The transfer season is about to begin with top clubs vying to entice some of the top performers of European football. Paris St Germain has decided to sell Mauro Icardi at the end of the season with Juventus FC likely to target the former Inter Milan FC striker. If the deal is successful, Andrea Pirlo will receive a boost but will face selection headaches as to who will start in the striking position. Cristiano Ronaldo, Alvaro Morata, Paulo Dybala, Federico Chiesa and Federico Bernardeschi form the core in the forward line. Although the future of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala at the club is not decided as both might decide to switch to other clubs. However, manager Pirlo recently stated Dybala will stay at Juventus for the next season.
The 42-year-old manager prefers a 4-4-2 formation or a 4-2-4 formation. The combination will depend on the opposition’s strategy. Nevertheless, Icardi’s role will be crucial and his presence will provide enough attacking options in the frontline. The striker scored 12 goals in 20 games in the 2019-20 Ligue 1 season with 3 assists to his name and scored 5 goals in 7 Champions League games in the same season. The 28-year-old has faced some injury concerns in the ongoing season but still looked in decent form scoring 5 goals in 15 Ligue games with 4 assists to his name.
Mauro Icardi is well-known for his natural goal-scoring ability
Mauro Icardi has showcased his clever positioning during set-pieces and his ability to score and pass from difficult angles makes him a deadly organizer in the frontline. Icardi has showcased his craft offensively as well as defensively and is a box to box player who can show the urgency to build an attacking move with his clever link-ups. Icardi’s collusion with midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur and Adrien Rabiot will be vital as both midfielders are strong defensively and smart playmakers at the wings. Icardi’s combination with Juan Cuadrado will be crucial especially in the Central midfield and during set-pieces.
Icardi has got the knack of creating goals through free kicks where he normally tends to build-up play to enter into the striking position inside the box. Icardi will face tough competition given the depth and bench strength in this Juventus FC outfit as currently almost every forward is looking in fine form. Icardi will have to be on par with other strikers as far as his on-field commitment, consistency and his all-round performance is considered. Manager Pirlo and the team management needs to work out a combination depending on the opposition the Bianconeris’ play against but on the other hand, it will give enough alternatives given the bench strength available for the Turin side.
Icardi isn’t new to the Serie A but it has to be seen in what type of combination the striker is more comfortable playing keeping in mind the Turin side’s dual formation strategy and on that basis, Pirlo should accommodate Icardi. The defensive structure of some European clubs especially the English clubs is much stronger so Icardi’s role will be crucial when Juventus FC play against some tough English sides in a competition like the Champions League. It will surely add enough quality and credence in the forward line if the club owners manage to convince Icardi to sign the deal.
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