlahovic has been out of action with an adductor injury he suffered during Juventus’s 2-1 win over Cagliari on November 29, an issue which required surgery to fix.

He had an operation in London, has been working on his rehabilitation since then and as of Wednesday, has returned to training with the first-team group at Continassa, albeit partially. 

Reports earlier this week suggest that the Serbian, who is into the final year of his contract with the Old Lady, could potentially be called up to the matchday squad to face Pisa in Serie A on Saturday. 

In Vlahovic’s absence, and with Arkadiusz Milik also out long term, Juventus have been left without a ‘traditional’ no.9 in their attacking ranks: Summer signings David and Lois Openda have both played there previously, but neither have particularly convinced when starting alone at centre-forward in Serie A. 

The Bianconeri has considered bringing in a new striker during the January transfer window given Vlahovic’s injury and his contract situation, but a move for Fenerbahce’s Youssef En-Nesyri fell through towards the end of the January transfer window, 

Vlahovic will soon be able to lend Juventus a hand on the pitch, and there have been reports that talks over a potential contract extension are progressing as well. 

Vlahovic’s return does not spell the end of David’s days in the Bianconeri attack, though, as reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest that Luciano Spalletti is keen to play both attackers in the same line-up, with the Serbian leading the line and the Canadian playing off him a second striker or no.10 role. 

This would still allow Juve to field Kenan Yildiz and either Francisco Conceicao or Weston McKennie out wide as well.