HOW RONALDO MAY FORCE DYBALA OUT OF JUVENTUS
Paul Dybala is likely to be forced out of Juventus this summer after being marginalised since the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Italian football expert Adam Digby.
Ronaldo’s £105m arrival from Real Madrid meant Juventus favoured a 4-3-3 formation last season, which left Dybala, 25, to feature in his unfavoured position on the right flank, says Digby.
Dybala, a reported target for Manchester United, said in May he wants to remain in Turin next season – a week after his brother, who is also his agent, claimed he would be leaving Juventus because he is “no longer at ease”.
Unlike Dybala, Digby, the author of ‘Juventus: A History in Black and White’, feels the Argentine is unlikely to be lining up as a Juventus player next season.
“I think Dybala will be the one player who is forced to move on.
“I think the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo forced Juventus to play a front three for the most of last season and the only position available to Dybala in that system is wide on the right – that doesn’t suit him.
“He is much more comfortable down the middle behind a conventional No 9. And he has really struggled to adapt to that this season.
“It’s been his poorest season since he arrived at Juventus in 2015. He only scored three goals in the league and he really is the player that has been marginalised by Ronaldo’s presence.
“I can fully see him moving on this summer in search of somewhere he can play his more natural role,” he told sky sports.
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