The Canada international is enjoying another fine season at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, but still isn't getting the attention he deserves

Jonathan David has been one of the most consistent strikers in Europe's top five leagues for a while now. Since joining Lille from Gent for €30 million (£27m/$35m) in August 2020, the Canadian has netted 101 goals in 213 appearances, and laid on another 25 for good measure.

This season alone, David has 24 goal contributions to his name from 30 games across all competitions, with his stellar performances helping Lille to punch above their weight in the Champions League and push for their first top-three finish in Ligue 1 since their historic title success in 2020-21. Davidlooks like a real superstar and, as such, you may naturally assume that he's on the radar of all the elite clubs on the continent.

That is not the case, though. Most casual fans, in fact, are probably still unaware of David's existence. That is made all the more bizarre by the fact he is now in the final six months of his contract at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, and will almost certainly be available on a free transfer in the summer window.

It is very rare for a 25-year-old boasting the talent and track record of David to be overlooked like this. He should have a queue of suitors lining up for his signature already, but has yet to break out of the tabloid gossip lists. There is a shortage of top centre-forwards in the modern game, so why on earth is no one talking about David?! GOAL attempts to answer that question below…

AFPBreakthrough

David was born in New York City but moved to Haiti while he was still a toddler, and emigrated with his family to Canada after turning six. The Lille ace wasn't even interested in football at that stage, as he revealed in an interview with in 2022: "We used to play American football. I first got into football when I was 10. My dad decided to just put me in a team."

It turned out to be an inspired decision. David joined local club Ottawa Gloucester Hornets in 2011 and developed his passion for the game over the next seven years, eventually reaching a high enough level to convince coach Hanny El-Magraby to put him forward for trials with Stuttgart and Red Bull Salzburg.

Neither of those clubs offered David a contract, but he would still seal a move across the Atlantic at the age of 18, with Belgian outfit Gent identifying him as a future star. David rewarded their faith within the space of just seven months, scoring on his senior debut in a league clash against Zulte Waregem in August 2018, and quickly became the focal point in the team.

David scored 37 goals across his first two seasons at Gent, earning the title of Canada Soccer's Men's Player of the Year in 2019, which led his then-manager Jess Thorup to tell: "I have to say the boy belongs in a top league. He has everything to become a star in world football, not just as an athlete but also because of his personality."

AdvertisementGetty Images'Cold assassin'

Arsenal and Manchester United were among a host of clubs linked with David after his rapid rise to prominence in Belgium, but Lille smashed their transfer record to win the race for the then-20-year-old, and saw an immediate return on their investment.

Against all odds, Lille wrestled the Ligue 1 crown away from big-spending Paris Saint-Germain in David's maiden season. He played a central role in the club's first title triumph in 10 years, too, registering 18 goal involvements while forming an impressive partnership with Turkish frontman Burak Yılmaz.

Unfortunately, Lille couldn't build on that platform, slumping to 10th the following campaign, but David proved he was no one-season wonder by plundering 19 goals across all competitions, earning special praise from ex-Canada assistant coach Steven Caldwell. "Jonny is pretty special and I think he can play for any team in the world," Caldwell told . "He's a cold assassin and very clinical."

David lived up to that billing in 2022-23 as he scored another 26 goals, and managed to equal that tally last term while also posting nine assists as Lille sealed a return to the Champions League by finishing fourth in Ligue 1. Reports of an imminent Premier League move surfaced again, with Chelsea and Aston Villa the two clubs at the head of the queue this time, but when the summer deadline passed, David was still on the books at LOSC.

AFPDesperate to take next step

“It just didn’t happen,” David told in September when quizzed on why a transfer never came to fruition. “There were a couple of offers and we just didn’t finish the deal, that’s it.”

He also confirmed that talks were underway with Lille over a potential contract renewal, but his follow-up remarks go a long way to explaining why that hasn't happened yet either. "I’m open to anything," David added. "I think obviously the Premier League is regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. And for me it’s not the Premier League or bust. I’m open to anything and every league has its challenges."

Two months later, in another interview with , the Canada international issued what amounted to a come-and-get-me plea to Barcelona. "They were always the team I grew up supporting," he declared. "When you grow up supporting a team, it’s your dream to play for them."

David is clearly desperate to take the next step in his career, but no one is biting. His chances of a January move certainly appear to be dwindling by the day, with reporter Dharmesh Sheth telling : "My information is that Lille won’t be doing any business on him in this transfer window. I think there’s an acceptance that he won’t be signing a new contract and he’ll leave for free in the summer. He might not even sign a pre-contract agreement with anyone."

Getty Images Sport'Most intelligent player I've coached'

David is not being penalised for any kind of drop-off in performance. He's on course for the best individual season of his career to date, having racked up 17 goals in his first 30 outings for Lille, and has announced himself to a global audience with his dazzling displays in the Champions League.

Bruno Genesio's side have been a surprise package in Europe this term, picking up 13 points out of a possible 18 in the new league phase. David netted the only goal in a 1-0 home win over Real Madrid before scoring a brace in Lille's thrilling 3-1 win away at Atletico Madrid, and he was also on target in their 1-1 draw with Juventus on matchday four.

As if that wasn't enough, David has also been in great form for the Canada men's national team since Jesse Marsch's appointment as head coach in May 2024. The former Gent prospect has been involved in eight of the 10 goals Canada have scored across Marsch's first 13 games at the helm, with the former Leeds United boss describing him as "the most intelligent player I've ever coached".

Marsch has also expressed his belief that David can become one of the best players in the world, but that won't happen if he stays at Lille. Unfortunately, David is currently playing in a league right in the middle of a serious identity crisis, and he must spread his wings to unlock his full potential.