Serie A has always been a league where the best strikers blossomed. It’s a league where only the best can reach high in the goalscoring charts. And although we won’t be watching the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku this season, Fiorentina goalscorer Dusan Vlahovic is taking the country by storm.The Serbia international’s sublime double in Bergamo saw Vlahovic reach the 20-goal milestone for the year – just two fewer than one Erling Haaland, the world’s hottest striker. Vlahovic (20) is 1of only 6 players to score at least 18 goals in 2021 in top-5 Euro leagues, alongside Lewandowski (29), Messi (23), Silva (20), Haaland (20) & Mbappe (18) – 2 of the 7 times he scored 2+ goals in a single match came vs Atalanta 🔥#AtalantaFiorentina @OptaPaolo pic.twitter.com/iAPHBooH5W— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) September 11, 2021 The man who gave Dusan the additional belief was Cesare Prandelli, the man who returned to the Viola dugout at the beginning of last season. The Serbian lad is now arguably the player of the highest potential in the Italian championship.He was a subject of interest from Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham during the last transfer window, but he stayed with the purples. “I followed my heart. Staying at Fiorentina was my choice and it’s the right one.”It certainly looks like he’s made the right decision. Vlahovic’s already got five goals in four league and cup games in Italy, along with another strike for the Serbian national team. Saturday, 16.00: (3.40) Genoa (3.35) Fiorentina (2.30)As of Monday, 13 September, only Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi have scored more since the turn of the year.To profile Vlahovic only as a goalscorer would be a disservice to the former Partizan Belgrade youngster. He works hard for his team in all phases of play, he uses his dominant physical presence and pace to open up spaces for his teammates and allow his fellow attackers to get into chances. He’s the central figure in most Fiorentina attacks, one that helps include wingers in his team’s attacking moves. In a word, he’s a complete player. The only reason there isn’t more hype surrounding the attacker is that he isn’t playing for what most would consider an elite club. At just 21 years of age, he is a player who could be a leading star in world football in this decade.
Apart from his undisputed technical and physical ability, one thing that separates Fiorentina’s prized asset from similar-profile footballers is his mentality. According to his coach Vincenzo Italiano, Dusan’s desire to win is second to none.”He’s never satisfied, he always wants to improve and perform better – even in training.”With Vlahovic’s contract ending in 2023, the club is working hard to extend his contract as soon as possible to avoid losing him soon on the cheap. The talks are ongoing to offer Vlahovic a contract worth around $4.9 million per season, more than any Fiorentina player has ever had. It’s proof of how highly the wonderkid is rated in the Tuscany region. Will it be enough to keep him is a whole different matter.