4 reasons why Juventus are right to target Giacomo Raspadori as Paulo Dybala’s replacement

3. Creativity

Juventus appear to be taking a sensible approach to mitigating the loss of Dybala. Instead of signing a bonafide replacement, they’re attempting to bring in a player capable of balancing a potential front three consisting of Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa as well as a do-it-all midfielder [Sergej Milinkovic-Savic] who provides plenty in the final third.

Raspadori, for me, is a more explosive iteration of Dybala and he’ll fit wonderfully off the left in Allegri’s reported 4-3-3 next season.

From a creative perspective, Raspadori won’t be able to match the genius and innovativeness of Dybala. But, that’s okay. Juventus have been so reliant on the Argentine for a source of creativity this season that it’s often made their attacking play predictable and stagnant against deep-lying defences.

Thus, Juve’s approach to replacing Dybala suggests that they’re trying to diversify their attack and become more varied and unpredictable in the final third.

Raspadori, though, still offers a source of creation. His assist for Davide Frattesi away at Fiorentina this season, where he received possession in the left half-space before delightfully sliding the surging midfielder in behind, is the sort of penetration that Juve so often lack when Dybala’s absent, and such sequences could become common providing Raspadori has runners ahead of him.

The Italian is adept in tight spaces and superb at using his explosive power to drive away from opponents in transition. Thus, he’s capable of retaining possession in the final third against low blocks as well as contributing to Juve’s efficient counter-attacks.

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