Andrija Balic and Nikola Vlasic (both of Hajduk Split)

Dinpomp · Mar 3, 2015

Andrija Balic today signed a new deal with Hajduk Split valid until June 30, 2018.

http://hajduk.hr/vijest/andrija-bal...-vjernosti-hajduku-do-ljeta-2018--godine/5453

His father once again today confirmed that there was an offer from Tottenham for Balic, but that they (Balic's parents) decided it was too early for him to leave. That there main goal was never money, but for their son to grow as a player.

On a side note, he has played well in his limited time this season and scored his first league goal this past weekend. He has at time been the best player on the pitch and is continuing to show promise. He'll continue to get time as the season goes on and will be interesting to follow his progress.

As with the Halilovic (and Jedvaj) case, you can't blame Spurs. They basically did what they can do.

Armstrong_11 · Mar 3, 2015

Dinpomp said:
His father once again today confirmed that there was an offer from Tottenham for Balic, but that they (Balic's parents) decided it was too early for him to leave. That there main goal was never money, but for their son to get an offer from Barcelona or Real Madrid.

fixed.

iirc... there was one which we had to employ the father? give them lodging and also a decent (ok huge) allowance to live on?

DaSpurs · Mar 3, 2015

Armstrong_11 said:
fixed.

iirc... there was one which we had to employ the father? give them lodging and also a decent (ok huge) allowance to live on?

Don't remember anything about employment of father, but with Halilovic I believe they wanted the club to buy them a house and pay for the education of the younger brother. We stalled, and then bigger clubs became interested. The rest is history.

Dinpomp · Mar 12, 2015

No doubt Spurs (and other clubs) will continue to keep tabs on Balic. He's starting to get some time with Hajduk's first team and is doing quite well. Still only 17-years-old, but looks ready (at least for the Croatian top flight).

His hair, stature, and eye for a pass (very good at picking out players from deep) has some making "little Pirlo" comparisons. I am NOT at all saying "he's the next Pirlo", but until he cuts his hair or stops somewhat resembling his game, you'll inevitably hear that when his name comes up (in the media). Anyway:

Dinpomp · Mar 15, 2015

Any way to get this thread back into the current transfers forum?

New reports linking Tottenham with Balic AND Vlasic once again.

Hajduk played Dinamo in the Croatian derby yesterday (1-1) and Balic scored yet again. Probably the best player on the pitch. Many scouts in attendance (for Balic and Vlasic from Hajduk, but also Coric and Pjaca from Dinamo). Reports that Spurs are back in for both Balic and Vlasic.

THFCSPURS19 · Mar 15, 2015

Dinpomp said:
Any way to get this thread back into the current transfers forum?

@chrissivad ?

DaSpurs · Mar 15, 2015

Love what I see from that Balic vid. That's the kind of CM we're very much lacking: unafraid of a tackle, dribbling ability, low center of gravity for additional agility, will to drive forward, ability to get himself in behind, ingenuity, and passing precision.

MetalFace D · Mar 15, 2015

DaSpurs said:
Love what I see from that Balic vid. That's the kind of CM we're very much lacking: unafraid of a tackle, dribbling ability, low center of gravity for additional agility, will to drive forward, ability to get himself in behind, ingenuity, and passing precision.

Is he of the Modric mould?

DaSpurs · Mar 15, 2015

MetalFace D said:
Is he of the Modric mould?

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't watching this kid's mop flop about while running with Croatian flags in the background and got a bit nostalgic. I was, and am, a massive fan of Modric and his style. This kid isn't quite as tight with his touches, but he's mobile and aggressive (like Modric), and that's my kind of central midfielder.

MetalFace D · Mar 16, 2015

DaSpurs said:
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't watching this kid's mop flop about while running with Croatian flags in the background and got a bit nostalgic. I was, and am, a massive fan of Modric and his style. This kid isn't quite as tight with his touches, but he's mobile and aggressive (like Modric), and that's my kind of central midfielder.

I do like Croatians. I really wanted us grab Halilovic as i love the way he plays, back when he was available but who can turn down Barca?

DaSpurs · Mar 16, 2015

MetalFace D said:
I do like Croatians. I really wanted us grab Halilovic as i love the way he plays, back when he was available but who can turn down Barca?

I'm not sure how much credibility you want to lend it, but at the time we were told that he and his family placed some hefty demands on us that Levy was unwilling to afford. Not only was there the substantial fee for a very young player, but the father wanted a house and education for another brother paid for as well. Time went on, and Barca came in. Of course, to Barca, those demands are met without second thought.

But I agree, I like Croatian players a lot. They seem resilient and capable of performing in any league, and I love their technical style. It's extremely efficient without all the flair, and the beauty lies in its whole rather than individual moves and flicks.

MetalFace D · Mar 16, 2015

DaSpurs said:
I'm not sure how much credibility you want to lend it, but at the time we were told that he and his family placed some hefty demands on us that Levy was unwilling to afford. Not only was there the substantial fee for a very young player, but the father wanted a house and education for another brother paid for as well. Time went on, and Barca came in. Of course, to Barca, those demands are met without second thought.

But I agree, I like Croatian players a lot. They seem resilient and capable of performing in any league, and I love their technical style. It's extremely efficient without all the flair, and the beauty lies in its whole rather than individual moves and flicks.

Ahh thats a shame, but completely reasonable. I just hope he gets a chance to prove his worth at Barca, because im sure he would here.

raymundo-iow · Mar 16, 2015

The Croatian player I believe we should be after is mateo kovacic. Watched his career from the early days when we were linked and is a proper midfielder in the modric mould "cliche i know". Deep lying playmaker that has the skill and desire to run and commit players as well as tenacity to get stuck in. Fits in with the itk about young players and has already played 70 games for inter. If the rumours of them wanting Paulinho were true perhaps we could use as bargaining tool.

Dinpomp · Mar 16, 2015

Dinpomp said:
Any way to get this thread back into the current transfers forum?

New reports linking Tottenham with Balic AND Vlasic once again.

Hajduk played Dinamo in the Croatian derby yesterday (1-1) and Balic scored yet again. Probably the best player on the pitch. Many scouts in attendance (for Balic and Vlasic from Hajduk, but also Coric and Pjaca from Dinamo). Reports that Spurs are back in for both Balic and Vlasic.

All 4 are talented and have different attributes. Here's a comp of them from Saturday's match:

There's now a debate going on who is the better prospect. For me, again, they have different strengths. Balic is getting the plaudits for his play of late. He's finally been given the chance in the first team and he's immediately made a big impact:

4 games. 256 minutes (64 per game average). 5 goals. 51 minutes per goal. 1 assist. Hajduk has won 2, drawn 2 in that stretch. He's scored 5 of Hajduk's 7 goals in that stretch. But scoring goals isn't even his strength.

So he's obviously gaining a lot of attention. But don't count the others out either. I know it sounds like over-hyping the Croatian players/talents, but it just happen that there's a lot to choose from at this current time. A plethora of (top) talents. How they will develop is anybody's guess. But there are a few that can be considered almost "can't miss" players. The scouts aren't immune to this either. A lot of teams keeping a very close eye. Spurs being one of them.

Sweech · Mar 16, 2015

Dinpomp said:
All 4 are talented and have different attributes. Here's a comp of them from Saturday's match:

There's now a debate going on who is the better prospect. For me, again, they have different strengths. Balic is getting the plaudits for his play of late. He's finally been given the chance in the first team and he's immediately made a big impact:

4 games. 256 minutes (64 per game average). 5 goals. 51 minutes per goal. 1 assist. Hajduk has won 2, drawn 2 in that stretch. He's scored 5 of Hajduk's 7 goals in that stretch. But scoring goals isn't even his strength.

So he's obviously gaining a lot of attention. But don't count the others out either. I know it sounds like over-hyping the Croatian players/talents, but it just happen that there's a lot to choose from at this current time. A plethora of (top) talents. How they will develop is anybody's guess. But there are a few that can be considered almost "can't miss" players. The scouts aren't immune to this either. A lot of teams keeping a very close eye. Spurs being one of them.

From what I know we're not linked to them but what's the scoop on these Pjaca and Coric kids?

I really like the sounds of this Balic kid. Do you think he or his parents would consider moving this summer?

This is one of those cases where I think the heavy press we've received about our youth development could really help to convince this type of player to join.

bceej · Mar 16, 2015

Sweech said:
From what I know we're not linked to them but what's the scoop on these Pjaca and Coric kids?

I remember Coric playing well against England U21s in the Euro qualifier. A bit of David Silva in him. Remember a first time shot from outside the area which was one of his first touches and it went narrowly over the bar. Apparently Bayern are in for him...

Dinpomp · Mar 16, 2015

Sweech said:
From what I know we're not linked to them but what's the scoop on these Pjaca and Coric kids?

I really like the sounds of this Balic kid. Do you think he or his parents would consider moving this summer?

This is one of those cases where I think the heavy press we've received about our youth development could really help to convince this type of player to join.

I mentioned Coric a few times on here as someone to look out for and the most recent time was:

http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/ind...ricr-for-club-record-£9m.113872/#post-4336071

There was talk ^^^ Spurs showing "an increased interest" back in late 2014. As for the media, the recent links have been with Everton, Bayern and Manchester United.

Coric, for me, is one of those almost "sure things." He has so many qualities that are on the "+" level, particularly for his age. He just needs time, mainly for physical development. The way he sees/reads the game is already at a mature level.

I don't remember seeing Pjaca being linked with Spurs before. This January Di Marzio stated that Bologna offered 8m euros (+ bonuses) for him, but that they had to wait until the summer. Other clubs still said to be in the mix. He was inconsistent at the beginning of the season, had some injuries, but his form picked up near the end (before the winter break). He had this breakout game vs. Celtic in the Europa League:

He's very good at getting the ball facing defenders and running at them. Good at opening space for himself in tight quarters. He primarily plays on the wing, but he's also been an attacking midfielder and second striker. On Saturday, due to injuries, he actually played up front in Dinamo's 4-2-3-1. I eventually see him playing more in the middle, probably more a second striker or attacking mid. The reason is that he's also good at link-up play and is decent in the air. Due to his dribbling prowess he's used on the wing, but having him more involved in the build-up would be beneficial. He's also quite strong. Comes from an athletic background (his father a former wrestling champion, his mother a Judo champion). He's got a good center of gravity. That's another reason I eventually see him playing centrally. Can hold the ball up well. He's 19, where Coric (and Balic and Vlasic) are still only 17. I wouldn't classify him as "can't miss", but he's still an intriguing prospect. His physical tools are still to be defined and that's an element to his game that might/will separate him from (at least some) others.

Dinpomp · Mar 16, 2015

MetalFace D said:
Is he of the Modric mould?

Balic has some of Modric's game in his. He's another of those "link-up" midfielders. And you can give him the ball in tight-spaces, and he's got the cool head and technical ability to get out of them. But one of his strengths is the ability to spot and deliver the over-the-top long ball from deep (which again draws those Pirlo comparisons). I noticed an example of that here (from Saturday):

It didn't come off ^^^ (starts at 2:45 in the clip), but it gives you an example of his vision. And in other matches he's demonstrated that as well.

Hajduk's manager has played him further forward than he'll probably play in the future. He's playing him behind the striker and that's also contributed to him getting those goals. But eventually he'll be a player to build up play from deep. Even the manager said that his natural position is a little deeper, but that he's using him further up now because he has shown the ability to be a difference maker (in the absence of other ones in the team). He has a lot of what it takes to become a very very good central midfielder/deep-lying playmaker.

Flobadob · Mar 16, 2015

Dinpomp said:
I mentioned Coric a few times on here as someone to look out for and the most recent time was:

http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/index.php?threads/leicester-sign-andrej-kramaricr-for-club-record-£9m.113872/#post-4336071

There was talk ^^^ Spurs showing "an increased interest" back in late 2014. As for the media, the recent links have been with Everton, Bayern and Manchester United.

Coric, for me, is one of those almost "sure things." He has so many qualities that are on the "+" level, particularly for his age. He just needs time, mainly for physical development. The way he sees/reads the game is already at a mature level.

I don't remember seeing Pjaca being linked with Spurs before. This January Di Marzio stated that Bologna offered 8m euros (+ bonuses) for him, but that they had to wait until the summer. Other clubs still said to be in the mix. He was inconsistent at the beginning of the season, had some injuries, but his form picked up near the end (before the winter break). He had this breakout game vs. Celtic in the Europa League:

He's very good at getting the ball facing defenders and running at them. Good at opening space for himself in tight quarters. He primarily plays on the wing, but he's also been an attacking midfielder and second striker. On Saturday, due to injuries, he actually played up front in Dinamo's 4-2-3-1. I eventually see him playing more in the middle, probably more a second striker or attacking mid. The reason is that he's also good at link-up play and is decent in the air. Due to his dribbling prowess he's used on the wing, but having him more involved in the build-up would be beneficial. He's also quite strong. Comes from an athletic background (his father a former wrestling champion, his mother a Judo champion). He's got a good center of gravity. That's another reason I eventually see him playing centrally. Can hold the ball up well. He's 19, where Coric (and Balic and Vlasic) are still only 17. I wouldn't classify him as "can't miss", but he's still an intriguing prospect. His physical tools are still to be defined and that's an element to his game that might/will separate him from (at least some) others.

From that video the lad Pjaca reminds me of Ross Barkley, but with better decision making, although it is at a lower level so it's hard to tell. Looks very talented though, for sure

not_tenth-again · Mar 16, 2015

Very intetesting vid. Balic looked the stand out talent IMO. Only injuries will stop that kid making it. Would love to see him in Lillywhite.

Imagine a set of midfielders that included Bentaleb, Alli, Onomah and Balic in a couple of years time. Throw in Veljkovic and you're sorted for a decade.

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