Jonathan David once seemed destined for a summer big-money switch to the Premier League. However, a dip in form, managerial departures and Lille’s overall poor form may ultimately come with a cost.
For David, England’s elite division was the ultimate. He once said, “The Premier League is the best in the world and most competitive so obviously that is somewhere I would love to play in the future.” But the 22-year-old has made two stops ahead of a potential Premier League switch.
Spotted by Gent playing in youth international in 2017, the forward became a household in just a year gaining enough recognition to be listed in the odds that you can visit bonuscodecanada.ca shortly after. Operating chiefly as an attacking midfielder, he racked up 14 goals and five assists in all competitions in the 2018/18 season. The following year, he produced 23 goals and 10 assists as his club finished second.
With a host of top teams flocking around him, David made the perceived wise decision to join Lille in 2020. He was tipped to follow the footsteps of Victor Osimhen and Nicholas Pepe – both who secured big-money moves to Napoli and Arsenal respectively after lighting up the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. David did.
After initially firing blanks in his first 10 games in France, the Canada international was influential as Lille clinched their fourth Ligue 1, the first since 2011. He scored a crucial goal and helped set up the other as Lille became champions with a 2-1 victory over Angers. He struck 12 other times in the league.
David carried that rich form to this season, hitting the net 16 times across all competitions before Christmas. However, since the year’s turn, the 22-year-old appears to have lost his mojo during the festivity.
In 19 games for Lille in all competitions in 2022, the Canadian has managed to score just one goal, coming in a 4-0 win over Clermont Foot in Ligue 1 in March. He failed to make any goal contribution in 10 successive matches.
On his day, though, David is a typical fox in the box type of striker, albeit with good off-the-ball movement and blistering speed. He is a clinical finisher who scores a wide variety of goals, whether shooting it with power or going for accuracy with the side of his foot.
He scores with both feet confidently and has a strong aerial ability, boasting a unique combination of physical and technical attributes. His menace is heightened by his array of manoeuvres to outfox markers, as his body swerves, feints, stepovers, fake shots and passes ensure he can gain separation or get by his man.
Jonathan’s strength and low centre of gravity mean he remains balanced on the ball so he can withstand pressure and ride challenges calmly. David ranks among the best forwards in Europe’s top five leagues for pressures per 90 (19.96).
He has already been linked to Arsenal and his style is likened to the club’s legend, Thierry Henry. The Frenchman recognizes David’s qualities. “When you have a player like Jonathan David, who runs the way he does, in behind,” said Henry.
“His directness. Don’t ask him to come to play or assist because he has none this season. If he sees the centre-back dropping, then he will go in behind. But as soon as he sees there is a gap, he will run and he is also pretty strong too and he loves contacts.”
However, the 22-year-old is unlikely to fulfil his Premier League dreams this summer. According to journalist La Voix du Nord, the Canadian will remain in the north of France next season. He claims David’s poor form has deterred some potential suitors.
