Dušan Vlahović: World Cup One to Watch
Excitement is starting to build all over the world of football as the 2022 FIFA World Cup is mere days away.
For the players, such huge tournaments are the biggest stages they can get to showcase their talents. Nowhere does this ring truer than for under-23 talents.
Therefore, we will be taking a look at a number of young talents who are primed to impress in Qatar this winter.
Today Alex Barker joins us to discuss Dušan Vlahović.
Since splitting with Montenegro in 2006 Serbia has entered qualification for four World Cups as a lone nation, failing to qualify once and never getting past the group stage in three other campaigns.
Though their history may look bleak, there are two important caveats to keep in mind when reviewing the nation’s chances heading into this summer.
Firstly, Dragan Stojković’s side will play in a group that, while finely balanced, gives hope of passage to the round of 16. Brazil will be their toughest opponent, but Switzerland and Cameroon represent beatable opposition.
The second important factor is that Serbia are armed with the most talent they have ever had in the 21st century.
From Sevilla stalwart Nemanja Gudelj to Lazio hero Sergei Milinković-Savić, and Ajax’s Dušan Tadić to RB Salzburg’s new defender Strahinja Pavlović, the Serbs are decked out with European talent.
Valued highest, however, is Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović.
The 22-year-old forward’s valuation has slightly declined over the past 10 months since the Turin outfit splashed out €80m last January, but he is still a striker of immense quality who needs to be highlighted ahead of the World Cup.
After averaging 0.82 goals per 90 with Fiorentina in the first half of the 21/22 season - and hitting 7 in 15 for Juventus in the second half - the striker hasn’t enjoyed the same form this season.
But Juventus fans will assure you that it is down to Max Allegri.
The former Milan coach just can’t seem to find a tune out of his team over a year into his return to the former Italian champions, and they sit behind each of the seven sisters of Italian football for non-penalty XG p90.
Allegri can’t seem to settle on a formation either, which has seen Vlahović fluctuate between being deployed on his own and alongside Arkadiusz Milik upfront. Still, despite Juventus hitting just 18 goals in their first ten games, the former Partizan striker is responsible for six of these strikes.