MY ACCOUNT
Dusan Vlahovic believes comparisons with former Juventus striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic are “unfair”, with the Serbia international wanting to focus on his own career.
The evergreen Ibrahimovic played for Juve for two seasons between 2004 and 2006, lifting the Scudetto in back-to-back campaigns.
Ibrahimovic has since returned to AC Milan – via Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and LA Galaxy – and helped to end the Rossoneri’s 11-year wait for the Scudetto this season.
Vlahovic swapped Fiorentina for Juve in a big-money move in January, managing 10 goal involvements in his 21 outings in all competitions – two more than any Bianconeri team-mate since he made his debut.
The former Viola talisman offers Massimiliano Allegri’s side a notable point of difference up top, with his physicality and strength in contrast to the diminutive figure of the outgoing Paulo Dybala.
That has led to comparisons between Vlahovic and Sweden veteran Ibrahimovic, but the former is uninterested in the debate surrounding the pair.
“Comparing players with great champions who have scored 400, 500 goals in their careers, who have won 20 or 30 titles, is probably a little unfair!,” Vlahovic told The Telegraph.
“It doesn’t annoy me but it’s also true that when those types of comparison are made and then you make one or two mistakes and the expectations have been hyped then you get critiqued.
“We all have the right to make mistakes; we are all human. I want to have my own career.”
While Juve convinced Vlahovic to move to Turin in January, Premier League side Arsenal were also among his suitors, but the striker insists he never spoke to the Gunners about a transfer.
“Maybe my agent knows [about Arsenal’s offer] but I never talked to anyone about it,” he continued.
“I just had one club in my mind because Juventus is Juventus. There is nothing else to say, and now I feel honoured to be given this jersey. It’s incredible every time I put it on.
“I definitely identify with their DNA. The Juventus personality coincides with my personality. When you come here you never give up, you fight all the time, you make the sacrifices. This was definitely what I was looking for.”
