How Nemanja Vidic would fit into Juventus’ unique 3-5-2

Nemanja Vidic

With Nemanja Vidic‘s contract set to expire at the end of the season, Juventus are the latest club to enter the race to snap up the Serbian defender should he walk away from Old Trafford this summer. According to The Sun, Bianconeri director general Beppe Marotta is keeping a close eye on the situation and is ready to enter negotiations with agent Silvano Martina, who he is known to enjoy a good working relationship with, to bring the 31-year-old to Turin if he has not prolonged his stay at Old Trafford by February. Should the veteran defender indeed consider a move to the Old Lady, what could he offer the reigning Italian champions?

United boss David Moyes has already expressed his desire that Vidic remain with the Premier League title-holders beyond this season, a sentiment that comes with no surprise, as he has been the side’s best defender thus far with a Performance Score of 168.

Whilst this figure trails each of those posted by Antonio Conte’s preferred back three of Giorgio Chiellini,Andrea Barzagli, and Leonardo Bonucci in Serie A, Vidic’s average of 14 defensive actions per game nearly equals the combined 17 made each match by the Juventus trio.

It is important to note that nearly 90% of the former Serbia international’s total 82 defensive actions have been clearances, demonstrating his no-nonsense style of play, but further highlighting his propensity to close down opponents’ attacking moves at a late stage in their development.

Nemanja Vidic’s defensive actions so far this season

This being said, Vidic still has tallied more tackles than Barzagli (4) and sits even with Bonucci on eight to date in the campaign, with Chiellini far ahead in having made 15.

How Vidic compares with Juventus’ defenders

Where the United stalwart truly distinguishes himself from his Juventus counterparts, however, is in the air. Vidic has won 22 of 29 headed duels in the Premier League for a success rate of 76%, leading Chiellini’s figures of 17 of 23 and 74% in the same regard, whilst Bonucci and Barzagli have been quite poor to emerge the victor in just 13 of 30 headed duels between them.

How Vidic has fared in aerial duels this season

A particular feature of Bianconeri boss Conte’s 3-5-2 formation is the involvement of the the centre-backs in launching the side’s attacks, with Chiellini, Barzagli, and Bonucci each boasting 91% pass accuracy figures and counting three Squawka Best Possession Awards in their ranks through the first seven games of the Italian top flight.

Vidic would be quite comfortable with such a responsibility, having completed 88% of his passes at an astounding average length of 23 metres this season and claiming a Squawka Best Possession Award of his own. In fact, he has completed 44 of 49 attempted long balls, showing he has both excellent vision and the passing range to make full use of it, bettering Bonucci in this particular field despite the Italian’s notoriety for picking out team-mates in the attacking third from his own end.

Vidic’s pass accuracy this term

All things considered, Vidic would fit in quite well into the Juventus defence, and would be good value acquisition for the Bianconeri as he’ll be available on a free transfer should he fail to reach an agreement with United on a new deal.

The Serbian would provide the elite aerial presence at the back that the Turin outfit are currently lacking, whilst his skill in distribution is at the level required by Conte for his centre backs in the 3-5-2 set-up.

He could well make his way into the starting eleven at the northern Italian club, or be used as cover for primary ‘defensive playmaker’ Bonucci and provide further competition and mentorship for summer captureAngelo Ogbonna.

Additionally, Vidic’s extensive experience in the Champions League would be invaluable to a side looking to translate their recent domestic dominance into better performances in the Champions League.

Any chance of a move to the Serie A giants hinges on whether the United man ultimately puts pen to paper on a new deal at Old Trafford. Competition will be fierce should he opt to explore options elsewhere, but Juventus will certainly do all in their power to get hold of a player with plenty to offer them.