Former Italian striker Paolo Di Canio believes Juventus would do well to snap up the services of Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee.
The 23-year-old rose to prominence during his time at Bologna, and there were rumors linking him with the Bianconeri last summer, especially following the appointment of his mentor Thiago Motta.
Nevertheless, the Dutchman ended up sealing a big-money move to Old Trafford, but he’s been struggling for form and goals in his early days in the Premier League.
So in his interview with Tuttosport (via IlBianconero), Di Canio suggests a loan move to Juventus, as he believes Zirkzee would struggle with the the fast-paced EPL.
“I would loan Zirkzee from Manchester United. They’ve been making crazy choices for several years and none of them are working, not even Zirkzee who’s a bit too slow for the Premier League.
“Perhaps he’ll prove me wrong with goals and great performances, but in England, they attack you straight away and whistle 30% fewer fouls. In Italy, we saw his impact on Bologna. In the end, amidst the confusion at United, they could even loan him out. They already have Hojlund, and then there’s Rashford who can play as a striker.
“He’d be the perfect profile for Juventus, also because it would allow Motta to have a striker with different characteristics to Vlahovic. Zirkzee isn’t a devastating scorer, he’s not someone who can score 25 goals, but he help others play well.”
The former Lazio and West Ham striker also insists Juventus summer signing Douglas Luiz is a “top player” despite a slow start to life in Italian football.
“I said that Juventus has signed a top player, and I am still convinced of it. However, what I saw here is a distant relative, he is unrecognisable. Beyond the 50 million valuation, which for me is also a fair price, he is truly a different player compared to the one I saw at Aston Villa.
“I don’t blame the player or the coach, I don’t know what the situation is, but there could be a psychological problem. But I have no doubts about the player’s professsionalism. At Aston Villa, he was an idol and they loved him. Perhaps sitting on the bench saddened him. It’s normal that Thiago now prefers Locatelli who is more focused, more attentive, quicker in the head and on the foot.”
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