Former Premier League forward Gabby Agbonlahor feels Chelsea target Dusan Vlahovic may not “make it in the Premier League”, and he “wouldn’t get him”.
Despite having signed two attackers this summer who have shared the no.9 role in pre-season, the Blues continue to search for attacking reinforcements. After all, they are renowned of late for spending mammoth sums of money on players, having bought 14 last summer.
Juventus forward Vlahovic has emerged as their top target of late. He’s the subject of a potential swap deal, which would send Romelu Lukaku the other way.
The agreement over that deal is one that’s reportedly ‘slowly’ nearing, with Lukaku eager to make the move. It’s unsurprising that he’s ready to go back to Serie A, after he told Chelsea he wanted to leave them for a second spell at Inter Milan ahead of last season.
The Blues might only have to pay around £35million, while letting Juve have Lukaku on top of that. Acquiring Vlahovic – who commanded a £68m fee to Juventus – for that fee seems good business, but Agbonlahor feels the striker may struggle at Chelsea.
“I feel that if you struggle in the Champions League and if you struggle in Serie A, you’re definitely going to struggle in the Premier League,” he told Football Insider.
“The Premier League is the toughest league in the world. And if you’re struggling at Juventus, you know, you’re not going to make it in the Premier League for me, it’s going to be very difficult, as the defenders are only getting better and better.
“I know for a fact there’s no easy games in the Premier League, you’re not going to be guaranteed goals like the Serie A. So, I wouldn’t get him.”
Vlahovic hasn’t really struggled in Serie A. Two seasons ago, when he played half a season for Fiorentina and then moved to Juventus, he bagged 24 goals in the league.
Last term, his season was stunted by injuries, but he still managed to score 10 goals in the 27 games he did play. While he’s only scored two Champions League goals – and an assist – he’s only played seven games in the competition.
In any case, Agbonlahor feels Chelsea should be aiming higher.
“I feel that Chelsea should be at the level where they think do we want a player who Juventus don’t want, is that where Chelsea are at? Chelsea are different level,” he added.
“They should be going and taking players like Moises Caicedo and maybe strikers other clubs still want.”
It’s all well and good saying that, and it does look as if the Blues may improve under Mauricio Pochettino, but they finished 12th in the Premier League last season, so huge names might simply not want to join them. If Vlahovic does, he seems a good signing.
What’s more, Juventus seemingly don’t want him because he’s a saleable asset and they’re in financial strife.
On the Caicedo front, the Blues are still trying, despite progress being slow after their latest rejected bid.
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