This is only with Chiesa out. With a healthy Chiesa and Vlahovic, Dybala doesn’t have a place on the pitch imo. Not in a well-functioning starting XI. At this stage in his career with his pretty much non-existent athleticism, pace, and ability to work hard, he’s not a very useful player when you have a #9 like Vlahovic and a creative attacking winger. Chiesa had 11 assists last year and was on pace for 11 again this year before his injury (if he played same minutes). Dybala just isn’t creative enough in and around the box.
When he initially came I was hoping he would be a double digit (non-penalty) assist sorta player each season. 20-25 goals and 10-15 assists deal. But he hasn’t once put up 10+ non-penalty assists because he looks to shoot 99% of the time he has the ball around the box. Even going by since Vlahovic came, he just consistently ignores Dusan’s runs in the box. The worst recent one was the one against Inter where he easily could have set up Vlahovic with a simple pass for a wide open 1v1 with the keeper/easy goal but instead chose to take a contested shot and basically rolled the ball to Handanovic. It was embarrassing stuff from the guy who is supposed to be our number 10, our creative outlet. He doesn’t create near enough.
Anyways, what I’m saying is get another winger. Even if that winger is a slightly lesser player than Dybala. If he works hard, has some pace, and looks to create first, he’s more useful to our current squad than Dybala is. We’ll be better for it. If he’s young and has potential upside all the better.