Former Lazio and West Ham striker Paolo Di Canio feels Juventus should get Joshua Zikrzee on loan in the January transfer window: ‘Manchester United have been making crazy decisions for years.’
Juventus will be looking for a backup striker for Dusan Vlahovic in the January transfer window, given that the only other centre forward in the team, Arkadiusz Milik, has recently undergone new surgery and will remain out of action for several weeks.
Di Canio has recently been highly critical of Manchester United directors, even saying they should be arrested for selling Scott McTominay to Napoli. He didn’t go this far this time but suggested that Juve, one of his former clubs, should make the most of the confusion at Old Trafford.
“I’d ask Manchester United for Zirkzee’s loan. After all, they [Man United] have been making crazy decisions for years,” the former striker told Tuttosport.
Di Canio tells Juventus to get Zirkzee on loan in January amid Man Utd ‘confusion’
“Nothing works there, not even Zirkzee. He’s too slow for the Premier League. Maybe he’ll prove me wrong with goals and big performances, but in there [EPL], defenders are aggressive, and there are 30% fewer fouls [than in Serie A].
“There’s so much confusion at Man United that they could even give him away on loan. They already have Hojlund and Rashford, who play in that position. He would be an ideal profile and give Motta a player with a different skill sets from Vlahovic. I’d start negotiations now—a loan with an option to buy. Zikrzee is not a deadly finisher; he won’t score 25 goals, but he makes his teammates play well.”
Juventus have made several deals with Premier League clubs in recent months.
Amthemhose is Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz, who moved to Turin from Aston Villa for €50m last sumer, but has struggledmakehave an impact in Turin so far.
“I often talk about Douglas Luiz, not only with Juventus fans. I said Juventus had signed a top player,” argued Di Canio.
“I am still convinced of it. Simply, he’s been unrecognisable so far. Aside from the transfer fee, €50m, which I think is appropriate, it’s a different person from the one I saw at Aston Villa. I am not blaming the coach or the player; I’m not familiar with the situation. Perhaps there could be a psychological problem. He’s slow and sloppy, and he loses the tempo. He’d press the opponent in the Premier League, recover possession and counter-attack. He was like a pit bull.
“I hope Thiago Motta will rediscover Douglas Luiz’s attitude. I have no doubts about the player’s commitment. He was an idol at Aston Villa, and people loved him. Perhaps some games on the bench saddened him. Naturally, Thiago prefers Locatelli now, as he’s more focused and quick in his head and feet.”