La Gazzetta dello Sport compares Federico Chiesa to Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie who evolved into centre-forwards after starting their careers on the wings.
Chiesa has begun the new Serie A campaign as a striker in Juventus’ 3-5-2 system, scoring two goals in three appearances. Allegri has insisted that he sees the Italy international as a forward rather than a winger, adding that the ex-Fiorentina star could score up to 14-16 goals per season in his new role.
Therefore, Tuesday’s printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (page 12) compares the tactical evolution of Chiesa, Henry and Van Persie. Journalist Filippo Cornacchia highlights how the ex-Arsenal forwards also started their careers on the wings before becoming two of the best strikers of their generation.
Henry even played at Juventus in 1998-99 under Carlo Ancelotti, but became the player we all know at Arsenal, where Arsene Wenger started playing him as a centre forward. The Frenchman scored 226 goals in 370 games with the Gunners.
On the other hand, Van Persie was close to joining Juventus in 2012, as once revealed by former Bianconeri President Andrea Agnelli. The ex-Dutch star also became a striker in the Premier League, playing for Arsenal and Manchester United. Van Persie netted 132 goals in 278 games with Arsenal and 58 in 105 appearances with the Red Devils.
Juventus and Allegri hope Chiesa will follow the same trajectory even if the 25-year-old will likely continue playing as a winger with Italy under Luciano Spalletti, who deployed Chiesa wide on the left during his first training session at Coverciano on Monday.