IS ŠIMUNIĆ ALL ALONE IN BERLIN?
Yahoo.com is reporting that Croatian tough man, Josip Šimunić, is unhappy with current Hertha Berlin coach Lucien Favre over a disagreement and ultimately wants to leave the German capital.
Sounds like Šimunić is basically out the door in Berlin. So where to next?
German papers have Šimunić linked to Fulham, Portsmouth, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Hoffenheim.
I can see him staying in Germany and playing for Hamburg, Schalke or even Bayern Munich; but would like to see Joe take a leap in his career and move to England. He still has mileage on his body and could remain a beast at defense for any English side.
Thanks to JP and Tom in Winnipeg for the news!
in my opinion Antolic should have one more year out on loan. He's never gonna get in ahead of Badelj, Slepicka, Sammir and Morales this season. At least a six month loan deal at another Croatian club would benefit him. I think what we've learn though about Kramaric from pre-season is that he is a better striker than Sivonjic and Tadic and should be on our roster. I think we need him playing in Under 21's to continue his progress though as he won't play every game for Dinamo.
Domagoj Antolic will be better. All the Dinamo youth scouts say hes the best thing since Modric.
Watch out for Andrej Kramaric next season. This guy's a genius. I think he'll be talk of Croatia at the end of the season. i'm glad he's on the roster this season and expect him to make a bigger impact that Sivonjic will.
Mandza doesn't want to go to EPL or to sit on bench. He is even happy to start at Dinamo than to do that. He does not seem happy that Mamic slapped an over the top transfer fee on him and stopped his move to Werder Bremen. As a Dinamo fan and fan of Mandza i think that was disrespectful to a player thats given his all for us and even signed a long term contract (unlike Kalinic) to ensure we get a good fee and his full commitment. Bremen offered £7m which is good money. He should be already in a Bremen shirt. Now i hear Bremen are even prepared to sell Almeida to raise the funds, but this is all very distasteful and unneccessary. Mandza's agent is also worried the player will be playing for us in Champions league making him ineligible for any new buyer so really we've been a bit unfair. If Mandza stays in addition to us signing Padapoulous we'd have a massive chance of Champions League qualification. I think that signing of Padapoulous is key. We had to buy a guy like that with proven goalscoring record and of international class as we've seen Sivonjic, Tadic cannot take us to that level and there is nothing in Croatia good enough.
Also good to see Balaban transfer to Pananios. I'll actual follow him with interest as i think we prob let him go too soon or at least did it in the wrong way.
Germany is the best option for him, Spain would be nice. I could see him on Sevilla. Croatia needs some young CB's desperately, DESPERATELY!! Osijek tried converting Domagoj Vida to CB, but that was a disaster, hes a natural Defensive Midfielder. We better start looking to Australia again, perhaps dig up another gem with strong ties to the motherland.
Thanks Petar. Well I'm sweating over Simunic's transfer situation as he is our most important centreback and we all know that is quite a weak position.
there was an article on 24 sata reporting that chelsea offered shaktar 25 million euros for Srna.
also tottenham have interest in Mandzukic
there was an article on 24 sata reporting that chelsea offered shaktar 25 million euros for Srna.
also tottenham have interest in Mandzukic
I would definitely welcome that move, the club is ambitious. I would like to see him link up with other Croats though. Joining Pranjic, Olic and hopefully Srna on Bayern would be amazing.
Bild claims that Hoffenheim is close to signing Simunic and have tabled a bid of 5 million euros, which is below the exit clause sum (7 million) but higher than what Hamburg offered.
Would you guys welcome such a move?
@ Alex – There is a reason why Hangeland can handle the pace of the EPL. Fulham packs their half with their own players. They try and grind out draws, hit the opposition on the counter or just use set pieces to their advantage. There are only 5-7 teams in the EPL that can actually play. Unfortunately none of those are rumored to be interested.
Wasn't he voted the MVP of the Bundesleiga? How could this Lucien Favre clown have a problem with that? Seems political. He didn't get along with the Serb on the team too. You'd think the top brass at Berlin would realise that Favre is the problem, not Simunic.
Simunic is a good fit for the epl- If Hangelund(sp.) is fast enough to be a top defender, Joe most certainly is as well. He's no doubt got the required strength and attitude and his growing up in Aus means he'll have no problems with the culture (unlike Croatia-raised players, I've yet to see a Aus player not adapt to the epl). Personally, I'd like to see him at Pompey if Kranjcar stays…
I am glad the Pranjic deal went through. Let's hope he was worth all the frustration for Bayern Munich.
Simunic would adapt well to the EPL. It's a shame how his career in Berlin is coming to an end. He's a cult figure over there considering how long he has been with club.
Yes i was hoping Pranjic would go to Bayern. Is fantastic news. I don't think Srna and Simunic should follow them as they'll be a overbearing Croatian contingent at Bayern and if things go wrong the fans will start saying why we signing all these Croatians like Real and Barca did when they had a load of Dutchmen in the team. It'll just add more pressure. I think Srna should stay where he is at in my opinion a very big club Shaktar who have a fantastic team and will play in Champions League again next season. Having said that if he went to Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool or Milan would all be decent moves.
As for Simunic i'd quite like if he went to Hamburg to keep Petric company as Petric seems unsettled with Olic leaving. He needs a Croatian signing. Rakitic, Kranjcar, Simunic, Klasnic and Mandza have all been linked with them so hopefully one will go there.
He's a great defender and people who question his age should just watch him break down the offence. I'm sure he'll find a good club whose coach can also keep his cool. This will be a big mistake for Hertha. They had a good run this past season. I doubt they'll be any better next season.
Pranjic deal complete
http://www.fcbayern.t-com.de/en/news/news/2009/19849.php?fcb_sid=312be598890ee757e5cce6eaf7a66987
Simunic is such a hot head. No need to fall out with his Hertha coach at all. He should learn from Rakitic and Ljuboja that clubs can punish you if they really want. Its just same old hot head stuff from Simunic. The guy will never change. We have 3 players like this in the squad – inc Klasnic and Rakitic. Would be nice if they were more level headed in their decision making.
I reckon Portsmouth or Hamburg would be decent moves for Simunic, but he should keep Hertha on his side in case those moves don't happen. I mean you don't see Srna telling Shaktar to get lost or Pranjic at Heerenveen. Both of those players will just keep playing till they get transfers. I think Simunic can play in EPL. In defensive areas its not so much about pace, but dealing with crossing. Its generally in the midfield and wide positions where all the pace is going on. Hopefully Hertha will release him for a sensible fee.
Ivo Ilicevic is the latest Croatian to move. He's moved to Kaiserslautern which i think is a good decision as there are other Croats there like Lakic and Damjanovic. Hopefully this will be the season Ilicevic impresses enough to get back in Bundesliga 1. I don't personally see why he won't come to us though. We're better than Bochum, Kaiserslautern and his last club Greunthr Furth.
he is to slow for the EPL, joining Bayern or a team in laLiga would be a better option for him.
A member of the Croatian Under 19 Team is apparently very close to joining Schalke. Danijel Prskalo plays for Sturm Graz, the young forward is about to sign with the German Heavy Weights.
he shoulda been in the premier league years ago..hes a top defender