Former Fiorentina and Italy coach Cesare Prandelli believes it would be a mistake for Juve to give up on Dusan Vlahovic in favour of Romelu Lukaku. The 65-year-old veteran spoke with La Gazzetta dello Sport about Juve’s upcoming season and touched on the rumours that have linked Juve with Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, insisting that it would be better to stick with Vlahovic, whose technical qualities are ‘unquestionable’:
If you were at Juve why wouldn’t you technically trade Vlahovic and Lukaku?
“I like Lukaku, but from the technical point of view and the perspective of the two players, I would not give up Dusan for Romelu. I don’t know if there are economic evaluations and anyway it’s not my place to get into that. But technically Vlahovic is unquestionable.”
Dusan is back from 14 goals in 42 games with Juve: what was missing last season?
“He had a lot of physical problems. Then a forward like Dusan has to play to finish…. Vlahovic has a clear characteristic: he can score goals. And so the team needs to serve him better. Dusan feels the goal, he has a fantastic left foot, incredible depth AND he attacks the area with the right timing. If you have someone like that, you have to serve him with chances to. He is capital and I would value him.”
Is Lukaku more suitable than Vlahovic for Allegri’s game?
“Every coach has his own convictions: if Max has this idea, it should be respected and I wish him to realize it. My reasoning is different: Dusan is 23 years old, Lukaku 30. Vlahovic in perspective can become stronger than the Belgian. And when he shakes off some anxiety, he will be worth more than 100 million. Then if Lukaku went to Juve I would not be surprised, I am not surprised by anything in football anymore.”
Juve, barring irrefutable offers, would start over with the Chiesa-Vlahovic pair: does it convince you?
“It is a devastating pair. Chiesa is a striker. Then whether he starts wider or goes around the center forward are details. Fede should not be considered as a 30-goal striker, but a 15-goal and as many assists striker, yes. If the team plays for strikers, he and Vlahovic on paper are a 40-45 goal pair.”
Bonucci, your player from your Italy days, ended up off the roster: Your thoughts?
“It is always unpleasant to see someone who has won 8 scudetti and written Juve’s history out of the squad. In the last season they had so many months to talk to each other and plan: I don’t understand why they couldn’t come to a different ending for everyone.”
Were you ever close to Giuntoli’s Napoli?
“No. But history shows that Giuntoli is a serious, capable, competent person. Besides, I like him because he is someone who speaks little. Juve got the best.”
Allegri left without mentioning the word Scudetto and will be without European competition next season…
“Max is unquestionable as a coach and he has proven it in the last year as well. With all the issues Juve has had, it was not a given that the group would stick together and not lose their heads.”
Who is convincing you the most in the market?
“I don’t like to comment on the transfer market, I’ve never done it. However… Milan are moving with clear ideas. They have changed a lot, but in the right time to allow Pioli to work at his best. Chukwueze, Loftus-Cheek and Pulisic are all potentially strong.”
What about the Champions League finalist Inter?
“Continuing with Inzaghi for a third year is an advantage: having to change two to three specific roles, such as goalkeeper and forward, is easier in an already defined context. And Frattesi is a very good buy. I also expect a lot from Lazio and Roma, but the team to beat for the Scudetto remains Napoli.”
Has any Arab temptation come to you as well?
“Yes, as to everyone. But I’m not going back to the bench, not even to Arabia. I would only consider a role as technical director.”
