Roma manager Luciano Spalletti welcomed the club’s newest addition (and newest Brazilian), defender Juan Jesus, last week. Despite the low number of appearances for Inter Milan last season, Jesus may still be an important piece to Spalletti’s squad this year.

Here are three reasons why Ahmed Arafat thinks Juan Jesus will prove an astute signing for the Giallorossi…

1. Tactical flexibility

The ability to play multiple positions is one of the most important attributes that Spalletti looks for in his players, given how he constantly changes his team’s formations. Juan Jesus certainly fits this mold, and will allow Spalletti to try multiple alignments in the back. Jesus has experience both with a four-man and three-man back line, and has the capabliity to play inside and outside back. In a traditional four-man back line, Jesus will be deployed next to Kostas Manolas in the heart of the defence, allowing the wing-backs to venture further up the pitch. In matches where Spalletti prefers his wing-backs to stay home and defend more than attack, Jesus may be preferred to Mario Rui down the left. In any case, we can expect to see Juan Jesus playing all over the back line this season.

2. Playmaking from a defensive position

Following the loan of Leandro Castan to Sampdoria, the Giallorossi are in need of another centre-back with the ability to step forward and pass out of the back. Juan Jesus’ experience in Serie A and tremendous passing accuracy will certainly be an asset in this department. Jesus showed in his time at Inter that he has the ability to pick out a pass from his deep-lying position, which will certainly help the Giallorossi to quickly turn defence into attack. Playing in the centre of the defence with Manolas, Roma will have a formidable duo capable of intercepting opponent’s passes and starting Roma on the counter.

3. Physical presence

Roma suffered a blow this summer when German defender Antonio Rudiger injured his knee right before the European Championship. Replacing Rudiger’s size and physicality in the middle is a must to anchor the Giallorossi defense while he remains on the sideline. Standing at 1.85 metres tall, Juan Jesus certainly fits the bill. He is not afraid to throw his weight around and certainly makes his presence felt in the middle of the park. While he is a different player to Rudiger, his size and speed will be useful to Luciano Spalletti and soften the blow of losing the big German for the start of the season.