Jonathan David’s early weeks at Atletico Madrid have offered a sharp contrast to the difficult spell he endured in Turin. Three goals and one assist across his first four appearances have given the Canadian forward an immediate foothold in Diego Simeone’s side, while the coach has made clear that the club demanded more than a simple change of shirt.
Simeone’s message to David
Speaking on the eve of Atletico’s Champions League meeting with Manchester United, Simeone explained that the conversation with David began as soon as he arrived in Madrid.
- Atletico acknowledged the quality David had shown in France with Lille, where his performances ultimately earned him a move to Juventus.
- Simeone told the striker that the club did not want the version seen at Juventus, but the player who had made such an impact in Ligue 1.
- David has responded quickly, contributing three times as a scorer and once as a creator in four matches.
“He has made an excellent start with the team,” Simeone said. “When he came in, we told him that we did not want the Juventus David; we wanted the David who had done so well in France that Juventus signed him.”
A forward offering something different
Simeone also highlighted a part of David’s work that Atletico felt had been missing from their attacking options. The Canadian, he said, brings an element to the squad that was not previously there, particularly through his defensive contribution and willingness to work for the collective.
The Atletico staff had studied David closely before his arrival, reviewing his recent Juventus performances as well as his time at Lille. That preparation appears to have informed the message delivered to the player: his talent was not in question, but the level and application required in Madrid were.
At Juventus, David had been unable to turn opportunities into a sustained role and became a target for criticism among supporters. In the Spanish capital, his opening return suggests a player attempting to restore the authority he had built in France, under a coach who has set the terms plainly from the start.
