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:
- Matej Perić (15)
- Mario Ćuze (22)
- Matej Vuk (20)
- Marko Divković (22)
- Noel Bilić (18)
- Vinko Rozić (18)
Mateo Lisica, 18, RW/RWB/RB, Istra 1961 ($330k)
Strengths: speed, dribbling, crossing
Weaknesses: defensive positioning
Next step: Lisica is considered by many to be a right-back prospect. I put him in the wingers category since he has impressed much more going forward, and I can really only see him perform as a wing-back. His defending is a bit shaky, but he is young and can work on it. On the current Istra squad, he is considered to be on rotation, so not quite a starter but he does play decent minutes for his age.
Stats:
- Istra 1961: 26 appearances
Potential: 7/10 – Top 5 league player
Denis Bušnja, 21, LW, Rijeka ($385k)
Strengths: dribbling, long shot, balance, clutch factor
Weaknesses: consistency, sprint speed
Next step: After an unsuccessful loan at Istra, Rijeka loaned Bušnja out to SFK Sered where he performed quite well. This season, he’s back in the 1. HNL, and has been a very clutch sub for Rijeka, even making a case that he should be starting sometimes. I can see him getting more chances when Robert Murić leaves.
Stats:
- Rijeka U19: 5 appearances
- Istra 1961: 16 appearances
- SFK Sered: 30 appearances, 5 goals, 5 assists
- Rijeka: 22 appearances, 3 goals
Potential: 7/10 – Top 5 league player
Kristijan Lovrić, 25, LW, Gorica ($6.60m)
Strengths: curling shot, long shot, dribbling
Weaknesses: sprint speed, age
Next step: Lovrić is deadly when he cuts from the left, onto his right foot, and curls it past the keeper. However, he lacks a bit of scoring diversity as he struggles sometimes against tough competition. Regardless, Lovrić has proved himself as one of the best players in the 1. HNL and could be an excellent substitute for the NT one day (Oršić-like sub).
Stats:
- Bela Krajina: 5 appearances
- Lučko: 9 appearances, 2 goals
- Kustošija Zagreb: 12 appearances, 12 goals
- Gorica: 101 appearances, 46 goals, 24 assists
Potential: 7/10 – Top 5 league player
Noah Pesch, 16, LW/AM/CM, Bayer 04 Leverkusen U19
Strengths: speed, technical skill, long shot, crossing, vision
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: Brother of Leon Pesch (featured in the top 16 defenders), Noah Pesch may be an even bigger talent. A hattrick against Borussia Monchengladbach U19 at the age of 16 shows us how talented he really is. Pesch was part of Bayer Leverkusen’s senior squad in the pre-season preparations and clocked a few minutes. Another interesting thing to note is that he signed his professional contract with Leverkusen aged 15 years and 1 month old. Kai Havertz did it at 17 years old. Noah Pesch will look to have a solid season with the U19s, seeing him potentially even getting promoted to Leverkusen’s first team as early as next season.
Stats:
- Croatia U15: 2 appearances
- Croatia U18: 2 appearances
Potential: 9/10 – Elite player
Antonio Marin, 20, LW/AM, Šibenik (loaned from Dinamo Zagreb) ($935k)
Strengths: vision, football IQ, shooting, passing, speed, dribbling, natural talent, flair
Weaknesses: consistency, mental toughness
Next step: Now before people go off on me in the comments, all I am stating is that Marin still has that elite potential, due to how naturally skilled he is. He is young and can still turn his career around. The Antonio Marin situation is not entirely his fault either, because he was pretty impressive in his short time with the first Dinamo team, and definitely deserved more chances. Zoran Mamić loaned him out to Monza in the Serie B where he only got 85 minutes of play in seven total appearances. Dinamo called him back and loaned him to Lokomotiva, where he was decent, but at least he got minutes. Around the end of last season he finally scored his first goal in a long time, and it was for Croatia U20 when they thumped the Turks. Marin recorded 2 beautiful goals and ever since, he’s played with a lot more confidence. He started the 1. HNL campaign well with Šibenik, but was having trouble putting the ball in the back of the net. In a very high goal scoring match, Marin recorded 2 goals against Hrvatski Dragovoljac in an impressive performance. I really hope he can continue performing well because the amount of talent this kid has is unbelievable….he can truly be an elite player if he works his things out.
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb U19: 13 appearances, 4 goals, 4 assists
- Dinamo Zagreb II: 9 appearances, 8 goals, 1 assist
- Dinamo Zagreb: 24 appearances, 1 goal, 5 assists
- Monza: 7 appearances
- Lokomotiva Zagreb: 15 appearances
- Šibenik: 5 appearances, 2 goals
Potential: 9/10 – Elite player
Josip Mitrović, 21, LW/RW/AM, Gorica ($935k)
Strengths: dribbling, distribution, vision, quickness
Weaknesses: consistency, tackling
Next step: Mitrović was on fire last season for Gorica but is off to a very slow start this campaign. The Croatian Lautaro Martinez (his nickname amongst teammates as he resembles him a lot), needs to step up his performances, but I could see him receiving a U21 call-up regardless, as he is an extremely skilled player and a valuable asset to that team. Also, check out the first clip in the linked video if you want to see a beautiful golasso he scored against Turkey U20.
Stats:
- Rijeka: 1 appearance
- Inter Zaprešić: 30 appearances, 4 goals, 4 assists
- Gorica: 35 appearances, 7 goals, 5 assists
Potential: 8/10 – Great top 5 league player
Dario Špikić, 22, LW/RW, Dinamo Zagreb ($2.00m)
Strengths: dribbling, speed, agility
Weaknesses: consistency
Next step: Due to Krznar’s horrible management, Špikić is currently rotting on the bench at Dinamo. Instead of tearing it up on loan, Špikić’s bottom is nailed to the pine. Very annoying as what he needs most right now is game time.
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb U19: 6 appearances, 1 goal, 2 assists
- Dinamo Zagreb II: 27 appearances, 3 goals
- Hajduk Split II: 30 appearances, 4 goals
- Hajduk Split: 1 appearance
- Gorica: 52 appearances, 7 goals, 6 assists
- Dinamo Zagreb: 2 appearances
Potential: 7.5/10 – Good top 5 league player
Marco Pašalić, 20, LW/RW/LWB/RWB/AM, Borussia Dortmund ($275k)
Strengths: agility, balance, acceleration, shooting, curling
Weaknesses: height, distribution
Next step: Pašalić has been a wonderful breakout talent this past season. He was doing very well for Stuttgart’s second squad, so Dortmund decided to pick him up. He’s been a joy to watch with their second team and was most recently promoted to make a cameo against giants Bayern Munich. Hopefully Pašalić can stay consistent and earn meaningful minutes with BVB this year.
Stats:
- Karlsruher U17: 26 appearances, 7 goals, 3 assists
- Karlsruher U19: 23 appearances, 1 goal, 3 assists
- Stuttgart II: 52 appearances, 14 goals, 12 assists
- 2020/21: 16 appearances, 4 goals, 9 assists
- Borussia Dortmund II: 3 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist
- Borussia Dortmund: 1 appearance
Potential: 8/10 – Great top 5 league player
Jere Vrcić, 16, LW, Hajduk Split U19
Strengths: speed, finishing, distribution, dribbling, technical skills
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: Vrcić was outright dominant against U17 competition last season, so he was promoted to the U19 roster for this upcoming season. Expect him to be a massive goal scoring threat.
Stats:
- Hajduk Split U17: 16 appearances, 15 goals
Potential: 8.5/10 – Borderline elite player
Josip Brekalo, 23, LW/RW, Wolfsburg ($13.20m)
Strengths: dribbling, acceleration, agility, shot placement
Weaknesses: strength, balance
Next step: Brekalo desperately needs to get out of Wolfsburg, as his current situation with the club is not great. He is not getting minutes whether he plays good or bad, so he needs to move ideally by the end of the transfer window. Brekalo needs to step it up to work his way back into the National Team fold. Regardless, he is still a big talent.
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb U19: 5 appearances, 3 goals, 1 assist
- Dinamo Zagreb II: 9 appearances
- Dinamo Zagreb: 11 appearances, 1 goal
- Stuttgart: 28 appearances, 3 goals, 2 assists
- Wolfsburg II: 2 appearances
- Wolfsburg: 121 appearances, 22 goals, 16 assists
- Croatia: 27 appearances, 4 goals
Potential: 8.5/10 – Borderline elite player
5. Luka Stojković, 17, LW/AM, Lokomotiva Zagreb ($165k)
Strengths: distribution, football IQ, consistency, vision, agility
Weaknesses: shooting strength
Next step: Stojković is looking to be a very exciting talent. He is starting for the Lokosi at just 17, and seems to have a special connection with teammate Lukas Kačavenda, they work excellently well together. Stojković needs to continue improving against tough 1. HNL opposition, and should get a call to a Croatian NT youth squad soon.
Stats:
- Lokomotiva Zagreb U19: 11 goals
- Lokomotiva Zagreb: 9 appearances, 1 assist
Potential: 9/10 – Elite player
4. Luka Ivanušec, 22, RW/AM/LW, Dinamo Zagreb ($14.85m)
Strengths: ball control, strength, balance, agility, distribution
Weaknesses: height
Next step: Ivanušec showed a lot of promise in the Euros, and continues to do so for Dinamo. Alongside Majer and Oršić, Ivanušec is a threatening player in the Croatian league. A move has to be coming soon, because quite frankly, he’s starting to outgrow the league. Strangely enough, Luka Ivanušec has not yet been seriously linked to any clubs.
Stats:
- Lokomotiva Zagreb: 92 appearances, 10 goals, 13 assists
- Dinamo Zagreb: 86 appearances, 15 goals, 11 assists
- Croatia U21: 28 appearances, 10 goals, 6 assists
- Croatia: 5 appearances, 1 goal
Potential: 9/10 – Elite player
3. Lukas Kačavenda, 18, LW/AM, Lokomotiva Zagreb ($880k)
Strengths: hard-working, consistency, dribbling, technical skills, finishing
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: Kačavenda came out of nowhere. I hadn’t followed him at all, didn’t even know he existed, until he debuted for Lokomotiva last season. I was instantly impressed with him and he’s demonstrated that he needs to be taken seriously. I wouldn’t be surprised if he receives a U21 call-up.
Stats:
- Lokomotiva Zagreb U19: 19 appearances, 7 goals, 1 assist
- Lokomotiva Zagreb; 14 appearances, 3 goals, 2 assists
Potential: 9.5/10 – Borderline world class player
2. Ivan Šaranić, 18, RW/AM, Dinamo Zagreb II ($1.65m)
Strengths: set pieces, height, speed, vision, creativity, dribbling, ball control
Weaknesses: None
Next step: Šaranić stands out every time he steps on the pitch as the most skilled player. He also has a swagger to his game that is very rare to see. If Dinamo cut out a lot of the dead wood on their squad, I truly believe that Šaranić would have a spot this season (especially if one of Majer or Ivanušec leaves, he could slot right in). He played at Dinamo’s U19 tournament, which he was called down to play in. He recorded 4 goals and 2 assists in 4 games played, in what would be considered a pretty mediocre tournament for his standards. I believe that Šaranić is too strong for the 2. HNL and should be on loan if not with Dinamo’s main squad. Šaranić holds some crazy statistic with Dinamo Zagreb youth teams, scoring around 80-83 goals in 84 games… as a midfielder!! Šaranić compares his style of play to that of Swedish wonderkid, Dejan Lov Kulusevski. A while back, Dinamo received a 5 million euro offer from Barcelona for Šaranić’s services, and most recently, 10 million from Real. Both turned down.
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb U17: 18 appearances, 14 goals, 6 assists
- Dinamo Zagreb U19: 16 appearances, 11 goals, 10 assists
- Dinamo Zagreb II: 9 appearances, 4 goals, 2 assists
- Dinamo Zagreb: 4 appearances, 1 assist
Potential: 10/10 – World class
- Stipe Biuk, 18, LW/RW, Hajduk Split ($4.40m)
Strengths: dribbling, speed, football IQ, mentality, agility, shooting, ball control
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: Biuk was a revelation last season. He’s a dynamic, skilled winger and undoubtedly one of the most, if not the most, talented Croatian youngsters right now. He enjoyed an amazing end of the season last year, but has been relatively quiet so far this season. No goals or assists, which is a bit strange for someone so skilled. He has been battling a few injury problems this year and often puts in a good showing, just can’t find his name on the scoresheet too much recently. Dortmund, Manchester City, Juventus, AC Milan, Frankfurt, Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim, RB Salzburg and Borussia Monchengladbach have all been rumoured to show a lot of interest in Stipe Biuk. City even reportedly offered 18 million pounds for the dynamic winger, but Hajduk rejected stating they don’t intend to sell him for at least another season. I think he should stay this season and probably even the next one, depending on how much he will grow until then. Biuk has shown world class skill on occasion, he just needs to display it a little more consistently, and start getting his name on the scoresheet. I think it will only take a goal, then he will fire off to an amazing season with tons of confidence.
Stats:
- Hajduk U19: 17 games, 6 appearances, 7 assists
- Hajduk Split II: 1 appearance
- Hajduk Split: 16 appearances, 3 goals, 4 assists
Potential: 10/10 – World class
For me, Luka Ivanušec and Josip Brekalo are the best.
Luka Stojković and Lukas Kačavenda are more of attacking midfielders.
I’m really happy to see Antonio Marin is trying to play as an attacking midfielder at Šibenik, because he is slower than a winger should be. From some personal sources I learned that Marin smokes, and I actually didn’t want to make it public but now I think he needs public pressure to change! I don’t want to see such a great talent on the decline any more! Smoking is poisonous to a player, and I do hope he already got rid of or is trying to get rid of it.
I’m not sure about how Ivan Šaranić identify his position or plan his career, but I personally prefer him to play in the midfield.
I’ve had to change players around. I know Kačavenda plays more as a AM, but Stojković is a LW every time he plays for Lokomotiva. They are both capable on the wing, this is why I’ve included them. Šaranić is good in AM and RW but he has played RW more for Dinamo. I put him with the wingers because we have less RW talents than AM, so he would probably play there should he make the national team. As for Marin, I never knew that, very interesting.
Juranović Goal was surprisingly well taken.
Uh oh, Slavonac.
Brekalo has a message for you:
https://www.total-croatia-news.com/sport/55384-josip-brekalo-responds-to-critics
Someone’s been cancelled
Hey Maminjo,
I love Brekalo…especially after he disagreed to wear the colorful armband but I felt he struggled at the Euros. I’m not a hater, I just think he isn’t there yet snd maybe sitting him will make him hungry.
Also, I said Petkovic had the attitude problem, I never once said Brekalo did…I love the kid!
Rijeka game is live on RTL if anyone has a Croatian TV subscription (Saan.tv, etc)
Rijeka 1-1 PAOK
Not bad, considering they were outplayed. Shame that PAOK scored in extra time off an autogol.
Ya, its too bad they couldn’t hang on for a few more seconds, but they were defending for their lives at the end of the game. Pretty much the opposite of Dinamo’s swiss cheese defensive effort. At least they have a good chance to advance, starting even at Rujevica.
maybe we need to play him as a winger:
https://streamable.com/5y8mou
Yea he’s probably better suited for the role.
No Croatian player should be playing in England b/c if they so much as look at a negro the wrong way, he’ll be accused of “racism” and instantly be under investigation for a Hate CRIME. It’s unbelievable how an Englishman wrote ‘1984’ and his own country has turned into that very dystopian hell hole.
More like “Average Racist”. Shut up clown.
Hns and the board is the problem imo for a small country we are a footballing nation and the talent we have just needs to grow and stop thing about transfers luka modric played until he was 23 in dinamo. Now players once they are 18 19 get sold and lost playing outside croatia.
Also happy finally some diaspora players are highly rated and choosing croatia.
Gotta be smart but i think Dalic still is here because of 2018 just like ciro 98. Gotta build and start fresh i know veterans are good to have but gotta have a mix on pitch build chemistry. Brekalo sosa combo on the left side was deadly for youth teams. Alot of coachs shocked he got left out nedt months games. Same for stanisic if he good enough for bayern 11 can be good enough for a A team call.
I still have bad taste in mouth from euros could have done better with coaching and call ups.
Livakovic Juranovic Vida Lovren Gvardiol Modric Broz Kovacic Vlasic Budimir Perisic i think will line v russia
Id like to see Livakovic Stanisic Gvardiol CC Sosa Broz Modric Pasalic Vlasic Perisic Budimir lineup try something new but who iam i one of the 4 million coachs croatia have
Miki, you said:
“Hns and the board is the problem imo for a small country we are a footballing nation and the talent we have just needs to grow and stop thing about transfers luka modric played until he was 23 in dinamo. Now players once they are 18 19 get sold and lost playing outside croatia.”
This is a club problem, not HNS problem. Each club owns the rights to their players and they decide to whom and when they should sell them…HNS has nothing to do with that as far as I know.
In my opinion looking at these options I find it very hard to tell if we are deep or not. I’m probably unpopular for saying this but Brekalo just isn’t lethal enough at the moment and I saw he really couldn’t find his way into a few games…very ineffective for long periods of the games he played.
I watched Biuk play a couple of times, he’s COMPETITIVE and he hates to lose any challenge…this is what makes him special. The guy is relevant in almost every play and its because he’s optimistic in his mind that he will break through and make a play.
Markus…I saw you mentioned that some players weaknesses would include their “height”? WTH!! Its almost an advantage for a player to be shorter in most cases as an attacker…I really don’t understand the logic behind “lack of height” being a weakness.
Yeah I get what you’re saying especially for a winger like Ivanušec being lower to the ground really helps his game, but it’s difficult to find any weaknesses for him so I’m really just nit picking. Ivanušec likes to work his way into the box and being shorter than your opponent can be a disadvantage if an aerial duel needs to be won.
For example, in Biuk’s case, he’s just under 6 foot 1. So not only is he nifty and skilled, he can also win some headers if need be.
That’s all it is, just really trying to nit pick because I believe every player in the world have some weaknesses, so I hate leaving them empty on these lists. Only reason some are empty is because I really couldn’t find any in the time I watched them. I’m sure if I watched every single one of these players week in week out, I’d find a few more.
some weaknesses that players have:
– not involved in the game for long periods
– loss of concentration
– poor decision making
– losing possession too easily
– not playing the ball fast enough (holding on too long)
– not in position when needed
– liability defensively
– not able to make space for themself
…..
a smart player knows how to make time and space for himself. reading the play and reacting early gives the advantage. If you are constantly losing each battle, move to another space on the field…play the ball faster, change up what you do…don’t be predictable….
We go as Biuk goes
https://bvbbuzz.com/2021/08/12/borussia-dortmund-keeping-eye-youngster-stipe-biuk/
Biuk has to make that just right challenge club move where he will develop ON THE PITCH.
https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2021/official-lille-sign-croatian-goalkeeper-ivo-grbic-from-atletico-madrid/
Finally going to get some minutes.
Excellent news.
Now we can see if Grbić is a capable starting keeper or not.
Livaković has been too sheltered by playing on the top team in the HNL all these years, and simply being handed the starting NT keeper duties (just because he starts for Dinamo).
If Grbić can impress in the French league, we’ll finally have a legit keeper.
Hopefully he doesn’t disappoint.
you dare to put brekal0 }
but not mention our GOD _o) Halilovic
what a piece of junk +
Halilovic couldn’t even get his contract extended by Birmingham.
They wanted to extend him, but for cheap. I think the coach wants to play a different formation that won’t be ideal for Alen, possibly keeping him on the bench at times.
He’s a free agent now, and is deciding on whether to stay in the English Championship or go back to the HNL.
He at least admitted to making career mistakes. He blames his failure to meet expectations on career ‘mistakes and injuries’, but I still can’t see him becoming much more than he already is.
Way too many wingers ahead of him right now. He’s not worth mentioning anymore.
At this point I’m not even sure he’d crack a top 100 wingers list lol
You do comprehend that clowns sarcasm don’t you maminjo?
If not look it up on Wikipedia.
You seem to have an odd obsession with me… And Wikipedia. Lol