Football Wonderkid Scout
Football Wonderkids
Croatian Starlets In Demand
Not since Croatia reached the World Cup semi-final in 1998 with the likes of the legendary Davor Suker and Zvonimir Boban, have the country enjoyed such a golden generation of young talent coming through the academy system. Only this week, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is believed to have tabled a £17 million bid for two of Croatia's most promising players in a raid on Dinamo Zagreb for Mateo Kovacic and Sime Vrsalko. Kovacic is an attacking midfielder and at just 16 years of age, has already been compared to Lionel Messi. The youngest player ever to score in the HNL, Kovacic has been linked regularly linked to some of Europe's biggest teams. In the U-17 games for Croatia he has largely caught the eye with impressive passing and vision, similar to that of Cesc Fabregas. Many believe he is the most naturally talented player from Croatia since Robert Prosinecki.
Sime Vrsalko is already a regular in the Dinamo first team and club president Zdravko Mamic has revealed they have already turned down bids from Manchester City, Spurs, Everton and Man Utd for the talented 18 year-old full-back. Many believe he will overtake Luka Modric in becoming the darling of Croatian football and it appears only a matter of time before he makes his big money move. After catching the eye, Slaven Bilic is being urged to include him in the senior squad after impressing at Under-21 level. Vrsaljko is said to be rated at around £10
Dinamo Wonderkid Sime Vrsalko
million and the North London club will be hoping to take full advantage of the clubs good relationship after taking Eduardo to the Emirates in 2007.
Another player in the headlines recently is 16 year-old midfielder Dino Spehar who has been linked with amove to Manchester United. The talented youngster recently became the youngest player to appear in the Croatian Premier League when he made his debut recently for Osijek in front of United scouts, who had been monitoring Dinamo Zagreb's defender Sime Vrsjalko. The teenager recently netted three goals in two matches for the U-17s and this didn't go unnoticed in Germany. Spehar’s performances for Croatia U17s have alerted German champions Bayern who have already contacted the players’ representatives. The Bavarian outfit also appear keen on Dinamo's Mateo Kovacic. Current Croatia Under-21 star Milan Badelj is also attracting interest from the vultures of European football. The midfield playmaker has impressed ever since filling the void left by Luka Modric's depature. Know for his vision and excellent range of passing, Dinamo's Milan Badelj has been linked with a move to Manchester United, Tottenham, Inter Milan and Lyon. Badelj has won two caps in the senior national side to date and looks for a bright and successful career on the world stage.
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