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4 positives & negatives of Juventus signing Angel Di Maria

By James Cormack

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 08: Angel Di Maria of Paris Saint-Germain reacts during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint Germain and ESTAC Troyes at Parc des Princes on May 08, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 08: Angel Di Maria of Paris Saint-Germain reacts during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Paris Saint Germain and ESTAC Troyes at Parc des Princes on May 08, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images) /
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Positive #2: Profile

The Argentine boasts a profile that Max Allegri appreciates. (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The Argentine boasts a profile that Max Allegri appreciates. (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

Di Maria is the sort of winger that Allegri appreciates. He’s a hard worker and a genius technician, one that’s capable of producing the requisite moments in the final third.

The 34-year-old is still playing at a high level, and while he’s only made 24 Ligue 1 appearances this season, he’s put up some impressive numbers. Compared to all attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top-five leagues over the past year, Di Maria sits in the 99th percentile for expected assists (0.43) and 97th percentile for non-penalty expected goals and expected assists (0.71) per 90 minutes.

The Argentine’s more of a creator than he is a goalscorer, and he’s an ideal fit for the supposed 4-3-3 Juventus are to shift to next season. Di Maria is the technical specialist needed to balance out a front three containing Dusan Vlahovic (multi-faceted target man) and Federico Chiesa (elite outlet). He can occupy a variety of zones and is capable of consistently delivering the ‘final ball’ thanks to his technical proficiency and decision-making.

For me, Di Maria’s a brilliant short-term option (even if it’s the route I wouldn’t go down) and young Matias Soulé could benefit hugely from his arrival.

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