DID DARIJO SRNA MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION TO STAY?
Captain Darijo Srna and his Shakhtar Donetsk club are done with Champions League after only two qualifying matches this season. After a goalless affair against Timişoara in Romania Wednesday night, Shakhtar will return to the Europa League where they have some Cup defending to do.
Srna and Shakhtar were supposed to show how strong they could be this year in Champions League after winning the UEFA Cup last campaign. Well, that plan has already been thwarted.
What has Srna done? He was getting offers from some of Europe’s elite clubs earlier in the summer and chose to stay in Ukraine. The only thing he could have done in Donetsk that he hasn’t helped them accomplish already is to make a deep run in Champions League. That dream is already over two games into qualifying. What a disaster!
The only thing Srna can now do to justify him not leaving Ukraine is to bring Shakhtar the Ukrainian Premiership title as well as another Europa League crown this season. He’s definitely dug a hole for himself.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Good day !.
You re, I guess , perhaps very interested to know how one can manage to receive high yields .
There is no initial capital needed You may commense to receive yields with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.
AimTrust is what you haven`t ever dreamt of such a chance to become rich
The firm incorporates an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.
Its head office is in Panama with affiliates around the world.
Do you want to become a happy investor?
That`s your choice That`s what you really need!
I`m happy and lucky, I started to get real money with the help of this company,
and I invite you to do the same. It`s all about how to select a proper partner who uses your money in a right way – that`s the AimTrust!.
I take now up to 2G every day, and my first investment was 500 dollars only!
It`s easy to get involved , just click this link http://apibazifi.wtcsites.com/nemymif.html
and lucky you`re! Let`s take this option together to get rid of nastiness of the life
@Ziva Istina
"No one will remember his name in 10 years regardless where he plays."
I disagree. Srna will be remembered ten years from now if he puts in 4 good years at a Liverpool, Bayern, Milan etc. Lifting the UEFA cup means nothing.
"Don't compare him to Donovan."
I never compared Srna to Donovan. I compared them because they are in the same situation. Donovan is virtually unknown in Europe. Donovan has scored the most goals ever for the American national team and never hung in Europe for a season. Sran could win UEFA cup after UEfa cup, Ukrainian Cup after Ukrainian cup and it wont matter.
big Boys jump to the next level. Donovan and Srna are staying in their comfort zone.
"As for the arguement that he has already made $$$$ for three lifetimes…whose lifetime" your or his?"
The average person. The average person needs one car and one house. Srna can afford a million dollar car and a 10 million dollar house.
"Maybe the dude wants to invest big time into croatia when he is done playing and is building much capital as possible now."
This is called wasted talent. There are hundreds of people out there that are capable to invest in Croatia. However, there is one Dario Srna. Money comes and goes. Srna needs to make the next move.
Pranjic had to pay off Heerenveen to sign for Bayern. Look at him now starting for the biggest club in Germany while Dario is eating shishlik in Donetsk.
"I sure dont know too many people that would leave one job for another and take a pay cut in the process."
A job is not all about the $$$$.
@Vatreni
I'm with you on Srna
@Vlad
I disagree. The transfer fee for Srna is rediculous. Playing for Everton means that you play the Liverpools, ManUs, Chelseas, Arsenals, etc etc..
Playing for Shakhtar gives you Dinamo, Metalist, and a few other mediocre teams.
Sran means more to Shakhtar than Shakhtar means to Srna.
@Petar RAdman
Good stuff. I agree with Rakitic as well.
@Dinamofan:)
"Vlad is right – Srna to Barca will be purely money orrientated as he would not be on the football field unless someone he is gonna take the place of Dani Alves and Messi."
Yes, Vlad is right. But we are talking about the best team in the world. Lets throw Srna somewhere on the 6th best team in the world.
@Vlad Srna has 2 realistic options at the moment. Either he stays and finishes his career at Shahktar or he leaves now. You and @AnteKvartuc both said he hasn't proven himself in a top league. Well I think proving yourself at an international level is enough. That's why players like Oguchi Onyewu(U.S.A.) go to AC Milan after they have a few good games at the Conferations Cup. If a player can play well against Brazil, Italy etc it means he can play in any league. National teams have the top players in their countries and Srna has proven himself game after game at the international level.
You have to understand that Srna makes over 3 million euro a year. That is an impressive salary in any country. If he leaves he may even have to take a lower salary. People forget that soccer is #1-a business #2-a sport. Anyone who forgets this does not understand professional soccer. No one doing their job well wants a pay cut. People say who cares he's already made millions. Well I'm sure Srna cares. He's a foreigner and captain of Shahktar. Srna is a king there and it won't be easy for him to leave. He will leave when he DEMANDS A TRANSFER. The owner of the club is a billionaire and he doesn't want to see Srna go. I want him to go to another club soon. He's accomplished everything he can with Shahktar and its time for him to move on. Srna is an amazing player and you will soon see that he can play at a top club in Western Europe. I agree with @dinamofan with his choice of clubs that would make sense for Srna Milan, Roma, Bayern, Fiorentina (maybe), Villareal, Valencia, Sevilla, Atletico, Liverpool, Chelsea.
Vatreni: never said srna has no skill, he's a dead ball specialist, and ya hes scored some big goals for national and club teams, i have to ask you something if he's so good like you make him sound then why is he in ukraine, the way you make him sound shit he shoud be playing for madrid. Another thing a skilled player, challenges one on one carries the ball, srna looks for fouls alll the time why he cant beat a guy on on one, the the diffrence, top clubs play fluent soccer fast, you talk as if you are sir alex ferguson himself, As for beckham the gus a loser, he acts as if hes bigger than the game, coming to america being way over paid and then leaiving them to go to italy if you make a commitment you should stick with it the guys a flake, as for srna i hope he gets a transfer soon, because it would be good for croatia, the more croatians we have playing in the west is better, but the longer he stays in ukraine the less likely hell transfer as no one is gonna pay big money for a 28 or 29 year old, it has to be know or never.
Part of reason Srna doesn't beat players often is cos he is obsessed with winning free kicks. Actually Srna and Dani Alves are quite similar – they are both the same with constantly bouncing off players and turning to ref cos they know they'd be on the freekick. They both also know they can hit the goal from anywhere as shown by Srna's goal v Turkey and Macedonia. As for Modric and Srna comparision i believe Modric is nowhere near achieved what Dario Srna has yet or Niko Kranjcar. Srna has done it in Hajduk, done it in Shaktar and for Croatia. He hasn't played in a strong league however he has always performed against big teams. Maybe he does need to move to a big league. I'd say he should move in the winter now after Shaktars elimination as he has nothing to prove there, but he shouldn't go to some side like Modric is at cos Spurs have done nothing in the last 20 years. Its only Milan, Roma, Bayern, Fiorentina (maybe), Villareal, Valencia, Sevilla, Atletico, Liverpool, Chelsea – the rest can sod off. Yes i know there are other really big sides like Real, Man Utd, but i don't think they have ever thought about Srna so its pointless mentioning those sides. Teams like Spurs, Lazio, Palermo, Hamburg is a step backwards cos they can't promise Champions league or Europa Liga football and that's what Srna always gets just now.
@ Vatreni,
I believe you when you say that Srna can play at any club. But like I said before, he will have to leave Ukraine first to prove it to the rest of the world.
You can't just talk on behalf of him and say that he's the best. He has to move to a top 4 league then perform to prove it first. I don't deny he can't handle it, I'm just saying he can't prove it in Ukraine.
@Vlad I disagree with you again I think Beckham is a great player. He's getting old now but I don't think he gets the respect he deserves for his career. He had great years at Man U and was impressive for Real Madrid. Beckham has played for Man U, Real Madrid, and AC Milan so you can't say he sucks. There are many different types of player out there but not many have amazing right foots like Beckham and Srna. It sets them apart from other right sided players. Every game they create 2-3 great chances by corner kicks, free kicks, and crosses. Srna might not do any amazing moves like Christiano Ronaldo but I've seen him beat many players down line. Another thing I think is great about Srna is he's come up big in important games. A few that come to my mind are
1)Scoring freekick in Sweden to beat them 1-0 for WC qualifying
2)Scoring freekick against Macedonia to tie the game 1-1 in ZG for Euro qualifying
3)Scoring freekick against Australia to take 1-0 lead in WC
4)Assisting goal that put Shakhtar up 2-1 to win Uefa Cup
These are just a few moments that I remember. Srna can play at any club in the world and both Vlad and Ante Kvartuc will find out soon. If he doesn't transfer somewhere now he will leave at the winter transfer. I believe he's done with Ukraine.
@Vlad-to play in a top club you have to have more than workethic you have to be a complete player with skill.
So you're saying Srna doesn't have skill. That's ridiculous you must have never played soccer. You have no idea how hard it is to hit a ball as precisely as he does. That is skill which you know nothing about since you have no respect for Beckham.
@ Vlad,
First of all, welcome back! Where have you been?
I agree with you about Srna not being a world class player. Don't get me wrong, he has some of the better free kicks and crosses out there but world class is another story. No one can argue Srna's love for the game and how hard he plays but to say he's an automatic lock at some of these clubs is not true.
He is very much 'Beckham-like'- except with much more heart and drive. He was actually called 'Beckham of the Balkans' a few years back.
But to argue another point about Srna being world class…we will never know until he actually moves to an elite league and proves himself. He might well be a world class player, but he's going to have to leave Ukraine first to prove it.
vatreni: either im not croatian or a big dinamo fan, what a dumb comment, why bc i think srna is not world class, how can anyone think srna is world class, hes good i like him great national team player, but he's limited, he's an average right midfielder, he cant beat players one on one, have you ever seen srna beat someone with a move, his pace is not blazing fast, ya he has a great free kick so does david beckham and i think beckham sucks, hes a good fullback bc he can cross from open space, he rarely delivers a good cross on the run, i strongly believe if someone is so good a club would pursue you, i dont believe its all about the money like some people stated, srna's an athlete, if he had the oppertunity to go to ac milan or man u or whatever club i think he would have gone, theres a reason why da silva went to arsenal, bc hes good, or modric went to england, when i compare srna to the likes of jarni jarni was a way better fullback, and thats why he played for real madrid, real betis, juve, not in ukraine, to play in a top club you have to have more than workethic you have to be a complete player with skill.
I strongly believe Bayern will be back in for Dario Srna, but they need to sell Luca Toni who is a wasted asset as well as Marc Van Bommell. Also if they sell Ribiery they would come for Srna. But until all that happens they are stuck. However Bayerns hierachy say they are still wanting a right back. Bayern may not make a move till winter though. Things will have to happen quick for them to afford Srna.
Well i think to be honest Srna has achieved about all he needs to at Shaktar. They 100% had to be in Champions League this year. That would be what Srna would have been aiming for and what Shaktar would regard as progression. However as its not happened winning the Europa Liga is something they've already done. If they do it they'd say just like Seville yeah its nice, but for Shaktar Champions League is where there ambition is now.
As Shaktar only have Europa Liga to offer Srna i think he should discuss with Chairman transferring in Winter and am sure he will agree to it. He should not transfer this summer as very few clubs have money and he doesn't need to rush. If he organised to transfer in winter i am certain he'd get a move once clubs have reorganised there finances – i.e had some Champions League money and sold off fringe players. At present all the big clubs over spent and have no money at all left. As said Srna is not going for cheap. I'm glad someone mentioned Alonso, Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo yeah that all wanted to move and they were made to wait until there clubs got astonishing transfer fees for them. You can't therefore make this comparison to Srna who some believe Shaktar should release for pennies. Pay the £15m in winter and he'll transfer. Certain of it.
Why not talk about NIKO KRANJCAR, JERKO LEKO, NIKOLA POKRIVAC, STIPE PLETIKOSA AND IVAN KLASNIC As these players are in the shits.
As for who will remember Srna – firstly Shaktar Donetsk fans, Croatia fans and he'll go down in history with the same status as guys like Florin Radacious, Marius Lacutus, Lubo Moravcik, Mario Stanic all players i still remember. Very few players are remembered as Great players – often many are remembered by the locals. Even people like Di Stefano and Gerd Muller go out of peoples heads eventually. I believe Srna should transfer if the right bid comes along. People who say Hertha and Fiorentina are a step up are joking. Hertha are a small club that can only pay £3m maximum for players and couldn't even hold onto a guy like Pantelic, Voronin or Simunic, no mind pay £15m for Dario Srna. Milan, Liverpool or Bayern is all he should think about. Vlad is right – Srna to Barca will be purely money orrientated as he would not be on the football field unless someone he is gonna take the place of Dani Alves and Messi.
@ Vlad – Srna can play for almost any club in the world, and start. If not as right back, then right midfield. His work rate and energy cant even be compared, he leaves everything on the field.
@ Denis – You are sooo right. There are tons of clubs that just need that one or two pieces to be as dominant as Barca. He could join Juve, Inter, Fiorentina, Bayern, Liverpool, anyone and help put them over the top.
I am not one of those Croatians whith blinders on, idont feel this way about all of our players, but its obvious when he plays, he stands out from the crowd. If Rakitic played with that work ethic and drive, well, then Magath wouldnt be yelling at him for not chasing down every ball.
Vlad either you're not Croatian or you are a big Dinamo fan. Eduardo and Srna are the biggest difference makers on the Croatian national team. He's an amazing player for both the national team and his club. Players with Srna's characteristics are uncommon. He plays with his heart every day 100%. His right foot is very dangerous on crosses and dead balls. Srna also plays both solid offense and defense. He's got another solid 4-5 years left playing top soccer. In my opinion AC Milan is a top European club. You don't think Srna can make as much of an impact as Zambrotta or David Beckham? Those were their starting right sided players last year. He can make an impact there as well as several other top clubs. I'm confident he will leave Shahktar soon. If he does transfer to another team we'll see how he does. I think its unfair to write him off before he even leaves.
i like srna as i stated before, where do you srna lovers think he should go, barca, and sit on the bench manu and sit on the bench, arsenal and sit on the bench, he's not good enough to play on the best clubs in the world, if he was he would have been bought a long time ago, theres no diffrence playing for shakhtar and playing for everton, or fiorentina, or whatever team hes a good player but not a world class player. Good players get bought no matter what clause.
Its time for Srna to move on. Winning the Uefa Cup with Shahktar was a huge accomplishment. The reality is he belongs in one of the top 4 leagues. He will only leave when he demands a transfer. You can't force anyone to play and that's why you see big players leaving clubs all the time. Zlatan, Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso etc. Players always want new challenges in life. Some clubs don't want to sell their players but you can't force a player to play. Once Srna says he wants to go they will accept an offer of 15 million euro. I am confident this will happen soon so I can begin to watch him play on tv on the weekends. As of right now they don't show the Ukrainian League on fox sports or gol tv. Personally, I would like to see him go to one of the following teams
1)Any top 5 team in England
2)Barcelona or Real Madrid
3)AC Milan, Juventus, or Inter
4)Bayern Munich
Belarus 0- Croatia 3(Eduardo 12th, 28th, Srna 49th)
That is all
No one will remember his name in 10 years regardless where he plays.
Don't compare him to Donovan. Ukraine league is not as bad as some of you think it is. it no where near the top 4 in Europe, but not as bad as MLS.
As for the arguement that he has already made $$$$ for three lifetimes…whose lifetime" your or his?
Maybe the dude wants to invest big time into croatia when he is done playing and is building much capital as possible now. For those that say what is the deifferance between making 5 million per year or 3.5 million (which is what would be his contract if he did go somewhere else), well over a 5-year span that is 7.5 million. That is a lot of money and at the end of his career that is the differance between buying a few extra villa throughout croatia for himself or members of his family.
Listen, I would love to see him play at a big club like bayern, Milan, etc…..but, to call him scared for not already doing so in dumb on your part. I sure dont know too many people that would leave one job for another and take a pay cut in the process.
Or maybe Srna worries that a move to a bigger club will not work out in the end. You guys will see that this year with Olic at Bayern and the lack of playing time he will receive. Olic went after the money 9rightfully so), but his playing time will decrease because he went to a bigger club.
@Petar
"How much freaken money has the guy made int he Ukraine?"
enough to last three lifetimes
"some of you would probably sell your souls for a few extra bucks."
not you and I….haha..
"Srna will probably move, when he is past his best and he cant challenge for a first team spot and a major club"
I seriously hope this doesnt happen. What a waste of talent. Srna should be playing champions league ball and on a top club in a top 4 league.
NBA players are offered twice as much money to play in Europe and they decline year after year. Why? The NBA is the strongest league in the world. The best competition, the most recognition.
I remember Olimpiakos offering Lebron James or Kobe Bryant I forget which one.. 50 million Euros per season… Kobe said it was tempting.. 50 million or 30 million…. whats the difference?..
Also, what is this talk "only if Barcelona or Bayern come calling then I will leave Shakhtar"..
Is he serious? What Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Arsenal, ManU, Chelsea, Hertha, HSV, VillaReal, etc etc.. are a downgrade from Shakhtar?
Unbelieveable how some of these players feel they can call the shots..
Stay in Ukraine, make your money, play in Europa Liga every year… and in 10 years… no one will remember your name…
I and also my friends have been examining the great suggestions from your web site and immediately came up with a horrible feeling I had not expressed respect to the web site owner for those strategies. Those men are already as a consequence passionate to learn them and now have very much been taking pleasure in them. We appreciate you turning out to be very accommodating as well as for considering this form of brilliant subject matter millions of individuals are really desperate to discover. My honest apologies for not expressing appreciation to you sooner.
Milan, Athelico or Bayern should try bidding then. Where is the bid? I'm certain Srna would leave should someone bid. I think Shaktar and Srna were banking on a deep run in CL, but that's not happened so if a bid comes Srna might as well go. Nobody here is saying Srna is flatly rejecting all offers. He's just playing his football and playing with the club to who he is contracted. I don't see whats wrong with that. Someone should give him an offer. Same with Niko Kranjcar. Look at the shitty club he is at right now. I would have thought his, Leko, Pokrivac and Klasnic's situation is more serious and damaging to Croatia than Dario Srna's. The only thing Srna can do is say to his president that he wants to leave if a bid comes in. But i don't think he should put in a transfer request or strike or anything like that as he could end up in limbo.
Thank You Denis!!!!!!!!
I felt like I was the only one who saw the light.
How much freaken money has the guy made int he Ukraine? And that is the defense by some of you people? Jesus Christ, some of you would probably sell your souls for a few extra bucks.
Srna will probably move, when he is past his best and he cant challenge for a first team spot and a major club.
I pray to God that he leaves now, because he would be lethal on Milan, Athletico or Bayern.
@Ziva Istina
For the first time in a long time I will have to disagree with you.
"For you guys that are knocking Srna for staying…..you do realize he will not make more money at another club? Follow the money… Why should he leave and take a pay cut. It's not about the challenge, he already proved that by leading his team to the UEFA Cup."
I am not knocking on Srna. If he likes the money and fame in Ukraine then so be it. However, if he wants to play with the big boys, he will join a big boy league, play in champions league every year and might receive some global recognition.
Who cares if he on the Uefa Cup. Champions league and top 4 league is where a player is recognized. If Srna stays at shakhtar a few more years, he will be the Landon Donovan of Croatia.
Landon is very happy in LA, well payed, Hollywood around the corner, and the smell of Manhattan Beach in his backyard.
Would he trade all of this for a couple of seasons at Bayern Munich and in Champions league?…
I love Srna. Time has come for him to jump to the next level or in 10 years, he will be forgotten.
kerum is the mayor of Split and owns the largest chain of grocery stores in Croatia.
he will become Hajduk's Mamic.
There is two players of similar name. One a former Croat Under 21 international called Mladen Bartulovic that transfered to Ukrainian side Dnipro two years ago for £1m and the other the 32 year old Bosnian who you just mentioned that was released by Hajduk and now has just transferred to Foolad in Iran. I think i'm confusing you. Forget i mentioned it lol.
I just wikipedia'ed who Kerum is. I don't think i want to know anymore… that's not really the sort of person that makes me interested in Croatian football. Anyway Mladen Bartulovic has gone on loan to Krivbass in Ukraine has forget i mentioned him.
@ DinamoFan – After the game last night, Kerum (who is apparently the largest shareholder of Hajduk and who they say just seized control of the club) as well as the players had to spend the night in Poljud because the Police felt it was better for their safety from The Torcida. Kerum owns a number of shops throughout Croatia. I cant remember if he won the election to become Mayor of Split, or if he was still running.
But, he is the biggest Criminal associated with the club.
As for the signing, I havent heard about the kid joining Hajduk. Didnt they just release him not to long ago? only a few weeks ago I thought he was released.
Who on earth is Kerum and how did mention of Bartulovic get linked to criminals? I think i'm out of touch with this situation.
Which signing – the Bosnian international Bartolovic going to Iran or the Dnipro Bartulovic going to Hajduk. Second one was a suggestion – the Bosnian however is a real transfer that has happened.
If he doesn't mind sleeping in Poljud with Kerum and all the other players out of fear that the Torcida will hang him, sure, come on down. I havent heard about his signing though, was on Slobodna Dalmacija earlier and didnt see anything.
I support the Torcia 100% Get all those Criminals out of the club!
Start with Kerum!
The reason i think Benitez may be thinking about it is cos his squad is getting threadbare. Yes he has Benayoun who is decent, Riera who nobody is sure if he likes or not and is currently injured and the inconsistent Ryan Babel. However Reds fans don't like Ngog and they don't rate Voronin. Even if Voronin does play alright in preseason the guy is 30 years old. You'd imagine really Benitez is hunting for a striker as well as another central midfielder. He is also trying to offload his left hand siders like Dossenna when he can get a replacement in. Suggestions are he is looking for someone he can nurture and who is cheap and both Sharbini and Mandzo fit into the bracket. I don't think Mandzo or Sharbini would be guarenteed starters, but they will get chances and i think both of them have the talent to impress. I think Liverpool can't afford anything expensive so i'm taking it 50% seriously.
If anyone is interested Mladen Bartolovic has joined Foolad of Iran who are coached by Luka Bonacic.
How about Hajduk signing Dnipro's 22 year old midfielder Mladen Bartulovic to replace Gabric.
@ DinamoFan – If the move for Sharbini and Madzukic does happen. I will chip in the gas money if needed.
I would love to believe that rumor, it just sounds far to good to be true. We can all hope though.
I agree with you though, I don't rate the Liverpool back up strikers at all. Rafa has spent allot of money to reinforce his youth ranks, there doesn't appear to be that much quality down there.
I still cant believe that nobody will invest 3 million Euros to get Sharbini. With the transfer fees being thrown around, this looks like the steal of the century.
For you guys that are knocking Srna for staying…..you do realize he will not make more money at another club? Follow the money… Why should he leave and take a pay cut. It's not about the challenge, he already proved that by leading his team to the UEFA Cup.
Having said that if these reports about Rafa Benitez wanting to sign Anas Sharbini and Mario Mandzukic in the next two weeks turn out to be true – i'd personally be willing to drive Sharbini and Mandzo to Liverpool myself. If such a bid comes in we cannot stand in Mandzo's way no matter what the price is. Even if its only £5m we'd have to let Mandzo go. Liverpool are actually short in Mandzo and Sharbini's position. They only have Voronin and Ngog and lets face it i think even Vrucina is better than them two. It sounds like Croatian paper talk, but it would be great to see them go there as Liverpool play so many games that they'd get matches – plus Liverpool is such a great club that can't really reject them.
Your entitled to your view on Srna so i won't knock it down. But you need to remember transfer window is not over. Milan have money. All those examples you give Olic, Kalinic, Pranjic none of these clubs have a owner like Shaktar who can reject big money for a player. That's the difference. This means this owner can make it harder for Srna to leave. He's Srna's very own sugardaddy. Also look right all these teams over spent – even Ibrahimovic is saying whats with all these stupid transfer fees for players. Team like Barca, Bayern, Real over cooked it when they tried to sign big names and left no money over to make any more signings. Milan still have money. It can still happen. Now Srna is out of Champions League in a way which really is down to team laziness as they didn't lose either leg. That team were no real threat to them – they should have dealt with them.
Yes – actually your wrong there. Mamic if you remember said to journalists do not put Jurcic under pressure and that he hoped he would be coach longer than he would be at Dinamo. This means Jurcic was allowed to fail in Champions League this season as we only gave him Papa and Glavina – we didn't invest hugely in preseason, but he is expected to make headway in Europa Liga. Cmon Peter – If Dinamo sells Mandza and have just Slepicka and Papa up front we're gonna be in trouble. The problem with Slepicka is that he is extremely slow. He looks good in HNL, but not outside Croatia. If we sell Mandzo we would be giving up on the whole season. If a team like Liverpool wanted him we'd not be able to stop him going, but its not in our interest to let him go to Bremen, HSV or teams like that at the moment.
If we do sell him we should go on a mad shopping spree before transfer window closes. This involves Leko, Pokrivac, Simic (all who were announced to be available for transfer this week), Anas Sharbini and either swap Slepicka for Keric or follow through with our idea to buy Vennegor of Hesselink for the season cos we're not gonna get anyone else decent at this stage of transfer window. But basically Mandzo can't go till winter cos we've made our minds up unless we get a extraordinary bid. It also makes financial sense cos if Mandzo starts scoring for Croatia and continues scoring each game in HNL and Europa Liga his prize tag will rocket. It could even be realistic to claim £10m for him by the end of the season.
As i said what we really need is to make some master stroke deals before the window closes to sign up a defender, and to see what we can do in exchange for Sammir, Vrdoljak and Slepicka – also offload Tomic on loan or sell. Maybe that'll make room for us to spend on Sharbini before the window closes.
Thank you for that Peter. I've actually never seen that video before. Powerful stuff.
I'll post it in the near future.
I was at a BBQ tonight, I was surprised at how many Croats didn't see this Documentary. For those of you who haven't seen it, enjoy!!
The Last Yugoslavian Team
http://video.google.ca/videosearch?q=noam+chomsky+west+point&emb=0&aq=f#q=the+last+yugoslavian+team&emb=0
@ DinamoFan – I know you disagree with selling Mandzukic. However, I look at it like this.
Will Mamic sell Mandzukic next summer? Honestly, it looks like he will. Why not then already start beuilding to next years Champions League Qualification. Start building that team now, let them have a full league campaign together to develop chemistry. The way they are going about it reminds me of Einsteins definition of Insanity. They are doing the same thing over and over and still expecting different results. I personally dont think Pap or Slepicka are what put you over the top, however, it sure would help if they have enough time to develop some chemistry with the other players. They buy these guys a month before they start their European adventure and think its enough time to make the charge. The Modric, Corluka and Eduardo team was so good because they were obviously great players, but, also because they all knew each other so well.
As for Hajduk, same thing as Dinamo. didnt make the right signings and expected miracles. I was the only one defending Kalinic for the National Team. Most pointed out his low scoring rate last year as to why he shouldn't be there. Without him, you see how the play of Gabric, Andric and Ibricic suffers. He did ALL the dirty work for them, held up the play in their 4-5-1 system so well so they could make their little darts into the box. Paraiba, Rodic, Vukusic are not built for the 4-5-1.
I hope Kalinic isn't in the Hospital for to long. The season isnt even 3 weeks old and we already have all this drama in Croatia.
Amateurs? Hahaha, Are you a Dinamo Fan? Was the goal to reach Europa League? Nooooooooooooooooooooo, it was the Champions League!!! Symbolically, at this point, yeah, they are out of Europe. Do you think Mamic built this team to get into the Europa League? If you cant even beat Red Bull, what the hell will you do in the 4th round of Europa qualifying, or in the Europa League. Lets face it, they caught a break by drawing Red Bull and blew it. Sell Mandzukic, build a new squad and let them have a full year playing together to come together before you give the Champions League another crack. It makes no sense to do what they have been doing. Upgrading next summer, then having only 2-4 weeks to prepare before you have competitive fixtures.
As for Srna – My point still stands. He doesnt want his move bad enough. Olic, Kalinic all held out and either went on a free transfer, or made their club risk losing them on a free transfer so they had to sell. Pranjic voiced his displeasure every week in Holland that he was pricing himself out of a transfer. Srna never complains about the Shaktar, so, he must really love playing for minnows. If he truely wanted to challenge himself, then if they dont transfer you, STOP SIGNING THE LONG TERM EXTENSIONS!!
I love Srnas play on the field, but he lacks the passion to take his game to the next level. If he wants to be the man in the Ukraine, make allot of money, fine, just say it. That being said, you cant then claim that the obstacle is not being offered enough of a transfer kitty, there are a number of ways around that.
As for our Club Teams in Europe. Perhaps we all expect a bit to much. The success of the National Team is one thing, we may be disappointed for many more years if we expect the club teams to emulate that kind of success. If they cant even come close to beating some of the smallest teams in Europe. Then how far are they from really qualifying?
Just enjoy watching the National Team play. Hopefully this bout of disappointment will bring about some change internally within the HNL.
Amateurs?
Right now I'd say anyone playing football in Croatia is an amateur.
Correction…
Dinamo is NOT out of European competition. We find out tomorrow who they face in the fourth qualifying round of Europa League.
You amateurs.
srna is a good player, a good right back but to much hype, for years every summer the news is saying srna is gonna go somewhere, if hes so good he would of been bought buy know, no real interest came from the so called big clubs, so he stays, as would I, no reason to go play for a average team in a top league and earn less money, he's captain, paid top wages and wins trophies, nothing to complain about, he came froma poor family, very poor, and know makes money and is one of the biggest stars in ukraine good for him.
Hey guys,
I'm going to agree with you that Srna made a dumb move, but it was his dumb move to make. He might actually be happy with it..who knows.
On a lighter note, can we set up a petition, letter or something to knock some sense into Arsenal to pick up Kranjcar. They have guys dropping like flies to injury at Arsenal, and everybody has seen the mess that is Portsmouth this year. There were rumours in the beginning of the year, what happened?
People are forgetting- a player will leave if he wants to, whatever the contract/ asking price is. NO team will want an unhappy player in the dressing room. Srna has had offers for years, yet he doesn't want to leave Shahktar-it's simple. The reason for the over-valuation year after year is that he has no great desire to leave and would only do so with "an offer he can't refuse", so to speak. Ahkmetov isn't holding Srna back- that's ridiculous. The fact is, 15 million for a 28 year old RB is very, very high, too high, esp. In this economy. The fact that no club wanted to pay that is proof of the market overvaluation. In fact, from this point on, Srna's market value will start decreasing with his age, so Ahkmetov would logically want to offload him sooner rather than later. No, Srna likes being the big fish in a small pond. His life is set; he's captain; he gets to eat meals with the richest man in the Ukraine; he's gotten comfortable, way to comfortable imo , but who am I to judge..
Although having said that the best of HNL last season were not playing this week ie Mandzo, Vrucina, Sharbinis and Kalinic. I think tonight you have to question the depth of the squads and show how dependent those teams are on one or two individuals. Its a shame for Rijeka and Belupo fans they could have a real shot at their opponents with the star players fit.
Hajduk have to turn to a new striker. This lot don't even look better than Bartolovic or Busic.
If Rijeka do sell Sharbini's i'd like to see them pick up Poljak, Ljubojevic, Vukovic to revive their careers. Despite that Rijeka look hideous with Sharbinis i can't stand seeing Croats without clubs. Looks really bad. Lovrek should also go back to Zagreb.
These losses really show that all the Croatian talent has been exported out of the country to other clubs around the world. If only the Croatian clubs could land some more sponsors or better scouts to find and keep good players…RIGHT? ZIVA ISTINA!?
Not that sad really – surely Hajduk fans didn't really believe they'd do anything with that strikeforce. Rijeka couldn't have any expectations without Sharbini's and Belupo no hope without Vrucina.
I think you was right Istina, Andrej Keric prob wouldn't ever consider HNL1 cos at least his team can reach the second round of the Europa Liga. I'd quite like him at Dinamo. He prob wouldn't be in our starting line up, but at least if we swapped him for Slepicka it'd get rid of Slepicka. I've been commenting way too much recently. i feel dizzy…
things wont change until the national team does not qualify for the WC. then you will see calls for change, until then, forget it
RE: Another European tragedy for Hajduk.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
I have no insight, commentary or analysis… just pure frustration.
Do I think Kalinic would have made a difference? Yes, but that's just wishful thinking.
This team just seems to be in a state of constant turmoil.
Another sad week for Croatian soccer. Dinamo, Hajduk, Rijeka, and Slaven all eliminated from European competition. I know Dinamo still has a chance for Europa league but this is ridiculous. Then, I have to see Romanian Timisoara go through against Uefa Cup champions Shahktar. I'm very disappointed that we can't compete with teams from Romania, Hungary, etc advancing further in Europe. Some things must change.
No surprise with
Rijeka – Sharbiniless.
Belupo – no threat without Vrucina
Hajduk – no forwards whether unfit or otherwise.
I think to be honest, this is the wrong time for these sides. They are on the verge of making player sales from how it sounds. Rijeka made a good account of themselves in the first leg, but they had so many injuries this second leg that task was impossible.
I'd question whether Sharbini's will be at Rijeka by the time the transfer window closes. Hajduk are clearly gonna make some deals in the next 2 weeks. I bet Gabric is glad he's going. Hajduk and Rijeka will have to take a month to reshape their team before being considered seriously. At least we're still in Europe 🙂 only good news of the night was Andrej Keric notched another goal.
3 losses, 0 goals
How did Hajduk lose?
Offers were there – yes they were and they were rubbish bids made at £7m – £9m which is not good enough. Regards his wages i think Srna would have gone and still may go if someone meets Shaktars wages. Shaktar is not a tiny club. Teams like Heerenveen do not have a wealthy owner like Shaktar. If someone offers him £7m he will laugh in there face. It seems to like a culture of elitism. People just don't a team like Shaktar to have a team or wealth as big as the Milans, Bayerns, Barca, Man Utd of this world. Good on Shaktar i say for telling these clubs where to go that expect to take there players for cheap. We are doing the same over Mandzo. Through all that Eduardo, Corluka money we got we can actually not be pushed around by clubs anymore that force us to part with our players.
I think if someone pays £12m to £15m for Srna he'll transfer and then Shaktar get in return whats due to them for the time they invested in the guy. Regards Bosingwa. 12m Euro is still only about £10m or £11m in English money. That's about the same Chelsea paid for Bosingwa. Its still quite cheap. Shows Bayern can't go to Srna's valuation of £15m. Lets not forget we are talking here about Croatia's second all time leading scorer. He's done things in the game. He's no unproven talent like Kalinic or a gamble. He's a proper player.
Pranjic paid his way out of his contract so he can go to bayern and make more $$$…so the comparison to Srna does not work.
Bayern could not pay Srna the same wages he makes in the Ukraine…So, why take a pay cut…
Hey, I have no problem what so ever with teams trying to ensure they get fair market value for their players. However, I do have a problem when they distort the market by trying to over value players.
Srna himself confessed that the offeres were there and as he claims, was just choosing the right club. After reading that, you have to wonder what the hold up is. As for Bayern going cheap. They went as high as 12 million euros for Bonsingwa. It wasn't that Bayern was cheap at all. Chelsea were only going to sell him to Bayern if they knew they were going to get Maicon from Inter. As soon as Morinho convinced Maicon to stay, Chelsea knew they couldn't sell Bonsingwa to Bayern. This all happened a few days after Brasil beat the U.S. to claim that watered down cup.
I also am not sayin clubs won't pay money for Ukrainian based players cos i'd look pretty dumb saying that when even Rennes paid out loads for Dinamo Kiev African forward whose names has gone from my mind just now. I was saying clubs DIDNT pay money for Srna and that's why he never went.
Point i was making is that Srna is loved by Shaktar – Elano hated Shaktar and remember him saying as much on Futbol Mundial which is a respected Global Football programme. I remember Brandao being benched loads of times particularly when we played them. They play one up front. They use to rotate him with Gladkiy.
Well then if you don't want to pay £15m then you know why Srna is not leaving. If they really want him they should show there money. I don't understand right people criticise teams like us and Shaktar when we hold onto a guy like Mandzo and Srna and also criticise us when we won't let them go. We can't win.
Look if teams still want Srna they can still buy him. Regards Bayern they didn't just skimp on signing Srna, but also Bosingwa and Corluka. They think they can buy quality for £7m or something. They are total cheapo's. They spent all there money on Gomez – that's there problem. Milan basically is the only other serious club that could afford him and we know they are one of the club that aren't finished yet in the transfer market. Spurs already have a right back. Liverpool didn't go for him in the end. Which club particularly was Srna supposed to move to.
thanks for warning me in advance. I was just about to watch that game. Rijeka are a hidious side without Sharbini's. They need to buy some players. We've got some at Dinamo lol. If Ahmed is not playing maybe that means he's going to Hajduk??? Anas is injured as far as i'm aware.
Belupo also got to have Vrucina up front otherwise can count them out of competition.
Its all down to Hajduk to give Croatia its first win of the week.
@ DinamoFan – I still dont know what you were trying to prove. The point with the players I mentioned is that they all went for big money. can anyone deny that? Therefore, you cant use some excuse to protect Dario like Big Clubs wont spend big to buy players from the Ukraine. Also, if I was an elite club, 15 million Euros is the most I would pay for Dario, not a penny more. He plays right back for them, How much do right or left backs go for? The only one I seen go over 10 in recent memory is Glenn Johnson which is complicated by the fact that he is English which inflates his transfer.
Also, dont know where you get your information, Brandao wasnt a sub in Shaktar. In 2 and a half years he notched 71 appaearances in the League for Shaktar, how the hell is that a sub? 29 appearances on the Continent.
Also, the point with Pranjis is he did what he had to to move. I used him paying with his own money as an example. If Dario wanted it just as badly he could have found a way.
Again, you guys will say anything to protect a Croatian. If this was a guy like Biscan that most Croatians hate, trust me, everyone wouldnt be so quick to defend him.
Why aren't the Sharbini's playing?
Elano wasn't happy at City and they desperately needed him, Brandao was sub and wanted out – this is not same situation. Who you gonna mention next Neri Castillo. How much do you personally think Srna should be sold for. If you say anything less than £15m your having a laugh. No way should a player with around 20 international goals and who has lifted the UEFA Cup be sold for less. That's prob what Shaktar told the interested clubs and they decided they couldn't afford it. If Srna said he wanted to go – Shaktar would be out there heads to let such a prize asset go cheaply. You can't compare them with Heerenveen who are a tiny club and let their guy go for barely anything. Pranjic paid for 600K or something – Srna would have to pay Shaktar £5m for their loss if they dropped his valuation so heavily. From what i've seen of Srna at Hajduk and Shaktar he plays 100% for his club. It seems he's not that willing to kick up a stink to get a transfer especially as Istina pointed out when he already gets paid better at Shaktar. He doesn't seem like that kind of character. From the highlights it looks like the rest of team was asleep yesterday and that Shaktar wasn't on top of there game. Still they'll be serious contenders to retain the Europa Liga. You say he's not interested in trophies, but i believe he has a trophy. The guy even lifted it. i believe the only team that wanted him was Bayern Munich but they backed out just like they did with Corluka cos they have no money. Barca wanted him as a squad player and Milan can still buy him if they want.
Slaven Belupo is down 1 – 0. Vrucina isn't with the teasm, he is hurt. A terrible defensive mistake allows the visitors to score with their first opportunity. Slaven had 3 quality chances before the mistake.
I dont put any blame on Srna. There are only a few teams that can pay Srna what he is making right now at Shaktar. He would be suts to leave for less money. None of the elite teams made a bid that satisfied Shaktar, so they have kept him thus far.
It's all about the money…..no reason for him to leave for less money. These guys have a short window to get the most money they can and Srna is doing that while playing in a place hwere he is treated like a god.
I dont buy any of the defense that is being used to protect Dario. Yes, he has a contract. We can all see how much contracts are valued in the modern game, cant we. Also, dont throw me B.S. that there wasnt a high enough offer. How much did Brandao move for from Shaktar to Marseille? or Elano to Man city? Lets go back 10 years and see what Rebrov went for. Teams have shown they are willing to pay through the nose to get players from the Ukraine. Lets not talk like it doesn't happen.
I realize there is this need for us Croatians to protect our players from criticism, especially when they are as idolized as Dario. Lets just call this what this was, he is driven by money and not by trophies or challenging his game. If he wanted a move, he could have engineered it. Pranjic paid 700K Euros out of his own pocket because he wanted it badly enough. I dont believe the offers were low, I believe he wouldn't receive the salary he had at Shaktar. That was the belief on this very site a few weeks ago. Dario even admitted that the offers were there and he was just picking the club.
My "OPINION" remains the same, he is a far cry from the professionals that represented us in the mid 90's. I lost allot of respect for him this summer.
Basically those clubs were happy to over pay for Ibrahimovic, Alonso but were not interested in investing in Srna. Thats how it was. At the moment the transfer market is not closed. Maybe Srna move can still happen, but its only really likely to be to Italy. We all know a lot of the big deals have been done. Real and Barca have absolutely no money left, Bayern spent much of theres on Gomez, the clubs that still have money are in Italy – Roma, Milan and Inter. Plus Manchester United have some, but don't want to spend.
In the end though the money will prob go back to Real Madrid as clubs try to buy Van Der Vaart, Snieder, Robben, Diarra etc.
If i may go off topic again lol. There is mounting rumours that Niko Kranjcar will be the next player to leave. Portsmouth seem to have some extraordinary debts and they are still saying after selling Crouch, Defoe, Muntari, Diarra, Davis, Mendes, Johnson they that need to sell more. Well i think Niko is the only asset they have left. Perhaps Distin as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see Kranjcar leave in the next two weeks. I think we have one of the relegation slots sorted for the season. look no further than Portsmouth.
Yes maybe Srna didn't receive a high enough bid for Shakhtar to let him go but he is regarded as royalty there. If he really wanted to leave and test himself in an elite European league they could have worked it out.
I'm mad because because it seems to me that Srna got homesick before he even left. Obviously we don't have all the facts and I don't talk to Darijo personally but this is what I conclude from the situation.
I agree that Shakthar start slow and end strong. it seems no clubs made him a good offer so he stayed. He's treated well there too.
As you well know Radman, Srna has a contract with Shaktar. If Bayern and Barca don't bid then he can't go. As far as it seems those clubs wanted the guy to come cheaply. Well in that case he has no choice but to stay as Shaktar aren't gonna give him away for under £10m.
I lost so much respect for Dario Srna. You wanted the money, well, this what comes along with it, mediocrity.
Shaktar always start the season really slow for some reason. I think they could do with working out a decent preseason regime.
If i may change to subject again Marko Babic has bizarrely decided to give Spain another go and has signed for Real Zaragoza. Last chance for him i think. Good player in my opinion who make the wrong moves in his career. Hope this is not the latest club to leave Babic in their reserve team. Good luck to him.