The criteria a player must meet to make our list is as follows:
- The player must be between the ages of 16-25
- The player cannot be a cemented starter in the senior National Team
- The player must be eligible to play for Croatia
Honorable mentions:
- Lovro Lazar (15)
- Dominik Babić (14)
- Marko Dabro (24)
- Ivan Laća (18)
- Petar Musa (23)
- Igor Matanović* (17)
*= Hasn’t declared for Croatia yet
Ivan Šarić, 20, ST/CF, NK Radomlje (loaned from Hajduk Split) ($550k)
Strengths: finishing, movement
Weaknesses: passing
Next step: Šarić was dominant in the second half of the 2020/2021 season for Hajduk II, recording 11 goals and 1 assist in 13 matches. He needs to continue impressing in Slovenia, and I could see him getting loaned to a 1. HNL team next year. He’s got the potential for sure.
Stats:
- Hajduk Split II: 29 appearances, 13 goals, 2 assists
- Hajduk Split: 1 appearance, 1 goal
- NK Radomlje: 2 appearances, 1 assist
- Croatia U17: 13 appearances, 4 goals
- Croatia U19: 3 appearances, 1 goal
Potential: 7/10 – Top 5 league player
Dario Vizinger, 23, ST/CF, Wolfsberger AC ($1.43m)
Strengths: balance, quickness, long shot
Weaknesses: finishing, consistency
Next step: Vizinger is doing well in Austria, but seems to have trouble with consistently finding the back of the net. If he can up his game in that compartment, Vizinger can be a useful striker/center forward for the NT.
Stats:
- Rijeka U19: 3 appearances, 3 goals
- Rijeka: 2 appearances
- Hrvatski Dragovoljac: 12 appearances, 2 goals
- Rudar Velenje: 12 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist
- NK Celje: 87 appearances, 37 goals, 16 assists
- Wolfsberger AC: 47 appearances, 8 goals, 6 assist
- Croatia U21: 6 appearances, 2 goals
Potential: 7/10 – Top 5 league player
Dion Drena Beljo, 19, ST, Istra 1961 (loaned from Osijek) ($715k)
Strengths: height, dribbling, finishing
Weaknesses: speed
Next step: Beljo’s style of play would be best compared to that of Zlatan Ibrahimović. He is a 6 foot 5 monster that knows how to find the back of the net, but is also an amazing dribbler for his size. He is not the quickest, but he makes up with his strength and dribbling skills. I am very surprised he hasn’t gotten more of a chance at Istra, as he’s been found on the bench there most games. He needs to make himself a starter and then continue developing from there.
Stats:
- Osijek II: 36 appearances, 10 goals, 3 assists
- Osijek: 16 appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist
- Istra: 3 appearances (57 minutes total)
Potential: 7.5/10 – Good top 5 league player
Antonio Prskalo*, 17, ST, Zrinjski Mostar U19
Strengths: lethal finishing, long shot, distribution, set pieces, dribbling
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: Prskalo moved from Hajduk to Zrinjski in 2019. He has appeared 6 times for Bosnia at the U18 level, but can still switch to Croatia. I think the HNS should jump on him immediately, because he is a gem. The definition of a lethal finisher; just look at his stats below. In the video linked, you can see all his goals from 2020/21… including one directly from a corner. I didn’t put him higher in the list, because right now, it looks as though he will play for Bosnia. He has not made an official announcement about which National Team he wishes to represent in the long term.
Stats:
- Zrinjski Mostar U17: 30 appearances, 31 goals, 9 assists
- Zrinjski Mostar U19: 3 appearances, 6 goals
- Bosnia i Herzegovina U18: 6 appearances, 3 goals
Potential: 8.5/10 – Borderline elite player
Bartol Barišić, 18, ST, Dinamo Zagreb II ($440k)
Strengths: strength, speed, finishing, passing, aerial duels, football IQ
Weaknesses: consistency, dribbling
Next step: Barišić is in a bit of a slump. Last October he was included in the Guardians’ 60 best young footballing talents, but since, he’s been in and out of form. Hopefully he can turn things around with Dinamo Zagreb’s second squad this season, because Barišić can be the solution to Croatia’s goal scoring problems. A true number 9, plays similarly to Erling Haaland.
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb U15: 24 appearances, 42 goals
- Dinamo Zagreb U17: 24 appearances, 27 goals
- Dinamo Zagreb U19: 12 appearances, 7 goals
- Croatia U17: 8 appearances, 10 goals
- Dinamo Zagreb II: 9 appearances, 2 assists
- Dinamo Zagreb: 1 appearance
Potential: 9/10 – Elite player
Mario Veljača, 19, ST/LW, Hrvatski Dragovoljac ($165k)
Strengths: dribbling, speed, finishing
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: Veljača has been one of the best players for a disappointing Dragovoljac this season. 2 goals in 5 games (not all starts) is quite impressive for a 19 year old on such a horrible squad. He’s shown he has a lot of potential, and was pretty impressive for Solin last season.
Stats:
- Solin: 24 appearances, 6 goals, 1 assist
- Hrvatski Dragovoljac: 5 appearances, 2 goals
Potential: 8/10 – Great top 5 league player
Ante Crnac, 17, ST/LW/CF/RW, Dinamo Zagreb II ($330k)
Strengths: speed, agility, finishing, distribution, dribbling
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: Crnac has risen quickly through the Dinamo ranks, spending very little time with the U19s before already getting promoted to the second team at only 17 years old. Expect him to be a regular starter there this season, and before we know it, he will debut for the senior squad. He is a dynamic and versatile player, can play on both wings and at the striker position. Excellent finishing and a very hard working player, fights for every ball.
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb U19: 9 appearances, 9 goals, 3 assists
- Dinamo Zagreb II: 5 appearances, 2 goals
Potential: 8.5/10 – Borderline elite player
3. Zlatan Košćević, 16, ST/LW, Dinamo Zagreb U17
Strengths: finishing, dribbling, agility, passing, football IQ, off the ball movement
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: Now just wait until you hear this guy’s stats… just wow. He contributed to 50% of Dinamo Zagreb U16’s goals last season, not to mention all the assists he recorded as well. Expect him to destroy the U17 division as well… not sure why he doesn’t just get promoted to U19 and spare those poor 17 year old keepers the embarrassment. And to top it all off, his name is Zlatan. What more could you ask for from a young striker talent!
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb U16: 30 appearances, 42 goals, 13 assists
- Croatia U17: 45 minutes played, 2 goals
Potential: 9.5/10 – Borderline world class
2. Roko Šimić, 17, ST, FC Liefering (RB Salzburg) ($2.20m)
Strengths: hard work, long range shooting, off the ball movement, intelligence, size, strength
Weaknesses: confidence relying player (has the ability to go on long goal scoring droughts, but all it takes is one goal to knock him out of it), hopefully he works on this.
Next step: Šimić moved to one of the best clubs for young footballing talents in RB Salzburg. Very excited to see him continue progressing there, and after consistent performances for Liefering, maybe he will receive a senior squad call-up.
Stats:
- Lokomotiva Zagreb: 22 appearances, 5 goals, 1 assist
- FC Liefering: 2 appearances, 1 goal
Potential: 9/10 – Elite player
- Marin Ljubičić, 19, ST, Hajduk Split ($385k)
Strengths: finishing, speed, dribbling, strength, distribution, footballing IQ
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: They call him the “splitski Mbappé”, Marin Ljubičić is a goal scoring threat every time he sets foot on the pitch. The National Team has been longing for this type of clinical finisher forever. The purchase of 21 year old Jan Mlakar by Hajduk has benched Ljubičić undeservingly, because every time he sets foot on the pitch he seems to make a goal happen. Not to mention, he has a special connection with Stipe Biuk, and maybe starting them together more often can help Biuk find the back of the net a little more often as well. Ljubičić was also doing insanely well in the preseason, and now benching him behind Mlakar, an unnecessary transfer, is just disrespectful. Ljubičić is exactly what Croatia needs, so let’s hope he continues to progress his game.
Stats:
- Hajduk Split U19: 19 appearances, 28 goals (assists weren’t recorded, so I don’t know how many he had)
- Hajduk Split II: 1 appearance
- Hajduk Split: 14 appearances, 8 goals, 2 assist
Potential: 9/10 – Elite player
To round this series off, I’ve averaged the potentials of all our different positions to find out in which areas of the pitch we have the most talent.
- Midfielders: 8.78/10 – Borderline elite to elite class of midfielders
- Wingers: 8.46/10 – Borderline elite class of wingers
- Defenders: 8.41/10 – Borderline elite class of defenders
- Strikers: 8.30/10 – Great to borderline elite class of strikers
- Goalkeepers: 7.68/10 – Good to great class of goalkeepers
Roko Šimić is the most promising among them all in my opinion. Ante Crnac, Dominik Babić, and Lovro Lazar are more of wingers.
Ante Crnac has made great progress in recent years. Honestly, a couple of years ago I thought he was the worst player in the great Dinamo generation 2003 (hopefully he doesn’t mind if he reads this hahaha), but obviously he’s no longer the one he was, and I’m really happy to see his improvements.
Dominik Babić is also an interesting player for me. I’ll probably make a highlight video of him in the next few weeks, and we’ll see how capable he is.
To be honest, some players mentioned in this list are way too overrated. Maybe it’s because the media tout the players to attract more attention, or because the players’ representatives ask the media to puff their clients. I think we shouldn’t follow suit, because it’s not good for the players’ development. I won’t specifically point out who are overrated in my opinion, and hopefully they will justify the praises and advertisements one day.
I still rate Ljubičić a little higher than Šimić but I agree it’s very interchangeable. Šimić is a great talent. Crnac is more of a winger but he can play striker so I put him here to round off my list. Babić has been playing striker more than winger so I’m surprised you mention that. He’s been excellent for Osijek youth, I’d love to watch a highlight tape if you make one for him. I disagree with the overrated part. I’m not hyping any of them up to reach their potentials, I think that is just their ceiling, the maximum they can reach in their careers.
I’ve always enjoyed the way Leipzig plays, and integrates their young talents. I’m happy to hear the Gvardiol is starting and playing well. I thought it was a great move for him at this stage of his career. Dani Olmo’s success on the international stage has a lot to do with his smart career choices, including coming to Dinamo at a young age, and choosing RB instead of a bigger club for his next step.
RB Leipzig (Gvardiol) vs VfB Stuttgart (Sosa)
Leipzig looks like a very well coached team, everyone is on the same page, high pressing from every single player and making it difficult for Stuttgart to build up a play and attack.
Gvardiol was very good today. The guy looks freakishly strong and crafty/skilled for someone his size. He does get clumsy at times but overall, I feel like he’s young and steady and hopefully he will only get better. Smart player with good defense and offence.
Sosa seems like a “classic” outside player. He has skills, common sense and the constant drive and ambition to get forward. His crosses are good, his passes and ball control are also good. Maybe this wasn’t the best game to really asses him, Stuttgart got slaughtered. Sosa does lack the same intensity defending as he does attacking.
In my opinion, Sosa has the tools to be great although I do see his immaturity on the field. Nowadays, you must be a two-way player.
Sosa is amazing offensively, but below average defensively.
I recall seeing some Bundesliga advanced stats last season that showed this.
I really hope Dalić understands his game and doesn’t just trying to plug him into the back four, expecting him to shut down some opposing wingers.
Gvardiol is a no-brainer talent.
Dalić threw him into a no-win situation, so we couldn’t really assess what he could when a competent coach puts him in a normal situation.
I really hope we don’t see Gvardiol and Sosa struggling under Dalić, and then lose their starting spots on the team because Vida, Lovren or Melnjak are a better fit for Dalić’s cookie-cutter strategy.
Yeah I agree. After seeing Sosa today I do feel he is deserving of being on the senior team….Melnjak could be 4th or 5th choice as far as left backs go.
Gvardiol starting for Lepizig today vs Stuttgart (at LB, not CB). Looks pretty good out there. Sosa also playing.
Gvardiol was solid. He looks very confident. Sosa was Soso. I really hope that Gvardiol starts playing CB.
Headlines say Biuk to Manchester or Dortmond is the latest rumor. That did not last long.
Modric hurt, not playing next game. Sept qualifiers in doubt.
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2021/8/20/22633837/modric-groin-injury-2021
Maybe this is a good thing gotta learn to play without luka we may look like shit without him but thats life players retire and get old. Time for kovacic to step up and broz get his head out his ass and be the best dm in world like in inter and maybe pasalic vlasic to play in middle we will see what polu neznalica sreckovic dalic does
It’s not a good thing because it gives Dalić yet another excuse for failure.
If we draw both Russia and Slovakia, then he will yap about it being a good result because we had injuries and were playing away from home.
yeah, we need to learn to play without him, but this is our toughest stretch of games. I worry about WC qualification now
Well looks like Hajduk has finally listened to me… Ljubičić is starting with Biuk against HD today. Hopefully they turn it on.
Krznar just confirmed that Majer is leaving after the Champions League qualifying game next week. He didn’t say where, but it looks like Rennes in France.
Those are some pretty prolific scoring rates from Barisic, Ljubicic and Koscevic.
Do we have anything to compare to as a baseline?
Like…how was Kramaric’s scoring rate at this youth level?
Kramarić is a bad example because no matter how prolific he was or still is, he just sucks when it comes to playing with Croatia. But I’m pretty sure Kramarić’s scoring rates were similar to Ljubičić, just over a goal per game until he got to 1. HNL.
We really do need to speak with Igor Matanović and get him on our U21 team.
The kid’s gonna be like 6’6″. Small sample, but looks like he can score well.
He hasn’t scored much lately. Kid was 17 playing U17 and not a consistent threat so it’s not very convincing.
Soccerway has him at 9 goals in 7 games for the U17s before he moved up to the U19s (and scored 3 goals in 5 games there).
Yea, he’s been sitting on the bench this past season (scoring only one goal) but that was for the senior side.
Seems like he does pretty well for his age group (and higher) but not ready for first team football at the senior level just yet.
Still worth trying to get him on our junior squads.
It looks like he was in the picture for us, then went to Germany. I don’t know the details.
But having a large striker is always useful. Fuck Germany for trying to steal Sosa. We need to actively bring in every diaspora German Croat now as payment.
Hajduk should focus their energies on the talent from Splitsko-dalmatinska županija.
Why they bring in random foreign bums is beyond me. Hasn’t worked one time in winning anything.
Cultivate all that homegrown talent and then when the super stars are READY, have them move on for big time transfer fees.
Rinse and repeat.
Then if you have a half brain you can start to attract more nogometaši from greater Croatia.
But you treat foreign bums better than your own Splićani and Hrvati for that matter?
That Jugo system is obsolete by decades now.
Hajduk needs to be viable.
Love to see Modrić create a mini youth academy in Zadar.
Markus…you’re basically saying Hajduk is screwing up Marin Ljubicic’s career…at least for the short term!
Are they that dumb to bench a player that consistently contributes to goals and chances?
I mean, the season has just begun so he still has so much time to get his chances if he impresses more than Mlakar. But as of now, Hajduk seems set on starting the Slovene at striker, although Ljubičić has contributed for more G/A. Not sure what the reason is, can’t really think of one. I would say they are seriously impacting his career if he doesn’t get serious starts all season, it’s still a bit early at the moment.
If his name was Mahir Ljubinho, then they would increase his salary tenfold and he’d be starting every game.
I like Zlatan Košćević
That name rolls off the tongue, lol.
I wanna hear some English commentators have to learn that name.
I see potential in all aspects of our youth expect strikers.
Who said “There is only ONE ZLATAN!”
We have proven them wrong !