Dusan Vlahovic has become a focal point in Juventus, commanding one of the heftiest paychecks in Serie A. As he navigates the final stretch of his contract, the Serbian ace is on track to pocket a whopping €12 million per annum, a sum that has ignited a fiery debate between him and his club. Juventus, eager to extend his tenure, is insistent on a salary reduction, a proposition Vlahovic is hesitant to embrace. Instead, he is resolute in his quest to validate his remuneration through his on-field performance. However, his current performance seems to betray this resolve, falling below par.
Juventus is meticulously evaluating Vlahovic’s value proposition, especially against the backdrop of emerging strikers who might offer more bang for the buck. Randal Kolo Muani, in particular, has piqued the club’s interest, showing promise that Juventus might benefit from another forward player’s superior performance. This has fueled the Bianconeri’s disposition to contemplate selling Vlahovic in the coming summer, contingent on a satisfactory offer.
But does Vlahovic’s performance align with his €12 million-per-season paycheck? Renowned journalist Paolo De Paola begs to differ. De Paola’s critique of Vlahovic’s technical capabilities and recent performance has been anything but subtle. Speaking to Tuttojuve, De Paola expressed, “He has no ball control, he takes an absurd penalty, he seems neurotic when he touches the ball. He earns 12 million a year, a million a month. He’s a dud.”
These stark observations underscore mounting frustration with Vlahovic’s inconsistency. Despite his inherent talent and significant contributions to Juventus, his lack of finesse and composure are glaring deficiencies. Strikers at the pinnacle of their game are expected to consistently influence games, and for a player of Vlahovic’s earnings, these expectations are raised even higher.
If Vlahovic is to retain his position at Juventus and maintain his significant salary, his performance needs a considerable boost. While goals are an apparent indicator of a striker’s prowess, there’s a need for improvement in his overall contribution, including ball control, link-up play, and decision-making. Failure to do so will give the club every reason to sever ties with him in the summer, particularly if a more dependable alternative becomes accessible.