After nearly 10 years in Berlin and 218 appearances, Josip Šimunić will no longer wear a Hertha uniform as Hoffenheim has locked in the fierce center back for the next three years. Šimunić and his manager at Hertha have been on shaky ground after disagreements left their relationship in shambles.
Hoffenheim has reportedly bought Josip for seven million Euro and will pay him three million per season.
I’m happy with this move as Joe won’t have to over-perform as if he were at a big club. Hoffenheim had a fantastic run last season and was even in first place going into the winter break.
@Ziva istina..
i think you have me confused.. Drpic has no business playing for the Croatian league, and most likely the Bundesliga… No offers for him to leave Karlsruhe who just got relegated..
Here i found the link…
http://www.croatiansoccerreport.com/2009/02/croatians-around-europe_22.html
scroll down and take a look at the Drpic Tshirt on sale on the official team website..
If I recall, Karlsruhe did not make any such shirt. the idea was nixed by the league, although I am sure some supporters group made something similiar. Wont matter much anyway, Drpic will be out of Germany within 2 years. His play is terrible and only suited for the croatian league.
i think we have to try and get in Bilic's mind though. We can all say what team we want – but if he is refusing to move Pranjic from left back, i'd prefer Modric helping to protect him than Niko or Rakitic. Also he can drift from the left. Vukojevic and Leko may work as they both can defend and attack. That was what Niko Kovac was a player that created and defended in equal measure. Juric i doubt has even scored 10 goals in his career though and is a bit limited and old it seems to me plus from his recent comments he seems like he's out of place.
The thing about Leko is that yes at Monaco it just looks like he's picking up his wage and doesn't care too much, but at the national team he hasn't let us down really. He also has a ferocious shot which is an asset in the defensive midfield and he has pace to get around the pitch. I think if going on Bilic's idea that'd be one of the more preferred. I think Vukojevic and Modric still leaves the problem of Pranjic being exposed still. Leko, Modric and Pranjic might protect that side better than Modric, Pranjic and Kranjcar/Rakitic might. Just an idea really.
@Ziva istina
dude, you really have to check your facts on this…
Look at our previous articles on Drpic… Karlsruhe made a '69' T shirt with Drpic' name.
Nives all of a sudden became a columnist for a big German newspaper….
sex sells my friend… Also, In germany, prostitutes are legal… except in religious Bavaria… (I've heard, read, and seen..never tried) haha
Drpic selling what…. Outside some ra magazine in germany, nobody knows who Drpic or his whore wife are outside of Cro.
Leko is ferocious when he gets off the bench at the last 15-20 minutes of the games. He's a great sub.
I agree with the lack of a Niko Kovac type of replacement. I thought Juric might have been able to fill the role well. It's funny, when he played I took him for granted and now that he's not playing we all miss his presence. Maybe when Dudu is 100% he can help to make up for that lack of presence that Kovac had. Someone like Ballack would be perfect.
@Dario
'I'm sure Hertha could use some of that glamour too, say for instance , start a line of Dino briefs and Nives knickers..'
Hilarious, at the same time so true..
@Dinamofan
'Definitely agree that Drpic sells. His wife is really putting herself around in Germany.'
Drpic comes as a package of 2… soccer is a business.. sad but true
'Klasnic should really stay quiet and work harder'
so true, however, France doesnt fit and even a bottom feeder Bundesliga team would be a better fit.
@ziva Istina
Lets face it, Croatia doesnt have 2 or 3 teams like a Argentina, Brazil or Netherlands….
Pokrivac is still a baby… and with a baby.. theres baby steps..
Leko is close on top of the mountain heading downhill soon.. a few more years and he is done.
Bottom line, Croatia doesnt have a niko Kovac replacement. Until we solve this problem, 5 Luka Modric' wont help.
Pokrivac should not see the field a national team player. He has shown nothing with Monaco that warrants a spot on the roster. Leko is servicebale as a back up on the national team. If we need him to start, then we are in trouble.
Re: dinamofan:)
Yes, Standard has direct entry to Champions League next season so let's cross our fingers for Mikulic!
Your current hierarchy for Croatia centreback sounds right to me… well said on the part regarding Leko (and Pokrivac).
RE: darijo
Marcic has been injured much of the season, but returned in May. Personally i'd say Ipsa still has a bit of a way to go prove to himself. He sort of flopped at Energie Cottbus so i'm not particularly sure he is doing much better than Drpic. However Mikulic should be ahead of Drpic and Vejic definitely. Anyone that plays over 30 decent games at their club and plays Euro competition is really the standard we're look for.
I think we should see how he goes with Standard playing at the highest level this season. Does Belgium have a straight entry into Champions League group stage yet cos i think its a disgrace that they haven't had when Scotland has. Mikulic and Standard should definitely be in Champions League next season.
Goran Sablic is another guy who i hope stays in the squad. Also hopefully Knezevic begins playing again with Livorno and comes back into contention which will then leave no place for Drpic and Vejic. I think Robert Kovac can stay on the roster on the bench as he has a lot of know how to pass on and probably will be a positive influence in the squad. I doubt he'd be in the team ahead of Simunic and Krizanac next year and hopefully Sablic will be first pick if either is injured.
Anyone know how the story about Jerko Leko going to Wolves is progressing? I'm undecided if its a good or bad thing. Leko doesn't seem to enjoy it in France, but prob will do better in all action Premiership. Also i think Pokrivac and Leko could do with being broken up at Monaco as one blocks the other from getting in the side.
Re: Mikulic and Ipsa
Yep, I also agree with dinamofan:) that Mikulic should be looked at by Bilic. In fact I think he could get a call up as early as this fall with a couple of strong performances in the Champions League where Standard is qualified for the group stage.
Regarding Ipsa, he is currently a regular at FC Midtjylland which is a very competent club in Denmark. The Danish league is actually not a bad place for young footballers and its top players are usually scouted by liga petica clubs. FCM itself has exported several players overseas, the last of which I think is Simon Kjaer to Palermo. If Ipsa is able to become one of the top defenders in Denmark, I am confident he would be on his way again. Same can’t be said of Filip Marcic though – guy hasn't been playing for some reason.
Definitely agree that Drpic sells. His wife is really putting herself around in Germany. Drpic has become quite embarrassing really. I always liked the theory of if you play well you should get a look. Tomislav Mikulic fits in this category. He was quite solid for Standard and has been playing the sort of football that is the right level for national team such as regular UEFA Cup participation. Along with Goran Sablic that is the level we are look for our players to be at. His spell at Dinamo didn't last long really as we got money for him and just like with Schildenfeld and Cale Mamic took it without thinking. Actually with Schildenfeld, Cale and Mikulic gone our defence was very insecure until Kovac arrived.
Regards Rakitic i think he must have learned something this last 2 years. There is no questions Schalke punished him and Magath wouldn't stand for it either. I think a reunion with Petric at Hamburg would hugely benefit him. Schalkes team is also not very disciplined. Theres too many of those free floating players. He could do with being at a more disciplined side.
Actually regards Klasnic he is worse than Rakitic. Rakitic is young – but Klasnic is like a man annoyed. His temper gets the better of him and even off the field on his website he moans too much. Klasnic made a terrible move – but all his teammates tried their best and just are not good enough – but as for Klasnic did he try his hardest – personally i think not.
Klasnic also has been moaning about not playing in the national team which really is outrageous cos he has had a bad season so how can we give his preference. He scored just 6 in all competitions when Olic and Petric made a strike partnership of over 40 something goals. Its bizarre Klasnic cannot see that Bilic actually stuck by him.
I quite like Klasnic, but i am teetering on being okay about things if Croatia decide they had enough of. Having said i'd always choose Klasnic over Kalinic. Klasnic attitude does stink at times and it makes Mate Bilic's ommission seem even more unfair when people like Klasnic create bad atmospheres when they've not put in much effort this season. Klasnic should really stay quiet and work harder.
@Denis
I'm sure Hertha could use some of that glamour too, say for instance , start a line of Dino briefs and Nives knickers..
Overall a decent move for Joe. Lets face it, at 31, Joe is not the same crazy Joe capable of breaking FIFA records with a "triple"…
Or would you rather see Šimunić ride the bench at Liverpool and finish off his career at Dinamo like Robert kovač…
Joe will start every match for Hoffenheim, will be comfortable consuming German bratwursts day in night out, and will compete for at least a UEFA cup spot.
Ilicevic was resigned and as long as Joe is starting in a top 4 league in the world his place is guaranteed in Croatia..
@Darijo
Dino Drpic was signed to sell shirts. Also, Drpic and his wife were packaged together in the deal. Who knows what happens behind the scenes…
@Dinamofan
Yes, if Mamic received offers elsewhere, Drpic would be playing elsewhere… I don't here any other offers for Drpic..
@Croatiafan:)
Klasnic needs to follow Simunic and secure a Bundesliga contract. Croats don't play in France for a reason. I am starting to get worried about Klasnic. Now that Mandza is secured at Dinamo, how about Werder?
@Andrej
i agree… 100%
@Petar Radman
Rakitic has enormous talent and potential, however, lacks heart and character. Hopefully, a world class trainer like Magath can carve out a soldier out of Ivan.
@ DinamoFan – Yes, I am in agreement with you for the most part. I have always been an admirer of Mikulic. I think he has the perfect frame to play CB for the national team, was quite surprised that his adventure back into the HNL didn't last longer. Teams in Croatia need capable starting CBs, he is one that just needs some time and confidence. What about Kristen Ipsa, what happened to that guy? Last time I checked he was playing in Scandinavia. He had soo much promise, I think he was sold far to young.
I also agree with you that Ilicevic is behind Sharbini in the pecking order. However, Ilicevic is more then capable playing in the middle, something that can prove as an asset to him. We are loaded for options on the left side of midfield. I am curious, what do you think of Rakitic now that he will be playing under Magath? Do you think that Felix will get the most out of Rakitic? I fear the kids ego will ruin him.
Please no to Drpic! He is nowhere near class in Croatia. If he is best we have to offer ubi me sada
Dino Drpic should be nowhere enar the national team. He aned his whore wife need to get as far from croatia as they can.
Don't get me wrong i like Ilicevic – actually am a fan of Lakic and Bjelanovic as well but its not a good idea to play so many second division players. I think Ilicevic is behind Sharbini now in the pecking order. He needs to get promoted with Kaiserslautern who are a big club in the wrong division and hopefully that'll be his foundation to progress. As for Drpic i was a fan of him when he was younger, but he's lost his way since then. I don't believe a guy with his reputation should play in the national team. I've read this Hertha speculation. If he does move good for him as Bilic is his friend so will opt for him if he's top flight player, but i doubt Karlsruhre will give him up so easy and it will look bad on him if he is walking out already when his transfer only happened a month or so ago. Also if Mamic is prepared to get him out club for any price it shows his behaviour was quite bad as Mamic often will not normally let someone go without taking all the money they can possibly give. Personally i couldn't care less if Drpic moves or not. Hopefully Knezevic will get playing regularly again and keep him out the squad along with Sablic. I think one defender that possibly needs observation is Mikulic at Standard Liege who was quite steady last season.
I am not against this move at all. I would have hoped that he signed with Hamburg or schalke, however, Hoffenheim is a ambitious club. I think they will battle for a Europa League Spot.
@DinamoFan – I agree with you for the most part, I disagree with you on Ilicevic. He was plagued by injuries last year. I remember after our U-21s lost to the Italians, Casiraghi told the Croatian media that it was Ilicevic that made the biggest impression on him, that he looked like a young Zola. I think that once he gets back to full health, he will make a name for himself. Marko Marin was playing in the second division and was still given a call up to the German National Team, so, I dont see why it would hurt the potential of Ilicevic.
They sold Joe for 7 million euros and he will be making 3 million euros per season. Good deal for Joe
Does anyone know Joe's transfer fee? I read the president of Hertha saying that Simunic may be sold in order to provide the finances to rebuild the whole team. Looks like that is the true reason for his transfer as Hertha has no money or other assets to use. Hopefully they'll use the money to rescue Klasnic from the black hole that is FC Nantes.
Also if you think Drpic is going to join Hertha already from Karlruhre believe me if Mamic knew he could get more money for Drpic he would have not sold him to Karlsruhre. Mamic can smell money even when someones hiding it in his socks. We can write Drpic off for this year as second division fodder just like Lakic, Bjelanovic, Biliskov, Ilicevic and the rest of the guys that don't get national team call ups for that reason.
Ew! Hoffenheim – how did that happen. This seems like a step backwards. Nobody knows it Hoffenheim will repeat the same season. If they keep Ibisevic, Sailhovic and Ba i expect them to not be down there, but its gonna be hard for them to compete. Not sure Simunic needed to do this. I thought he was going to big club not smaller one. Dino Drpic has signed for Karlsuhre. He isn't available from Dinamo anymore. We sold him. Drpic also is no Josip Simunic. When thinking Drpic think of a Croatian Titus Bramble – with a attractive wife:) Drpic will be in Bundesliga 2 next season and therefore must go from the national team.
I hope Joe will help Hoffenheim to establish their top flight status. Now let's look for Hertha to sign Dino Drpic as replacement!