Paulo Dybala is frequently described as a striker, but this term is misleading. Dybala is an attacker or forward for Juventus, but the Argentine international is really a trequartista or second striker.
The term “striker” gives the image of a center forward or Number 9, and this term doesn’t accurately describe the qualities and playing style of the Argentine playmaker. Like his fellow countryman Lionel Messi, Dybala is a left-footed attacker who brings both goalscoring and playmaking to the game.
In this 2015-2016 Serie A and Champions League season so far, Dybala has six goals and three assists in 13 appearances. The Argentina man has proved to be more and more involved and influential in every game that he plays. Even with Paul Pogba orchestrating so much of Juventus’ passing and attacking play, Dybala is still a standout player for the Italian side, and it would be accurate to say that Pogba and Dybala are the focal points of Juventus.
Dybala’s play is characterized by quick combination play and outstanding dribbling, and the Argentine has a real talent for dissecting defenses with through balls and chips. The fact that Dybala even has a spot on the roster for Argentina with all of its other world-class attacking players is a testament to his skill and brilliance.
The play of Dybala should heavily affect the playing time of Hernanes and Roberto Pereyra. Both Hernanes and Pereyra play best as trequartisti, but with Dybala bringing such a combination of playmaking and scoring, it will be hard for either Hernanes or Pereyra to see much time with Juan Cuadrado also being one of the first names on the lineup.
Juventus was underperforming early in the Serie A season, but now with Juventus playing better and better, Dybala’s influence and numbers should continue to increase.
Will Dybala challenge Ángel Di María for a starting spot for Argentina?