Dusan Vlahovic has spoken in detail for the first time since leaving Juventus about his final years in Turin, the failed contract extension talks, his relationship with the fans, his serious injury and Luciano Spalletti. The Serbian striker insists that much of the information that circulated publicly about his contract was inaccurate, but despite everything he left Juventus without bitterness.
Vlahovic's spell in Turin came to an end this summer after four and a half years. His contract expired on 30 June, after which he became a free agent and eventually continued his career at Beşiktaş. In a lengthy interview with Mozzart Sport, he has now given his version of the events that preceded his parting of ways with the Bianconeri.
VLAHOVIC: “FOR THREE YEARS THERE WAS TALK OF A NEW CONTRACT, BUT THERE WAS NEVER A CONCRETE CONVERSATION”
The most interesting part of the interview certainly concerns the long-running saga over extending his stay at Juventus.
Vlahovic claims that for three whole years there was public talk of his new contract and his alleged demands, while during that time, by his own account, he did not have a single concrete conversation with the Juventus hierarchy about an extension.
The situation only changed towards the end of his final season. Vlahovic revealed that talks were held then, with the last meeting taking place on 2 June. No agreement was reached, and after that there was no further contact with Juventus. He also stressed that much of the information about the terms he had supposedly demanded was not true.
“I STARTED THE SEASON ON THE BENCH BECAUSE I WAS ENTERING THE FINAL YEAR OF MY CONTRACT”
The Serbian striker also spoke about his status in the squad during his final season in Turin. In his view, the fact that he was entering the final year of his contract was the main reason he did not start the season as first choice. Juventus had in the meantime signed two new strikers, but Vlahovic says he accepted the situation and kept working regardless of his standing in the squad. At the same time, he felt the pressure building in the media and among the fans because of the talk about his future.
Vlahovic believes the years of media reports also affected the way some fans viewed him. He explained that he understood the supporters' reaction, since every day they were reading that he was supposedly refusing a contract extension. Despite that, he chose not to speak publicly about the situation while he was still a Juventus player.
As proof of his attitude towards the club, he pointed out that he continued to give everything on the pitch even as his contract was running down. He admitted, however, that it was not easy when he was also whistled from the stands.
VLAHOVIC ON SPALLETTI: “HE WANTED ME TO STAY AT JUVENTUS”
Vlahovic had particularly warm words for Luciano Spalletti. The Serbian striker revealed that Spalletti wanted him to stay in Turin and thanked him for the way he treated him, both while he was playing and while he was recovering from injury. Just as he was starting to regain continuity and minutes, Vlahovic suffered a serious injury that kept him off the pitch for around four and a half months. As he puts it, a large part of his season was effectively wiped out as a result.
AN EMOTIONAL FAREWELL: “JUVENTUS ARE ONE OF THE BIGGEST CLUBS IN THE WORLD”
Despite the way his time in Turin ended, Vlahovic had no bad words for Juventus. He stressed that it was a great honour to wear the black and white shirt for four and a half years and thanked the club, his teammates and the fans. His biggest regret remains the fact that his generation failed to consistently challenge for the biggest trophies. Vlahovic believes Juventus will return to where they belong – to the fight for the biggest titles.
A RETURN TO JUVENTUS ONE DAY? “NEVER SAY NEVER”
One of the most interesting questions was whether he could picture himself in the Old Lady's shirt again. Vlahovic did not close the door on a possible return to Turin. He said that football has taught him never to rule anything out definitively and that you “never say never”. For now, though, he is fully focused on his new club.
“JUVENTUS GAVE ME A LOT”
Rounding off the conversation about the Bianconeri, Vlahovic made it clear that he did not leave Turin angry. He described Juventus as a huge club, one of the biggest in the world and the biggest in Italy, and stressed in particular how much it hurts him that during his time there the team was unable to reach the level required to regularly win the biggest trophies.
Source: Mozzart Sport – interview with Dusan Vlahovic
