Attackers that Spalletti has inherited
Arkadiusz Milik
The 6' 1" Polish target man has enjoyed an illustrious career. At 31 he has played for Bayern Leverkusen, Ajax, Napoli, Olympique Marseille and most recently Juventus with a whopping 73 international appearances.
He was offered trials, when aged 16, in England with Reading and Tottenham Hotspur but Milik preferred to focus on playing in Poland.
Milik has participated in a trio of international tournaments, including a run to the quarter-finals at the 2016 Euro Championships. Despite playing for multiple big clubs he only has collected two trophies, namely the Coppa Italia trophy with Napoli in 2019/20 Italian Cup with Napoli and four years later with the Turin titans.
Milik's current scenario at Juventus
He missed the entire 2024/25 campaign because of a knee injury. Milik's return was then delayed after he injured himself while working out in the gym. He is yet to make an appearance this season too. He last played a full 90 minutes on 12/02/24 in a 1-0 loss to Udinese. His last goal was in a 3-3 draw 537 ago vs Bologna.
He missed the entire 2024/25 campaign because is a knee injury, Milik's return to action was further delayed after a gym mishap. Milik last sported a Juve jersey for a full 90 minutes in February 2024's shock 1-0 loss to Udinese, with his last goal was during the 3-3 stalemate against Bologna a staggering 537 days ago.
Milik's Juve contract
With no games in almost 18 months and a contract that expires at the end of June 2027, it is highly probable that he will be playing again soon. His contract situation is tricky for Juventus to navigate as Milik is unlikely to accept another pay cut and in two years is probably going to retire.
His reasonable salary hinders Juve making any further marquee striker signings unless they can offload other forwards. Clubs are unlikely to sign a player that demands a large salary to simply sit in the medical room all year.
What Milik offers Juventus
A well-rounded complete left-footer has been used as a target man at Juventus. He is arguably one of the best ariel threats in the Serie A in the last decade. Yet this could be perceived that he can't control the ball and can only be used as a direct route one striker.
In the German Bundesliga Milik was often employed as either as right winger or a secondary striker, because he can control the ball and weave past defenders with ease. That was during the beginning of his career, and ever since he has been best used as a focal point to get out of pressing play and start a counter-attack.
How Milik suits Spalletti
Spalletti can get something completely different from Milik than he would get any other option in the depth chart. If he can stay fit then Milik could prove to be a vital attacker for Juventus. We saw Spalletti use Victor Osimhen in a similar way when together at Napoli's 2022/23 Scudetto-winning season.
The biggest issue with Milik is that he is not match fit having been sidelined for so long, on top of being the wrong side of 30. These make him a risk for Spalletti to be offered regular minutes for Juventus.
Jonathan David
New York-born Jonathan David has had a star lit journey to Juventus. After setting out early dreams to play in Europe, the Canada international moved to KAA Gent in 2018/19, where he bagged 30 goals in 60 games.
He then signed for French outfit LOSC Lille, where he initially struggled before scoring 87 times in 178 matches across five seasons. The 25-year-old won the 2020/21 Ligue 1 and the 2021 Trophée des Champions.
When David became a free agent, he opted for Juventus but has only scored once in competitive games this campaign and has yet to become a fan favorite.
David's current scenario at Juventus
Despite having signed a contract until summer 2030, Juventus are keen to cash in on their flop either as a loanee or selling the 25-year-old.
What David offers to Juventus
He lacks pace but is direct and an intelligent striker that savors a one-on-one scenario. His goal catalogue is something of beauty because he is an out and out goal poacher. David works best in a two-striker system but can be used as a lone target man.
Juventus fans should be patient with David who has already been under the charge of two managers so like other Bianconeri players has an uncertain future.
How David suits Spalletti
Spalletti doesn't like to play with a striker that possesses a threat in behind, preferring someone that his midfielders can play the ball to their feet. If tactics or injuries require a two-striker system then David could eventually turn out to be an asset alongside current starter Vlahovic.
Lois Openda
After coming through at Club Brugge, a move to RC Lens elevated the 25-year-old's career where a haul of 21 goals made him a lucrative commodity. After striking 33 times in 69 games for RB Leipzig, he was signed in the summer on loan by former manager Igor Tudor. Openda has already won three competitions.
Openda's current scenario at Juventus
Openda has had a worse start to life in Turin than David, yet the same energy isn't being kept when it comes to the loanee. The loanee has a high purchase obligation if triggered by Juventus.
The Belgium international was a deadline day summer signing after Juve were unable to agree the return of Kolo Muani, No goals since his arrival is a shocking statistic, with Spalletti giving him a run out on left behind Vlahovic. He made a late appearance as a replacement for Kenan Yildiz during the scoreless Derby della Mole.
What Openda offers to Juventus
Openda is a treadmill on legs, recording 36.86km/h last season. He is lethal on the counter-attack and with the ball at his feet he doesn't slow down and is a direct one-on-one player.
He can score with either foot, and against high lines will surely start to score for fun. However, he struggles to get up to his top speeds against a lower block and can find himself going on runs as he is now.
How Openda suits Spalletti
Openda should fit Spalletti's system as a winger. With Yildiz potentially leaving the Bianconeri, Openda could be moved out wide. If Yildiz stays and Spalletti doesn't need a starting winger, Openda's Juventus career could be cut short.
Dušan Vlahović
Coming through at Partizan, the 25-year-old Serbia star has really made his name in the Italy top tier as his name is synonymous with goalscoring feats.
The former Fiorentina bagsman scored 44 in 98 for I Viola before a January 2022 switch to Juventus. He has scored 46 times in 115 games for the Old Lady, having gone through hot and cold patches with his most recent goal against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League stalemate.
Vlahovic's current scenario at Juventus
He has bagged six goals in 15 games in all competitions this season. Considering thatTudor did not his sides to score goals this is an impressive statisitic.
Yet to be loved by the majority of Juve fans, but it is rumored that Yildiz will only leave if Vlahovic does too. The pair of contract rebels with the Bianconeri, with Vlahovic's deal expiring in the summer and a plethora of clubs monitoring his availability.
What Vlahovic offers to Juventus
Vlahovic is a rarity as he is a traditional no9 with a physical presence. He leads from the front and is clearly a team leader.
He leads by example but sliding into tackles, being fearless and vocal. He offers everything Spalletti needs from a striker. If the Bianconeri can extend his contract then is should encourage Yildiz to stay too.
How Vlahovic suits Spalletti
Vlahovic is being used as he should with the ball arriving at his feet, frequently offering him to spin his man-marker, take a touch back into the midfield to create space for himself or win a flick-on. Despite such creative wide players around him, Vlahovic is still not getting high-quality service but should come in time under Spalletti's system.
Old Juve's depth chart
1. Dusan Vlahovic
Clearly Juve's best striker with a point to prove. He already knows Serie A well and arguably fits Spalletti's style of play the best.
2. Jonathan David
The backlash this striker is getting is totally uncalled for, because he is solely a goal poacher. David has yet to adapt to the Italian top flight but given time could prove his worth.
3. Lois Openda
Could be best utilized on the left wing as he lacks the physical nature needed to be a Spalletti sole striker. His blistering pace will be a nightmare for all defenders in the Serie A in due course, if his skills can be honed.
4. Arkadiusz Milik
He hasn't been able to stay fit for a considerable time, and his progression into 90 minutes seems a very way off.