Examining the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Serbian Striker Remaining Under Igor Tudor`s Command. While a Financial Burden, His Presence Guarantees an Unrivaled Offensive Line-up in Serie A.
Could a single goal truly change a player`s destiny? For Dusan Vlahovic, it might be less far-fetched than one would think. His recent strike against Parma, coming just four minutes after entering the field, coupled with three goals in four pre-season friendlies, sends a clear message about what could unfold if the Serbian forward stays with Tudor`s squad beyond the summer transfer window. This scenario presents a mix of drawbacks and benefits, and it`s not certain that the former necessarily outweigh the latter.
The Cons of Vlahovic Remaining at Juventus
Keeping a player who costs the club over €41 million annually (€19.5 million in amortization and €22.2 million in gross salary) is a significant financial strain for Juventus. This is particularly true as the club aims for financial equilibrium by 2027. If Vlahovic stays, he would either leave on a free transfer in 10 months or be sold at a reduced price in January, offering no significant financial return. The potential arrival of Kolo Muani, irrespective of Vlahovic`s departure, doesn`t change the underlying issue: Juventus risks losing out on a €130 million investment.
Furthermore, if the PSG striker were to return, Vlahovic`s playing time would dramatically decrease. Tudor`s tactical vision sees David and Kolo Muani as complementary, but Vlahovic doesn`t fit seamlessly with either. Under the Croatian coach, Vlahovic has only played 45 minutes alongside the Frenchman, and regarding a partnership with the Canadian, the coach was unequivocal: “We`ve never even tried it in training.”
There`s also the crucial atmospheric factor: the fans` audible whistles during his `debut` against the Under 23 team at the Allianz Stadium, and upon his entry against Parma, offered Vlahovic a taste of the `outsider` climate he might face. For a player who, in his three and a half years at Juve, has shown himself to be particularly emotional and sensitive to pressure, this could pose a considerable challenge.
The Pros of Vlahovic Staying at Juventus
From a professionalism standpoint, however, no one at Continassa can fault the Serbian. Vlahovic arrived punctually for the new season and has consistently trained with dedication. This was confirmed by Tudor himself: “He had a perfect month of preparation, played all the matches well, all the training sessions: I`m happy, he`s doing well, he`s committed.”
Moreover, the Croatian coach had previously expressed his admiration for the Serbian striker, even preferring him over Osimhen (in 2022). Yet, when he began working with him, his initial trust wasn`t entirely vindicated on the pitch, leading Kolo Muani to quickly usurp Vlahovic`s starting role, and Tudor now wishes to bring the Frenchman back.
The Juventus coach might, therefore, have a psychological lever to use with Vlahovic: in a World Cup year, performing well for Juventus would not only secure his participation in the tournament but also convince top European clubs to pursue him and offer a salary consistent with his current earnings – either on a free transfer next June or at a reduced price as early as January. For Juventus, having an `alternative` striker who averages just over two goals every five games would be a valuable asset in achieving their objectives. After all, who else in Serie A could boast an attack that scored 52 goals last season alone and 387 throughout their careers? It’s a situation where not everyone is entirely happy, but ultimately, they might be content.
