For Serie A, the departure of many of the biggest stars is no longer uncommon. Tonali's move from Milan to Newcastle perfectly illustrates the financial strength of Serie A's decline. With the exception of the Saudi league, which has recently been bought, most European leagues have become "suppliers" to the Premier League. While most Serie A teams struggle to balance their accounts, Juventus face a completely different problem. The once-big club ran into legal and financial trouble and had a bad season. The deduction of 10 points has reduced them from the Champions League zone to seventh place and can only participate in the third tier of the European Cup, and it is unclear whether there will be any subsequent penalties.
The lack of revenue from Champions League prize money could trigger the departure of big-name stars this summer, with Chiesa Junior and Vlahovic as the main candidates. For these two former Fiorentina stars, which one should the old woman keep? Who will be a victim?
The perfect partner for the unformed
When Juve signed Vlahovic in 2002, fans longed for his partnership with Chiesa Junior, after all, the two had worked together with Purple Lily. But that expectation was too high, and the two failed to become such a partner when they were in Florence. While Chiesa Jr. was playing in Serie A, the Serbian was still in the first team.
As a result, the duo had little time to form a chemical reaction and become a real striker. In addition, Allegri's current 3-5-2 formation may also limit their chances of teaming up.
Vlahovich
In today's football, positive center forwards are a scarce commodity. This summer window, several of Europe's top teams (Bayern, Real Madrid, etc.) are looking for a true No.9 player. A team with this type of player will certainly not let people go easily. Therefore, Juve must think carefully before deciding to waive Vlahovic. Although the 23-year-old striker did not perform well last season, his previous highlights are still vivid.
In the 22-23 season, the Serbian suffered from physical problems, was inconsistent and fell into a goal drought. But with his explosive performance in the purple lily, he still has market appeal. If it is sold at this time, the old woman should be able to recoup most of the investment. But if he endures another dismal season under Allegri, his transfer value will shrink significantly, and it will be a matter of luck to sell for a good price. And his constant groin pain shows no signs of going away immediately.
So, if selling Vlahovic is a risky move, keeping him for another season could also be risky.
Chiesa Jr
For most Juventus fans, sacrificing Chiesa Jr. is intolerable. Since joining in 2020, the winger has become a fan darling. He is one of the few bright spots in the club's dark ages and plays a vital role in attack. With the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, Dybala and Di Maria, Chiesa Junior became one of the few players who could create a threat in the opposing box. In many ways, purging the Euro 2020 hero is tantamount to self-destruction for the old woman.
However, while recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, the image that ravaged the opposing defense before last year is becoming less and less common. Of course, recovery from such a major injury will take a long time, so Allegri has always stressed that the "real Chiesa" will return in the 23-24 season. But history tells us that some stars struggle to return to their original form after such injuries.
The Juve boss could be another key factor driving players away. While he may still maintain his preferred 3-5-2 formation, it's a question of whether a winger like Chiesa Junior can fit in is a question. Last season, he played as a second forward, wing-back and even a centre-forward, but it didn't work well.
Finally, Chiesa Jr.'s contract expires in 2025, so this could be the old woman's last chance to secure a hefty transfer fee. Unless the contract is renewed, the club will only face selling it at a low price or leaving it free the following year to replicate Dybala's lessons.
epilogue
To sum up, the future of Chiesa Junior and Vlahovic is a dilemma for Juve. One of them is an impulsive winger who can be an X-factor, and the other is a young goalscorer that many teams covet. However, if they continue to sink in Turin for another season, the value of the two will plummet. So retaining both faces equal risks, especially for a club that is struggling financially.
Therefore, the sacrifice of at least one person may be inevitable. Who goes and who stays is ultimately determined by the market, not the club. In other words, Juve will sell the one with the highest offer. But if the Bianconeri had a choice, they might have stayed in Chiesa Jr. at the expense of Vlahovic. Either way, it's a painful choice for the club's hierarchy, but at the moment they have no alternative to Chiesa Junior (not disrespectful to Viah Junior and Kostić).
On the other hand, given enough chances, Millik's finishing ability can be relied upon. In the first half of last season, his performance briefly overshadowed Vlahovic, but injuries hampered his momentum.
How the intertwined plots of Vlahovic and Chiesa Junior develop will attract attention, and the final decision is about Juve's stability.