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:
- Antonio Kujundžić (15)
- Luka Vušković (14)
- Ante Palaversa (21)
- Antonio Mionić (20)
- Mihael Žaper (23)
- Mario Čuić (20)
Toma Bašic, 24, DM/CM, Bordeaux ($9.90m)
Strengths: distribution, defending, dribbling
Weaknesses: speed, duels
Next step: Bašic needs more exposure. He is kind of hitting a standstill in Ligue 1, and I don’t think Bordeaux is the club for him. He has featured recently in the National Team squad, but his mediocre performances haven’t really convinced Dalić to include him again.
Stats:
- NK Rudeš: 25 appearances, 2 goals
- Hajduk Split: 75 appearances, 11 goals, 14 assists
- FC Girondins Bordeaux: 81 appearances, 9 goals, 5 assists
- 85% pass accuracy
- 48% long ball accuracy
- 1.2 tackles per game
- 0.9 interceptions per game
- 74% successful dribbles
- 44% duels won
Potential: 7/10 – Top 5 league player
Nikola Moro, 23, DM, Dynamo Moscow ($7.70m)
Strengths: defending, football IQ, distribution
Weaknesses: duels
Next step: Nikola Moro has developed into an excellent defensive midfielder in Russia, but he has still to really break out and make an impact in Europe. Since leaving Zagreb for a sideways move to Moscow, Moro has fallen off the radar of many Croatian football followers. He hasn’t truly improved his game a lot from his time in Zagreb, other than completing himself as a true number 6 (a position in which we are a bit thin). Hopefully Moro can take that next step in his career and make a top 5 league move.
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb U19: 10 appearances, 1 assist
- Dinamo Zagreb II: 30 appearances, 7 goals
- Dinamo Zagreb: 114 appearances, 10 goals, 8 assists
- Dynamo Moscow: 30 appearances, 3 goals, 1 assist
- 1.3 shots per game
- 78% pass accuracy
- 58% long ball accuracy
- 1.9 interceptions per game
- 1.5 tackles per game
- 1.2 clearances per game
- 69% successful dribbles
- 52% duels won
- Croatia U21: 24 appearances, 6 goals
Potential: 7.5/10 – Good top 5 league player
Jakov-Anton Vasilj, 19, CM/AM/RW, Dinamo Zagreb II ($330k)
Strengths: dribbling, work ethic, versatility, vision, shooting
Weaknesses: injury prone
Next step: Vasilj, along with Šaranić and Baturina are the three musketeers of the Dinamo academy at the moment. These three midfielders have played together at the U19 and Dinamo II levels. All insanely talented. Vasilj is a starter for Dinamo Zagreb II at the moment, and his goal should be to have a very good season and push for a spot with the senior squad next year, maybe as a rotation midfielder. If not, a loan move to one of Lokomotiva or Šibenik would be excellent for him next year.
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb U19: 6 appearances, 4 goals, 2 assists
- Dinamo Zagreb II: 5 appearances, 1 assist
- Dinamo Zagreb: 2 appearances
- Croatia U17: 11 appearances, 3 goals
- Croatia U19: 4 appearances
Potential: 8/10 – Great top 5 league player
Borna Panić, 16, AM/CM, Juventus
Strengths: ball control, maturity, endurance
Weaknesses: defending
Next step: Panić is doing well in Juventus’ youth set up, considering he’s 16 years old playing with either the U17 or U19 squad this season. At a U17 tournament in Paris, Borna won the player of the tournament award, against fierce competitors in PSG, Lille, Marseille, Toulouse, Reinnes, Strasbourg and Porto’s academy teams. He is still very, very young and needs to continue being consistent and perform well.
Stats: None recorded
Potential: 8/10 – Great top 5 league player
Šimun Mikolčić, 17, CM/AM, Osijek II
Strengths: set pieces, vision, maturity, ball control
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: Mikolčić is an excellent young footballer who has recently taken massive steps forward in terms of his career. After a dominant campaign with Osijek’s U17 team, he got his debut with the A squad. Expect Mikolčić to feature in the 1. HNL much more regularly next season.
Stats:
- Osijek U17: 17 appearances, 13 goals (as a CM)
- Croatia U15: 5 appearances
- Croatia U16: 6 appearances
- Croatia U17: 2 appearances
Potential: 8.5/10 – Borderline elite player
Kristijan Jakić, 24, DM/CM, Dinamo Zagreb ($4.40m)
Strengths: defensive awareness, long balls, consistency
Weaknesses: elite attribute
Next step: Jakić has been very solid for Dinamo last season and continues to be this season. He is an excellent defensive midfielder and could be very useful to the National Team in the near future. We were pretty surprised to see that Jakić was not even on the call-up list for September’s qualifiers.
Stats:
- RNK Split: 34 appearances, 1 assist
- Istra 1961: 15 appearances
- Lokomotiva Zagreb: 59 appearances, 5 goals, 3 assists
- Dinamo Zagreb: 55 appearances, 3 goals, 5 assists
- 86% pass accuracy
- 0.7 key passes per game
- 76% long ball accuracy
- 1.7 tackles per game
- 88% successful dribbles
- 59% duels won
Potential: 8/10 – Good top 5 league player
Noa-Gabriel Šimić, 17, AM/CM, Augsburg U19
Strengths: flair, creativity, dribbling, long shots, finishing
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: Šimić is another extremely talented player from Germany. His next step would be to appear for Augsburg’s first squad in the near future. He is still only 17 years old, so expect him to play with the U19 squad this year.
Stats:
- Augsburg U17 (COVID season): 5 appearances, 6 goals
- Augsburg U19: 1 appearance, 1 goal
Potential: 8.5/10 – Borderline elite player
Tomislav Duvnjak, 18, DM/CM, Dinamo Zagreb II ($440k)
Strengths: leadership, mentality, consistency, defending, distribution, dribbling
Weaknesses: speed
Next step: Duvnjak is impressing with Dinamo II so far this season, and expect him to be a contender for the Dinamo midfield next season. Although, I still think it will be too early for that big of a jump, so his next step should be a loan to another 1. HNL team.
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb II: 28 appearances, 1 assist
- Dinamo Zagreb: 1 appearance
Potential: 8.5/10 – Borderline elite player
Franjo Ivanović, 17, AM, Augsburg ($138k)
Strengths: finishing, speed, dribbling
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: Ivanović has featured in Augsburg’s first team recently, however expect him to be playing with the second team throughout the season. Next year, Ivanović needs to step up to the first squad as he is an insanely talented player. He is also a consistent performer for Croatia’s youth teams, which will help him walk into the U21 squad in a few years time.
Stats:
- Augsburg U17: 14 appearances, 15 goals, 3 assists
- Augsburg U19: 9 appearances, 5 goals, 3 assists
- Augsburg II: 4 appearances
- Augsburg: 2 appearances
- Austria U15: 1 appearance, 2 goals
- Croatia U14: 3 appearances
- Croatia U15: 2 appearances
- Croatia U16: 7 appearances, 3 goals
- Croatia U17: 3 appearances
- Croatia U18: 2 appearances, 1 goal
Potential: 8.5/10 – Borderline elite player
Luka Vrbančić, 16, CM, Dinamo Zagreb U17
Strengths: vision, football IQ, long shots, dribbling
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: Vrbančić is the most skilled U17 player in Dinamo’s academy. At just 16 years old, I can genuinely see him make a run for the U19 squad. He needs to focus on his training and performances, because with his level of skill and intelligence, he will sooner rather than later be featured in Dinamo’s first team.
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb U15: 18 appearances, 11 goals
- Dinamo Zagreb U17: 22 appearances, 6 goals
- Croatia U15: 1 appearance
- Croatia U16: 4 appearances
- Croatia U17: 2 appearances
Potential: 8.5/10 – Borderline elite player
Niko Rak, 18, CM, Šibenik
Strengths: ball control, long balls, distribution, football IQ, dribbling
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: In the 1. HNL preview article posted by CroatiaU14 and I, we said to keep your eye out on 18 year old youngster Niko Rak this season. Boy, were we ever right! Rak has been one of Šibenik’s best players this year. He was given a chance early, and stepped up to the plate. Expect him to be a regular starter for them all year long.
Stats:
- Šibenik: 7 appearances, 2 assists
Potential: 9/10 – Elite player
Ivan Ćubelić, 18, CM, Hajduk Split ($605k)
Strengths: dribbling, vision, creativity, set pieces, shooting
Weaknesses: endurance
Next step: With the unfortunate abolishment of Hajduk’s reserve team, Ćubelić was set down to the U19 team, a setback from last season. He’s been, to say the least, absolutely dominant. I’d like to see him in the 1. HNL, however, as I firmly believe he is good enough right now, and is just wasting his time in a lower division. A loan move would be beneficial.
Stats:
- Hajduk Split U19: 5 appearances, 1 goal, 7 assists
- Hajduk Split II: 22 appearances, 1 goal, 5 assists
- Hajduk Split: 2 appearances, 1 assist
Potential: 9/10 – Elite player
Marko Brkljača, 17, AM/CM, Hajduk Split U19
Strengths: dribbling, speed, shooting, distributing, balance, mentality, creativity
Weaknesses: defensive reliability
Next step: At the age of 16, Marko Brkljača was called up to Croatia’s U19 squad. He was the youngest player on the team. He was also with Hajduk’s first team for the pre-season preparations. A lightning quick dribbler with a killer shot, Brkljača is destined for greatness. A good player comparison would be prime Coutinho. Expect him to potentially push for Hajduk’s first team next season. The only reason he wouldn’t is because he plays in the same position as Livaja. Otherwise, a loan would be good for him.
Stats:
- Hajduk Split U19 (this season): 1 appearance, 1 goal
- Hajduk Split: 2 appearances (90 minutes total), 1 goal, 1 assist
Potential: 9.5/10 – Borderline world class player
Marko Bulat, 19, DM/CM, Dinamo Zagreb ($3.30m)
Strengths: distribution, defending, leadership, maturity, dribbling, ball control, tackling
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: Bulat has been Šibenik’s captain since the age of 18. He has also played over 100 matches in the 1. HNL at the age of just 19! A recent move to Dinamo finds him stuck on the bench, although he has been clearly much better and more skilled than Josip Mišić, in his short cameos. Bulat should be starting for Dinamo and needs to prove to Krznar that he deserves it, because I’m not sure why he isn’t right now. A U21 call-up should be expected as well, where I believe he should be a starter.
Stats:
- Šibenik: 98 appearances, 9 goals, 8 assists
- 8 big chances created
- 1.6 key passes
- 87% pass accuracy
- 59% long balls
- 1.3 interceptions per game
- 2 tackles per game
- 53% duels won
- Dinamo Zagreb: 3 appearances
- 96% pass accuracy
- 83% long ball accuracy
- 0.5 tackles per game
- 1.5 key passes per game
- 100% duels won
- Croatia U16: 4 appearances
- Croatia U17: 9 appearances, 1 goal
- Croatia U18: 2 appearances
- Croatia U19: 9 appearances
Potential: 9.5/10 – Borderline world class player
Martin Baturina, 18, CM, Dinamo Zagreb II ($660k)
Strengths: finishing, shooting, speed, dribbling, passing
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: Baturina is a huge talent. Dribbles like a winger, scores like a striker…but he’s a central midfielder. Excellent passing range with good vision as well. Baturina is set to have a great season with the second squad, and seems to be up and down with the Dinamo A and II rosters. Expect him to outgrow the 2. HNL this year.
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb U19: 19 appearances, 12 goals, 5 assists
- Dinamo Zagreb II: 9 appearances, 1 assist
- Dinamo Zagreb: 3 appearances
Potential: 9.5/10 – Borderline world class player
5. Lovro Majer, 23, AM/CM, Dinamo Zagreb ($14.30m)
Strengths: shooting, distribution, crossing, long balls, consistency, technique, stamina, agility
Weaknesses: sprint speed, aerial duels
Next step: Majer has officially outgrown the 1. HNL. The 2020/2021 1. HNL player of the year has been nothing short of dominant for Dinamo so far this season. He is heavily linked to a move to Ligue 1’s Stade Rennais. In terms of team quality, it isn’t much of a forward step, and I think he could have gone to a better league. However, Rennes is an amazing developmental club, and he will be playing alongside many talented youngsters like Camavinga and Doku. He will also be playing consistent European football, something he wouldn’t get if he went to a mid-table team in Europe’s top 4. Majer should undoubtedly be on Croatia’s A team, but unfortunately, we do not decide who gets called up. Majer has revived his career these past few years and is one of the biggest midfield talents in all of Europe.
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb II: 1 appearance
- Lokomotiva Zagreb: 62 appearances, 18 goals, 16 assists
- Dinamo Zagreb: 96 appearances, 19 goals, 25 assists
- 1.9 shots per game
- 15 big chances created (last season)
- 85% pass accuracy
- 72% long ball accuracy
- 0.5 interceptions per game
- 70% successful dribbles
- 1.2 tackles per game
Potential: 9/10 – Elite player
4. Nikola Vlašić, 23, AM/RW, CSKA Moscow ($33.00m)
Strengths: balance, dribbling, finishing, agility, passing
Weaknesses: aerial duels
Next step: Vlašić needs to leave Moscow. He’s been pushing for a Milan move like crazy, but Moscow won’t budge. There are rumours of an improved offer due to Milan’s unstable financial situation, so there is a little bit of hope. He needs to be playing in a top 5 league. He has been the best player in the Russian league for 3 seasons in a row. Vlašić should also be a starter in the NT fold, as he’s more of a rotation player right now. I predict he will absolutely take off once he starts playing top 5 league and European football.
Stats:
- Hajduk Split: 120 appearances, 13 goals, 20 assists
- Everton U23: 1 appearance
- Everton: 19 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist
- CSKA Moscow: 106 appearances, 33 goals, 23 assists
- 0.4 goals per game
- 4 shots per game
- 9 big chances created
- 2.8 key passes per game
- 81% pass accuracy
- 61% long balls
- 0.7 tackles per game
- 56% successful dribbles
- Croatia U16: 8 appearances, 1 goal
- Croatia U17: 8 appearances, 1 goal
- Croatia U18: 2 appearances, 1 goal
- Croatia U19: 3 appearances
- Croatia U21: 19 appearances, 7 goals
- Croatia: 26 appearances, 6 goals
Potential: 9.5/10 – Borderline world class player
3. Gabriel Vidović, 17, AM/LW, Bayern Munchen II ($220k)
Strengths: finishing, long shots, dribbling, speed, distribution, ball control, long balls
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: Vidović is tearing apart the league with Bayern Munchen II, and looks like he is on the verge of making the senior squad as a 17 year-old. He was with them the entire pre-season, featuring in every game. Vidović needs to continue tearing apart the league, and possibly earn himself some minutes with the senior squad next season. He needs to be in a stronger league next year, and I can see him being loaned to a weaker Bundesliga team for development. Vidović is a very devoted footballer, as he lives in Augsburg and needs to drive 60km to Munich and 60km back home every day, just for training.
Stats:
- Bayern Munchen U17: 16 appearances (only 6 starts), 4 goals
- Bayern Munchen U19: 5 appearances (only 3 starts), 1 goal, 2 assists
- Bayern Munchen II: 5 appearances, 3 goals, 4 assists
- Bayern Munchen: 1 goal (pre-season)
Potential: 9.5/10 – Borderline world class player
2. Lovro Zvonarek, 16, CM/AM/LM/RM, Slaven Belupo ($330k)
Strengths: ball control, balance, passing, shooting, football IQ, maturity, dribbling, quick agility
Weaknesses: no outstanding weaknesses yet
Next step: At just 15 years old, Lovro Zvonarek was invited to a Bayern Munich trial camp with the U17 and U19 squads. Impressing the coaching staff, it is rumoured that Slaven received an offer but it was declined. Bayern is keeping very close tabs to this day on Zvonarek. The youngest goalscorer in 1. HNL history (16y 14d) and second youngest player ever (16y5d) at just 16 years old, Zvonarek is a massive talent. He is also wearing the number 10 shirt for Slaven this season. Zvonarek needs to continue impressing at Slaven to eventually earn a move to either one of the bigger Croatian clubs, or out of the country when he feels ready.
Stats:
- Slaven Belupo U15: 18 appearances, 5 goals
- Slaven Belupo U17: 17 appearances, 12 goals
- Slaven Belupo: 6 appearances, 1 goal
Potential: 10/10 – World class
- Luka Sučić, 18, CM/AM/LM, Red Bull Salzburg ($3.30m)
Strengths: composure, distribution, football IQ, long range shooting, curling, dribbling, vision
Weaknesses: sprint speed
Next step: Sučić is on a mission this year. He’s been one of Salzburg’s best performers all season long at just 18 years of age and has surely now cemented himself as a starter. Excelling in the 10 role, Sučić is a complete midfielder that can do it all, as well as providing a goal scoring threat and being reliable in defense. Sučić needs to continue being consistently good at Salzburg, whose fans are already hailing him as Dominik Szoboszlai’s replacement. Sučić is showing all the signs of being a world class talent, performing against some of the best teams in the world in Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Hopefully, Sučić can continue to work hard on and off the pitch and develop into one of the best midfielders in the world.
Stats:
- RB Salzburg U19: 10 appearances, 6 goals, 2 assists
- FC Liefering: 26 appearances, 6 goals, 8 assists
- Salzburg: 31 appearances, 4 goals, 3 assists
- 1 shot per game
- 6 big chances created
- 0.9 key passes per game
- 84% pass accuracy
- 49% long ball accuracy
- 1 tackle per game
- 80% successful dribbles
- 62% ground duels won
- vs. Brondby (UCL qualifier)
- 87% pass accuracy
- 6 key passes
- 2 big chances created
- 3/5 long balls
- 2 tackles
Potential: 10/10 – World class
First, thanks for sharing my videos.
Nikola Vlašić is the top 1 for me now, but Luka Sučić is also incredibly promising as well.
Before Nikola Moro got the serious knee injury, I thought he was the only one who could have reached Modrić’s class. Fortunately he’s getting better and better after the injury, and he’s still one of my favourite young players for sure.
I’m sorry for Borna Panić because he is actually more talented than he looks in my video. He’s a kind of player that you can’t tell how good he is by the highlights, but by the full matches. When I made the video, it was the first year he just joined Juventus, and he’s in better shape now.
Luka Vušković is a huge, huge, huge talent. Frankly speaking, he made lots of defensive mistakes in his early years, but that’s because he dares to try and to challenge, which makes him who he is now. He can play both CDM and CB, and I think he will shine no matter which position he plays.
Lovro Zvonarek is probably the best talent for Slaven Belupo of all time. I have to admit I’m quite harsh and strict when it comes to scouting, and very few non-starting players in the national youth team can catch my attention, but Lovro did. He’s really skillful and smart, and I believe he’ll no longer be benched when he got back to the national youth team.
Again, some players listed here are way too overrated, but I, of course, won’t say their names. And I hope they’ll all justify the praises one day.
I love Vušković and I think he will be huge, but he’s still very young and 14 so I didn’t want to include him in a list where some people are 10 years older than him. Vlašić is obviously the best player on this list, most established…. however I put Sučić higher just based on potential. I’ve seen other clips of Panić and he’s a fantastic player. One of the least talked about talents.
Love your videos, really great highlight tapes… keep up the good work man.
Markus truly amazing work very impressive.
BUT we need to temper our expectations reading this,we all think We struck the mother load of young footballing talent after being mesmerized by your glowing synopsis of each and every player.I’m a glass half full kind of guy myself but yours is over flowing with the finest Slivo known to man.
3/4 of these guys will just fade away and of the 1/4 left only a few will become world class if we are lucky.
How many of us played with guys in our teens who were studs but then stagnated.. it’s no different in Europe.
Sucic and vlasic are the only guys I would put my money on presently to be sure things…Gvardiol needs a ton of work postion wise..defensively he looks lost out there ..I’m leery of him even if he’s young ,though offensively he’s a stud for a defender his cut backs and touch on the ball are sublime.
Keep up the great work .I truly hope I’m eating “cro”in 6 years and we can field 22 beasts if we choose?
Yep, I agree… other than the Gvardiol thing because he was thrown to the wolves with no preparation. Sučić would probably fuck up if thrown into a game like that with no prep. But I get what you’re saying, this is just an analysis on how they all perform and the promise they show. It’s okay to be a little excited but of course we must proceed with caution…
We’ve gotten our hearts broken by players like Halilović, Balić, Ćorić, Pjaca (injuries of course), Jedvaj, etc… too many times.
well if 1/4 of these guys do become world class, then we’ll win multiple World Cups lol
I’d be happy with a 10% ‘world class’ return on these guys
Maminjo he Didn’t say 1/4 becoming world class.
He said of the 1/4 Remaining IF A FEW become world class we are in good shape.
Boys, Markus and Ante, thanks for giving us such a comprehensive assessment of our talent. As we know it’s alway rolling the dice, but it seems this is are deepest talent pool since we became an independent country. We never know but, it’s a testament to our genetics and talent as a people. It’s going to be a interesting decade who makes it or not, let’s focus on making WC 20222 and see what happens
Marco Pašalić commits to Croatia as well.
That’s three diaspora players (Sučić, Pašalić and Stanišić) who have verbally committed to the cause.
These guys are showing the Hercegovci (Sosa) how you’re supposed to it.
😉
No way these guys would’ve played for a different country. It be like if Kovacic or Rakitic switched over. An absolute disgrace.
Sosa is from Zagreb, Sucic from srednja Bosna and Pasalic from Hercegovina. So either respect people from Hercegovina, or go hide in a cave somewhere, because we aren’t going anywhere. Jackass.
Sosa playing in Germany, being eligible through his mother to play there, and having grandparents living in Germany would have been committing public relations suicide in Germany by not accepting an offer from a talented senior national team like Germany. Certainly, he would have played for Croatia had he been given an offer sooner (he was in a no win situation).
Dalic made the right Decision as a coach, and as a Croatian / Catholic to include him now. Not sure why some fans can’t lay off of him?
Perfect timing for Sucic to take a step forward in his development.
After a weak Euro 2020 performance, with a declining team of aging stars being led by a lame duck coach into next year’s World Cup…this is a breath of fresh air.
Most of us know that Kovacic is NOT the answer moving forward.
As someone once called him…he’s a good “passenger” for the ride, but he’s someone that could never provide a serious impact.
Having a high end prospect like Sucic, along with an already impactful young player like Vlasic (as well as a collection of other young guys like Ivanusec, Majer, etc)…Our future in midfield looks bright.
Couple this with a sudden spike in defender prospects over this past year (Sosa, Gvardiol, Stanisic, Pongracic, Bradaric, Caleta-Car, etc)…and suddenly we have a quality young team that could take some nice leaps forward as we transition away from the Modric/Perisic/Vrsaljkos of the squad.
Need to see some of these guys in the checkers. Hopefully there are some U Level tourneys coming up soon.
based on the video I just saw, Sucic is probably the most assertive player we’ve seen wearing Croatian colors. I like his style and it looks like he does command a lot of the play. Let’s hope he continues to improve and…lets call him up ASAP!
His general demeanour on the pitch reminds me of Modrić. A quiet leader; doesn’t have to scream or say much, but the confidence he wears on the pitch is Modrić-like.
I didn’t watch Modric at the age of 18 so its hard to tell. I’ve heard from many people that Modric was a very noticeable talent (which strikes me as odd that Hajduk passed on him) at a young age and that he was often the leader on the field. Two years ago I went to Mostar…to Zrinjski (Bijeli Brijeg) stadion and I spoke to a few people. One of the guys who works at the club told me that Modric was EXTREMELY competitive and that many people were very surprised at how physically tough he was because that league in BiH is a damn cesspool of butchers. The league is a stepping stone to other leagues in the region so those guys really fight hard to get out of BiH and every game is a battle.
Does it really strike you as odd that Hajduk passed on a talent? 🙂
Not after what I’ve seen for the past 10-15 years!
Impressive that you have done so much research. And a very timely post, as it gets one’s mind away from the Dinamo debacle!
Duvnjak looks like an interesting player. Strong on the ball, quick turns and good vision….he’d be a replacement for Brozovic some day. I just hope he has Brozo’s lung capacity and toughness…both physical and mental!
I see some really high scores…9 and 9.5…given to the players and this seems unrealistic to me. Most players get in the 7’s if they’re having a fantastic game and into the 8’s if its unusually a good game…..offering scores of 9 seems like they’re at the Messi/Ronaldo level and I just don’t see that as a reliable.
When I read information like this I ask myself what the difference is between today and 10 years ago? Are we really progressing as a soccer nation with such a huge margin or do we have more resources to capture player stats and videos…which make us think we are progressing at an unusual faster rate?
Sucic and Zvoranek both got 10’s…Vidovic and Vlasic both got 9.5’s…in my opinion, Vlasic is no better than a 6.5 or 7 at the moment.
No, no. You misunderstood the number. This isn’t like a match rating type thing. I’m giving them ratings based on what I believe is their highest achievable potential. Vlasic is showing a lot of promise at a young age and is completely dominating an entire league. Based on his skills, he’s demonstrated that he can be an elite player in the future, maybe even close to world class. This in no way means he will achieve these heights, it’s just what I believe is his ceiling. Realistically, maybe 5 out of these 20 will actually hit the ceiling I gave them. Some maybe higher and most will definitely be lower. I’ll give you a player comparison to each rating so you can kind of understand what I mean.
7/10 means I think they will be a below average to average player in a top 5 league (Petkovic)
7.5/10 is just a top 5 league player (Budimir)
8/10 is a good top 5 league player (prime Lovren)
8.5/10 is a great top 5 league player (Mandzukic, but maybe I’d put him in 9)
9/10 is an elite player (Perisic prime)
9.5/10 is a player that’s one of the best, but not exactly world class (Rakitic could be a 9.5 or 10)
10/10 is a world class player like Modric, Kroos, De Bruyne, etc
Messi and Ronaldo get their own category as Legends (disclaimer: we don’t have anyone obviously that good at the moment so I won’t be using it)
So basically it’s a ceiling for their potential, don’t compare it to match ratings.
ok, I understand…thanks for the explanation.
I see things similarly when it comes to talent, skills, vision…and then there’s the element of putting it all together on the field, in each game, on a consistent basis.
Some guys over achieve even though they don’t necessarily have all the “talent, skills, vision…” and in my opinion its because they rise based on their mental ability to control their decision making, increase their compete level, work through challenging periods…
We’ve discussed players like Halilovic, Coric, Andrija Balic…and we’ve seen tons and tons of reports similair to this that stated they’ll be be superstars. One thing we tend to forget is their ability as people to maintain a professional level of discipline, to keep their eagerness to learn and be humble (VERY IMPORTANT), not lose their way because of a little fame…and then to keep reaching for higher goals and to reach higher level of play.
Something that kinda surprises me…or maybe I just missed it…there’s little to no mention of Roko Simic, a player thats risen very quickly! Could he surpass some of the guys listed and become highly touted because he might have a higher capacity for mental toughness? I watched him play here in Vancouver as a 12 year old. He didn’t have better skills, a better shot or he wasn’t stronger than the average kid here at that age…but once there was a scrimmage or game….his bagged goals in bunches! He was just superior in his intelligence and he demanded the ball all game!
I assume Roko will be included in the “Top Forward Prospects” segment.
Kid’s gotta be one of our top upcoming talents along with Saranic.
100% agree with what you’re saying. Šimić is a great talent, you’ll see me go in depth about him on the top strikers article coming soon. He definitely isn’t talked about enough, I agree.
Let me know if you need a better explanation than that…
Thoughts on Marco Sucic from Dortmund?
Sorry my brain did a stupid. I meant Marco PASALIC from Dortmund lol
He was never high on my radar until this season. He’s blowing up right now, very talented player. He will be in my top 15 wingers list coming soon, and I’ll go more in depth about him there.
Cool I just didnt know where he would fit in, I know hes been a winger but could also be utilized as a cam.
Anyone have Sucic highlights from yesterday’s game?
I read the highlight text (which makes things worse) and I want to see his lob attempt.
Great article and i don’t see anyone topping the accolades of Modric. He’s the best midfielder of all time and best player for Croatia. As for the other top youth in our system. Sacic, Vlasic, Basic excite me the most. All are fast players with quick feet. Could see these three as a threat in the midfield
Sucic*
Sucic is the REAL DEAL!!
Truth you don’t know 💩
Once again, well done! I can’t wait to see a few of these guys in and around the national team in the next few years. I’m confident that at least a few of these guys will pan out and we will continue to have a top, top midfield to try to fill Modric’s shoes.
By the way, Grbic is loaned to Lille where he will be a starter… great news!
I’m satisfied he’s on loan…don’t think he would get a chance to start for Atletico while Oblak is still in good shape. Playing in the French league will be good for him. Bradaric and Gregor Gulišija play there too and both are young studs with potential. No clue who the starting goalkeeper is but they topped the league last season.
Their starter was bought by AC Milan, so they don’t really have a keeper at the moment. Grbic will be the number 1 for sure.
Perfect timing.
Not sure if Livakovic is the right keeper to move forward with.
If Grbic puts in a good season, and Livakovic can’t even get himself out of the HNL this season…it will give our future coaching staff (after Dalic is fired at the World Cup) justification to make a goalkeeper switch and try Grbic out.
For my money Livaković is the best keeper that Croatia has had since Ladić, and there have been a few. Grbić needs to go on loan or have a breakthru to become the fist GK for athletico before we can even consider putting his name forward.
It’s not that Livaković can’t get himself out of the HNL, it’s that Dinamo didn’t want to sell him as they don’t have the right replacement for him.
Sorry guys, I just read that he is on loan to Lille, doesn’ change much about my comment though, he still needs to get him self noticed but I am curious as to how he will perform.
It’s hard to say how’s he’s preformed. Never caught a glimpse of him while at Atletico. Just hoping he’s better than Liva & past goalies