Written by dinamofan:), former CSR HNL correspondent
“THE LOST POST”
As the winter transfer window approaches (Jan 1st-Feb 2nd) for European clubs, management and coaches across the continent will try to tinker with roster spots attempting to bring in those one or two players that can become the missing piece to the puzzle of an eventual strong finish to the current season. Let’s take a look at what Croatians are currently on the Hot Stove for a transfer in the upcoming month.
1. IVAN RAKITIC (SCHALKE)
Ivan Rakitić’s position at Schalke has been a regular topic for discussion during CSR’s ‘Croatians Around Europe’ feature. Only weeks ago, Rakitić’s stats this season were only one goal in seven Bundesliga matches, having made just four starts. During this stint, he was subbed at half time on three occasions. However, the last month has been better for Rakitić as he reported that his relationship with Felix Magath is improving. Rakitić has undeniable talent at age 21 and still has a big career ahead of him. Rakitić has already made 24 appearences for Croatia scoring a respectable seven times. Rakitić has regularly been linked with a move away from Schalke, but it is unlikely we will see Rakitić turning out for the previously mentioned Inter, Juventus or Arsenal in the new year. A midtable Serie A club looks very possible though with Palermo and Everton also rumored to be very keen on him. Don’t count out Rakitić staying with Schalke until at least the end of this season. Possibility: 20%
2. JERKO LEKO (MONACO)
Jerko Leko’s status within Monaco has been so bad that he may be calling on the help of old friends this winter to achieve a transfer. The 29 year old is no longer trusted by Monaco’s Guy Lacombe and has now been dumped from the national team by Slaven Bilić. Having spurned good offers in the summer from English Premiership clubs Stoke City, Wolverhampton and Portsmouth, Leko’s hope of a transfer now appears to rest either in Germany, Austria or via a move to the Russian Premier League. However, as the player has no serious football since last season, his fitness levels may be brought into question. A rumor linking Leko with Chelsea was reported on Eurosport, but it appears this came as a consequence of a recommendation which Chelsea are unlikely to act upon. Possibility: 100%
3. DARIJO SRNA (SHAKHTAR DONETSK)
Darijo Srna continues to be linked with every western European powerhouse on the map, but once again it remains only speculation as to where or if he will transfer at all. Srna still seems more than satisfied with his status as captain of Shakhtar, which solidifies his position in the Croatian national team in the face of competition from Ivan Rakitić and Drago Gabrić. His very high transfer value is believed to be in the region of 15-18 million Euro while already putting off numerous big clubs earlier in the year. Chelsea is the latest to be linked as the English Premier League side consider replacements for the currently injured Jose Bosingwa allowing Branislav Ivanović to be used as a utility defender. Possibility: 20%
4. LUKA MODRIĆ (TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR)
The form of Niko Kranjčar for Tottenham gives rise to the possibility that Harry Redknapp might consider a major substantial offer made for Luka Modrić. Rumors of Manchester United and Inter Milan moving for the player circulated in the summer and would seem unlikely Spurs would reject a Champions League club. Redknapp has also been told he needed to raise funds if he is to bring in any new player, but would prefer to offload the likes of Alan Hutton, Roman Pavyulchenko, Gareth Bale, Giovanni Dos Santos and David Bentley before mulling over any transfer of Modrić or Jermaine Jenas. Modrić’s brief for 2010 may be to dislodge Tom Huddlestone from the center of the Spurs midfield in order to break back into the side should Kranjčar continue to shine. Possibility: 10%
5. IGOR BUDAN (PALERMO)
Although Igor Budan describes his relationship in Palermo as excellent, the striker may be tempted to switch clubs in the winter with many lower level Serie A sides very interested in offering the player regular first team football. Budan has appeared 15 times scoring five goals for Palermo, but has started only four games. It is believed Palermo would now like to step up to the next level to become a competitive top flight side in Serie A and may be willing to part with their 30 year old striker. Bari wanted the player in the summer, but Livorno are now also believed to be tracking Igor. Budan is not under great pressure to transfer in order to secure his national team place, so it is possible that Budan may stay with his small time role until the summer. Possibility: 20%
6. STIPE PLETIKOSA (SPARTAK MOSCOW)
The plight Croatia’s undisputed first choice keeper has been startling. Capped 79 times, Pletikosa had appeared as the unrivaled starter for Spartak Moscow at the beginning of the season after an impressive Euro 2008 campaign for Croatia’s national side. However, a few average games later in Russia and an unsteady showing in Croatia’s 4-1 loss to England was all that it took for Pletikosa to find himself out in the cold going three months without any competitive football. In response Pletikosa attempted a last ditch effort to transfer before the summer deadline, but suffered ligament damage in training with Spartak blowing any possibility of being moved. Having missed the remainder of 2009, Pletikosa will have to wait to make another bid for a new club in July. Spartak Moscow justified their decision to give Soslan Dzhaneyev the gloves as they finished runners up in the Russian Premier League. It is unlikely coach Valeri Karpin will change his mind. Croatia coach Slaven Bilić on the other hand is willing to offer Pletikosa a way back should he find a new team in 2010. Possibility: 30%
7. NIKICA JELAVIĆ (RAPID VIENNA)
A winter transfer would be fitting with Nikica Jelavić’s astronomical rise. Since Rapid took a gamble on signing the 23 year old striker from Zaregem after scoring just seven goals during last season’s campaign, Jelavić has never looked back. Jelavić has gone on to nestle the ball 19 times into the back of opponents nets between the months of July and December, leaving Rapid Vienna with a dilemma. With the player’s value having rocketed since they bought him for a measely couple of hundred thousand, Rapid may consider a sale. Jelavić’s form has been so good that his status in the Croatian national team would also have improved even rivalling a revitalized Ivan Klasnić and a tried and trusted Eduardo for a shirt. Possibility: 50%
8. JURICA VRANJEŠ (WERDER BREMEN)
Jurica Vranješ’ status compares to Jerko Leko’s in that he is out of the plans of the first team at Bremen. However, as Vranješ plays with a much stronger side in Bremen, he is more likely to attract a move. Vranješ in fact was said to be furious that he could not get out of Bremen before the transfer window and exchanged words with coach Thomas Schaff in a heated discussion. It is likely that Vranješ and his agent would have been getting something ready for this winter. Vranješ would prefer to stay in the Bundesliga possibly with former teammate Zvonimir Soldo at Koln. It is also possible that this could be a new signing for Hajduk Split in the winter. Vranješ is known to be a fan of Hajduk and almost returned to Croatia from Bayer Leverkusen when he was a Croatia international. Possibility: 100%
9. DARIO ŠIMIĆ (MONACO)
It is hard to know the plans of Dario Šimić at age 34. It appears obvious that Šimić would like to retire at the end of the season and expressed hope of playing the next six months with Dinamo Zagreb. Dinamo appear less enthusiastic however, purely due to the fact they have no idea where to fit him in or any real cause to make the signing. Dinamo appear to be more keen to continue with youngsters Ivan Tomečak and Tomislav Barbarić rather than affect their progress through signing Šimić. Dinamo are also carrying another old timer in Robert Kovač on their roster along with Igor Biščan and definite first teamer Dejan Lovren. Šimić himself appears disinterested in a move to any other Croatian club and six months living in Monaco would not be the most galling way to finish his career. If Šimić were to transfer to a smaller French club or even to Greece, it looks like that would be the final straw for Croatia’s only 100-time capped player. Possibility: 60%
10. ANDREJ KERIĆ (SLOVAN LIBEREC)
Disaster would be the only way to describe Andrej Kerić this season. Coming only months after becoming the top scorer in the Czech League with Slovan Liberec during the 2008/09 campaign, the 24 year old has bizarrely played 18 games scoring just 2 goals leaving his hopes of stepping up to the next level in tatters. Kerić, however is at a small club and it may be that the pressure of being relied on to lead the team has took its toll on him. A move to a better side in Croatia or another country may be all that is required to get Kerić firing again. It is hard to believe that a player who scored 21 in 51 games so recently for Slovan could suddenly have gone cold overnight. Possibility: 20%
11. DINO DRPIĆ (KARLSRUHRE)
It appears that football fans will once again be exposed to the shananigans of the Drpić’s this winter. While Drpić plays unsuccessfully with a midtable second division side at Karlsruhre, he is sure to get out at the soonest possible moment. It is very likely that Dino Drpić will make a bid to transfer from his club this winter. the most ideal move for the player would be if a top flight Bundesliga club took him on. Several clubs including HSV, Hertha Berlin and Bordeaux were linked, but nothing materialized. Drpić transferring to Hertha wouldn’t be out the question. It is hardly likely Drpić will be willing to stay in Bundesliga 2 which does little for his hopes of international football. From the perspective of Dinamo looking back, it was a great move to shift Drpić off their books. Possibility: 50%
12. ANTE RUKAVINA (PANATHINAIKOS)
Whether Ante Rukavina transfers or not will depend on the player’s desire for first team football. Despite being at a big club, Rukavina has yet to convince the coaching staff of his ability to start matches. Rukavina played 25 matches for Panathinaikos last season scoring seven goals, but had just eight starts. Despite those numbers, coach Henk Ten Cate plays the one striker he recently signed, Djibril Cissie, rather than turn to Rukavina. It is believed Dmitrios Salpingdis is his second preferred option. For Rukavina it will be interesting to see if he makes a gamble and transfers or plods along with Panathinaikos till the end of the season. So far, Croatia fans have not seen enough of Rukavina at Hajduk or Panathinaikos to understand if he will become a potential national team star or not. It would appear the 23 year old needs to drop down to a smaller club in order to move forward in his career. Possibility: 10%
13. MLADEN BARTULOVIĆ (KRIVBASS)
Mladen Bartulović has been the one beacon of light during a poor season for relegation threatened Ukrainian Premier League side Krivbass. The Croatian international has been on loan from Dnipro for a second time having signed during half of the 2008/09 campaign. Bartulović’s form has been so good in the last few months that he was fielded by Croatia coach Slaven Bilić in the country’s most recent friendly with Liechtenstein. The wideman has scored a sparkling eight goals in 17 matches and made 5 assists. Now back at Dnipro he is desperate for a transfer during the winter break to a stronger club. At 23 Bartulovic still has time to realize the potential he showed at Hajduk Split which earned his transfer to Dnipro in 2006. It is not certain why he was allowed to go on loan considering his current form, but it appears best for the player to transfer into another country. It is not expected that Bartulović would return to Croatia. However, he would make a more than worthwhile signing for either Dinamo or Hajduk, who could both afford the compensation Dnipro would be asking, which is believed to be in the region of 1 million Euro. Possibility: 30%
14. DANIJEL CESAREC (ASTERAS TRIPOLIS)
Having scored his ninth goal of the season in just 14 appearences, it would be high time to announce the name of Danijel Cesarec to the CSR reader. Cesarec sits top of the Greek league in scoring alongside French hotshot Djibril Cisse. Cesarec is already 26 and may be unfamilar to Croats having left the Balkan state way back in 2002, signing with Sparta Prague from Marsonia. The Czech’s never saw the best of him despite staying long enough to claim nationality as he moved across to Greece with Akratitos. A strong 2004/05 season with them led to switches to Egaeleo and then to Asteras. In 2009 Cesarec has finally found his best form and could be about to finally step up his career to a higher level. With his contract due to expire in the summer, Asteras may be forced to cash in on the striker. It will be interesting to see what 2010 brings for Cesarec who could appear in a Croatia shirt should his form continue in the not too distant future. Possibility: 50%
15. MANUEL PAMIĆ (RED BULL SALZBURG)
After a very successful loan spell in the Czech Republic with Sparta Prague, Manuel Pamić’s one year loan deal has now expired. He returns to Red Bull Salzburg where his status at the moment is unclear. Dinamo Zagreb have already made it clear they admire the player and Pamić was believed to be their primary target in the summer. However Pamić could well have done enough in Sparta to attract a stronger foriegn club or to break into the Red Bull side. It will be interesting to see what happens with Pamić during January. Possibility: 30%
I’D LIKE TO WISH A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS AROUND THE WORLD AND TO ESPECIALLY THANK DINAMOFAN FOR ALL HIS HARD WORK AND INPUT THIS YEAR. HE WILL NO LONGER BE WRITING FOR CSR BUT I’D LIKE TO EXTEND MY UTMOST APPRECIATION FOR STICKING WITH US EVEN WHEN YOU WERE GETTING ATTACKED FROM ALL ANGLES. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU AGAIN SOON!
LOL WOW FINALLY ONE OF THESE GUYS ACTUALLY TRANSFERED.
NUMBER 15.
MANUEL PAMIC JOINS SPARTA PRAGUE PERMANENTLY ON A 2 YEAR DEAL..
WATCHING TUMBLEWEEDS GO BY ON THIS TRANSFER WINDOW
I expect at least 4 of the 15 to find a new club. Cmon Drpic, Leko and Vranjes. Transfer!
Tottenham and Chelsea making offers for Lovren?
http://sportske.jutarnji.hr/index.php?cmd=show_clanak&clanak_id=16634
I disagree regards Cale as he's been injured first part of the season, so that's reason for having less minutes. If Cale went to Schalke and performed this would be a big thing for Croatia as a left back is urgently needed, but if Cale is just gonna sit on Schalke's bench then he's better off where he is.
Well yeah i agree that Mandzo didn't deserve offers. I thought that he needed a good second half to the season to get offers, but it seems not. Maybe this is a indication of the lack of players going around at the moment.. although quite frankly 7m euro's for Mandzo. Would be better of signing someone like Jelavic for less. In my opinion guys who play in lower foriegn divisions like Srdjan Lakic are better than Mandzukic. Mandzo has a lot of problems with his game. He started off well when he was playing right up top, but then he started to come deeper and got worse. Though i don't now why i'd complain cos 7m plus for Mandzo is great money. Mamic is also trying to sell Etto and Vrdoljak.. I think Etto could go for £1m plus to Turkey or Japan or somewhere. Not sure why we really need to sell. Think its making room for youth. Vrdoljak's sale really don't bother me as the guy is very average. If a foriegn club can improve his game i think that's the best thing for this player cos he sure ain't improving much at Dinamo.
the fact that Mandzukic is getting any attention from any clubs is amazing. he has show nothing spectacular this season to get an offer from bremen. a player such as ermin zec deserves intrest like that not Mandzukic. i know they are both at 8 goals for the season but zec shows more skill and heart at an underprivleged team compared to Mandzukic who mainly scores tap ins.
NEW RUMOR:
Schalke 04 interested in Hrvoje Cale (Trabzonspor)- Sounds interesting, he hasn't been getting solid playing time in Turkey this year, whereas Drago Gabric is thriving and is poised for a big move in a few years.
Mandzukic needs to go in January or his season is lost and pointless
very good posting. i liked it. 🙂
bathmate
Rumours
Mandzukic to Bremen..
Vranjes to Nuremburg
both sensible moves i think..
Merry Christmas!!!
Happy Hannukah!!!!
Merry Christmas to all!!
Thanks for post. Merry Xmas to all. Hope 2010 goes well with CSR. Thanks Denis and Ante for the opportunity – I think 2010 will be far better for the national team.