Dusan Vlahovic has been linked with AC Milan for quite some time now, but as the rumours have gathered even more steam in recent weeks, what could he bring to the team?
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Milan are expcted to bring in a striker this summer in order to guarantee some goals, following yet another season with poor output from the No.9 position. Several names have been linked with the club, including the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Vlahovic.
As the former’s wages and fierce competition could be roadblocks, what could next season look like if Milan were to focus on the Serbian? Our tactical analysis writer Rohit Rajeev has taken a closer look at what he would bring to the team, narrowing it down to five key points.
Hold-up-play
Vlahovic’s profile makes him a useful target and hold-up player in attack. With his height and physical strength, he can easily receive the ball with his back towards goal, holding off defenders and finding his teammates with one-two passes (for example).
This type of reference point in attack is something that Milan have lacked this season, often playing with Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic up front. However, even when Santiago Gimenez or Christopher Nkunku have played, they haven’t had the same physical presence as Vlahovic would provide.
Stretching the opponents
Even when playing as a striker, we have often seen Leao dropping down to help out in the build-up, or to receive the ball and try to start something himself. However, this isn’t exactly the typical behaviour of a traditional striker, a No.9.
Instead, a striker tends to stay close to the last line of defence (for the opponents) to pin them down, ensuring that they are always a bit stretched. That, in turn, helps create space for the midfielders and the other attackers to move between the lines.
It also prevents the defenders from being able to step up however they want, which could easily disrupt the attacking play. Finally, you ensure that there is always a threat in behind the defence, with the build-up players able to aim long balls towards the striker.
Aerial duels
Milan are currently averaging 22 long balls per game under Allegri, which means it’s very important for the striker to be effective in the aerial duels. Pulisic wins around 0.56 aerial duels per 90 and Leao wins 1.32, whereas Vlahovic shines with 1.49 per 90.
This, again, shows what he could bring as a focal point, particularly in a system that relies on direct play and vertical progression.
Threat in the box
Since Milan attempt around 12 crosses per game, it’s important that you have someone who can get on the end of them. However, as things stand right now, Pulisic and Leao often position themselves for the cut-back (sometimes even outside the box), leading to many crosses being ineffective.
Adding someone like Vlahovic would help solve this issue. His tendency to remain in and around the box, engaging the centre-backs, makes him a clear target for crosses. Not to mention that he’s pretty good with his head, as highlighted by the aerial duels stat above.
Off-the-ball movements
It has been touched on in a roundabout way, but we all know how important it is for a striker to have good movement. In the video below, Vlahovic initially drops towards the play – inviting Hien to step up – before quickly changing his step towards the goal again.
This change of pace and direction created the separation needed to open up the space for McKennie to thread the pass through. Timing and scanning is everything, in other words, and Vlahovic clearly knows how to make use of those two.
Off the ball movements
A striker’s most potent weapon is his movement. In this instance, Vlahović initially drops toward the play, inviting the defender to step with him, before suddenly stopping short and then accelerating past Isak Hien. This change of pace and direction… pic.twitter.com/B24g3v8SvV
— Rohit Rajeev (@keralista) April 23, 2026
What do you think about Vlahovic? Should Milan go for him this summer? Let us know in the comments!
Of course Milan should go for Vlahovic, and keep Pulisic, Leao, and Gimenez.
Nkunku is requested for leave.
Can he stay healthy?
All the things he can do when he is on the pitch doesn’t matter if he isn’t on the pitch.
Always be cautious of a player Juventus wants to sell to you or doesn’t want to keep. They took a lot of flak for letting Dybala leave for free, even after they had everything agreed on a new contract, and we see that they were right. Top player but unfortunately can’t stay healthy.
Vlahovic at Fiorentina looked like the next top striker but since his move to Juventus he is nowhere near that level, between poor play and injuries.
The injuries, the drop off in form and the salary he demands, are a major risk for Milan. Not to mention that he could have moved to Milan last summer but didn’t want to cut his salary a year earlier even though Juventus told him that he isn’t going to be their starter after they signed David and Openda.
True – when you factor in the duds they’ve sold us over the years it is worrying… Apart from Bonucci – who also flopped – the only decent player we’ve got from them was Inzaghi – or am I missing someone?
Would be very happy to see him in a Milan shirt, but if he and Juventus are a long way apart on salary demands then it’s not going to be a demand we’re going to meet either.
I dont think the author has watched Vlahovic play much. His hold up play is average and his applicantion to that part of his game inconsistent.
It’s also weird that a difference of 0.15 aerial duels won per 90min between Leao and Vlahovic would be seen as significant.
So every 7th game played the CF will have won one more aerial dual? How’s that going to impact a season?
Vlahovic is better than the donkey’s Milan passes for CFs (i.e. Giminez and Nkunku) but that’s not the same as being what Milan needs.
Get rid of Allegri and all our forwards will score again. Look at the stats of Juve forwards when Allegri was coaching them there is a clear pattern. This guy only plays boring football and knows how to defend.
You wrote similar stuff when Milan signed Giminez, Nkunku and Bullfrog- all flopped badly. Vlahovic needs seriously reduce his salary. He is nowhere near performing since he joined Juve. On other note, even Messi would struggle to perform under Allegri’s tactics.
I mean Fullkrug, darn autocorrect.
Vlahovic lacks technique. He cannot hold up the ball. Useless.