Spalletti Says Weston McKennie Would Be A “Perfect Striker” As Juventus Boss Exposes Jonathan David’s Limitation

Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti raised a few eyebrows after the Bianconeri’s dominant 3–0 victory over Napoli, delivering glowing praise for USMNT star Weston McKennie while simultaneously pointing out a clear weakness in the game of goalscorer Jonathan David.

The post-match comments were classic Spalletti — honest, tactical, and just provocative enough to spark debate.

“McKennie Is A Perfect Central Striker”

While McKennie lined up in midfield, his all-action performance caught the attention of his coach in an unexpected way. Speaking to Sky Sport, Spalletti suggested the American has all the qualities needed to thrive as a traditional number nine.

“McKennie is a perfect central striker, one of the strongest as a centre-forward,” Spalletti said.
“He fights, he’s strong in the air, and he’s got an impressive leap. He plays to get results because he makes decisions. He would be a perfect striker.”

It was high praise for a player often labelled as a utility man. McKennie’s physicality, aerial strength, and relentless pressing stood out in a match that kept Juventus firmly in the Serie A title race.

Jonathan David Scores… But There’s A Catch

Jonathan David did his primary job, opening the scoring in the 22nd minute with a sharp finish that Spalletti described as a “proper striker’s goal.” In tight spaces, the Canadian showed composure and timing — qualities any coach appreciates.

“David is a strong player, and tonight he showed that he can hold his own in the box where there’s no space,” Spalletti explained.

However, the Juventus boss didn’t stop there.

The Hold-Up Play Problem

Speaking to DAZN, Spalletti highlighted what he believes is David’s biggest limitation: his inability to act as a physical outlet when the team is under pressure.

According to Spalletti, David struggles with dropping deep, holding off centre-backs, and making long balls stick — a role that can be just as important as scoring.

“There are strikers like Hojlund who drop into midfield, you smash the ball into them, and they still make it playable,” he said.
“That’s something we don’t have. David is fine for scoring goals, but you also need someone who battles physically with the centre-back.”

The Højlund Comparison Says It All

By comparing David to Rasmus Højlund, Spalletti underlined the type of striker profile he values — one who can absorb pressure, bring teammates into play, and offer a physical presence even when goals aren’t flowing.

“We don’t need a striker to score goals, but for that kind of job,” Spalletti added.
“David is very strong, but he can’t do that kind of job.”

Still, the manager was pragmatic. As long as Juventus remain defensively solid and David continues scoring, Spalletti believes the team can “keep its head above water.”

Tactical Message Or Transfer Hint?

Whether Spalletti was simply praising McKennie’s versatility, challenging David to expand his game, or subtly outlining what Juventus need in the market remains open to interpretation.

One thing is clear: McKennie’s reputation continues to grow, and Spalletti isn’t afraid to rethink traditional roles if it helps his team win.

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