Former Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli had high praise for Dusan Vlahovic and warned Juventus not to cut him for Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku.
Recent reports suggest that the Bianconeri are looking for buyers for the Serbian striker this summer, ready to sell him before picking up Lukaku. The club have been in talks with the Belgian for a little while now, something that caused Inter to move away and focus on other targets.
Juventus will not take part in the Conference League next season and are in the early stages of their post-Andrea Agnelli era, working to develop the project in Turin under sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli.
Speaking on page nine of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Prandelli first discussed Juventus’ idea to sell Vlahovic and pick up Lukaku.
“Absolutely not! I like Lukaku, but from a technical point of view and the perspective of the two players, I wouldn’t give up Dusan for Romelu.
“I don’t know if there are economic evaluations and in any case it’s not for me to get into that. But technically Vlahovic is indisputable.”
He touched on some of the issues faced by the Serbian striker last season.
“He had a lot of physical problems. Then a forward like Dusan has to play to finish…. Vlahovic has one clear characteristic: he can score goals. And so, the team has to serve him better.
“Dusan feels the goal, he has a fantastic left foot, incredible depth. And he attacks the penalty area with the right timing.
“If you have someone like that, you have to serve him to finish the action. He’s capital and I would value him.”
He was asked if Lukaku could be a better fit for Massimiliano Allegri’s system.
“Every coach has their own convictions, if Max has this idea, it should be respected and I wish him to realise it. My reasoning is different, Dusan is 23, Lukaku 30. Vlahovic in perspective can become stronger than the Belgian.
“And when he gets a bit of anxiety out of his system, he will be worth more than €100m. Then if Lukaku went to Juve I wouldn’t be surprised, I’m not surprised about anything in football anymore.”
Finally, Prandelli highlighted how the Vlahovic-Federico Chiesa partnership can be key for Juventus next season.
“They’re a potentially devastating pair. Chiesa is a forward. Then whether he starts wider or goes around the centre forward are just details.
“Fede should not be considered a 30-goal striker, but a 15-goal and 15-assist forward, yes. If the team plays for the forwards, he and Vlahovic on paper are a 40-45 goal pair.”