Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti has publicly emphasized the importance of retaining striker Dusan Vlahovic, stating the team significantly missed his presence during his recent injury absence. Spalletti made his feelings clear following Juventus’s recent victories over Verona and Lecce, where Vlahovic scored in both matches, including a goal just 12 seconds into his first start after a 161-day layoff.
Spalletti highlighted Vlahovic’s unique qualities as a physical and prolific goalscorer, contrasting him with other attacking options like Jonathan David, stating that Vlahovic is a player who can hold up the ball in a way David cannot. He reiterated that one of his primary requests upon arriving at the club was a physical centre-forward, a need he believes remains unmet without Vlahovic.
The manager’s comments are understood to be a strong signal to the club’s ownership, led by John Elkann, regarding transfer strategy. Spalletti has reportedly already acted as an intermediary in initial talks between the club and Vlahovic regarding a contract renewal. He stressed the need for substantial investment across multiple positions, not just in attack, with uncertainty surrounding David’s future and the potential departure of Lois Openda.
Spalletti’s strong stance comes as Juventus assesses its squad ahead of the next season. Elkann and Spalletti reportedly discussed the team’s performance and future plans after the Lecce match, with Elkann seemingly receptive to the manager’s concerns. The manager has made it clear he views Vlahovic as integral to his project and wishes to avoid any misunderstandings regarding his plans. His public appeal is a clear indication of his desire to build a competitive squad capable of challenging for Serie A title, acknowledging a current gap in quality compared to teams like Inter.
