Marcelo Brozovic

[Dinpomp]

'Corriere dello Sport' claim that Tottenham are one of the clubs who have been scouting Inter's Marcelo Brozovic over the last few matches.

Haven't seen an in depth Brozovic comp yet (I know someone who's working on it), but here's one to give you an idea:




It's a "will he, won't he" leave Inter this January. Reports constantly changing. Inter, including Mancini, claim he's not for sale, but rumours persist that with the right offer they may be willing to "sacrifice" him in order to balance their budget (financial fair play).

 

[Dinpomp]

Haven't seen an in depth Brozovic comp yet (I know someone who's working on it)

As advertised:

 

[Spursidol]

As advertised:

As far as I can judge he's an AM, but not overly prolific in terms of goalscoring (despite some beauts in the vid) with 4 goals in 29 appearances for Inter over a season of games.

Any idea why Inter want to move him on - he only signed in January

We've got a few AM's now (Eriksen, Chadli, Lamela, Pritchard, Dembele, Son, Clinton) , - who would he replace ? (assuming Townsend move on in January and is not replaced).

 

[Dinpomp]

As far as I can judge he's an AM, but not overly prolific in terms of goalscoring (despite some beauts in the vid) with 4 goals in 29 appearances for Inter over a season of games.

Any idea why Inter want to move him on - he only signed in January

We've got a few AM's now (Eriksen, Chadli, Lamela, Pritchard, Dembele, Son, Clinton) , - who would he replace ? (assuming Townsend move on in January and is not replaced).

Not an AM. Central midfielder, mostly classified as a DM (but not in the classic sense). Another Croatian "link-up" player. His best attribute is his ability to dictate play, control the tempo. Those goals are a bonus (but becoming more frequent). He's a tireless runner who covers every blade of grass. He can provide a one-man press. So it's best not to consider him as a tactically "sit at home" midfielder. He's all over the place, but in a good way. Best when he starts from deep, gets the ball and moves it forward (then he joins in the attack, makes good runs).

He has played as an AM at times, but it is not where he's at his best. He's box-to-box. The more he is on the ball, the better. Speeds up play. Good at playing the ball into space, where teammates can attack.

I will not compare Brozovic to Modric, but one attribute they share is the ability to get the ball in tight spaces and work out of them. They demand it. They work hard offensively (off the ball movement), to get into positions where they can receive a pass. And they never shy away from it. It took Modric and his teammates (at Tottenham and Real) time to adapt to one another. Time for his teammates to trust him in those areas. Once they did, his quality stood out. Brozovic is the same. He'll have 3 guys on his back and he'll still want the ball, then be visibly disappointed if you didn't pass it to him. It's a very (often) underrated trait. Not players who stand there and point where the ball should go, but (work hard to) get into positions and demand it. And then make use of it.

I don't think Inter "want" to sell, but they might look at it as good business. The term the Italian media keep using is "sacrifice." They need to keep within the FFP. He's apparently a player who is gathering the most interest from clubs and they could quickly double their money. I still don't think it would be wise on their part, regardless of the initial financial gain. Young (just turned 23) midfielders who can control tempo aren't always the easiest to find. Mancini rotates a lot (too much IMO), but I can't help but make the claim that Inter play better when Brozovic is on the pitch. The play is quicker, more crisp. It was like that when he was at Dinamo Zagreb as well. His absence was always noticed in how slower the play looked when he wasn't in the game.

Brozovic is not the best, but he is good. He's a great complimentary player (who can also be a match winner, shown in those terrific strikes). He's a modern midfielder who works very hard, plays quick, has a good shot, and can play with both feet. Again, his main attribute is his ability to link-up play.

 

[longtimespur]

Anyone who can improve our rate of movement of the ball would be welcomed by me.

 

[Sweech]

I've seen a lot of teams getting linked to him. Trying to drum up interest to make a big sale?

Unfortunately his spot is one we seem to have a lot of players in as the partner to the more defensive midfielder (Dier).

 

[Spursidol]

Not an AM. Central midfielder, mostly classified as a DM (but not in the classic sense). Another Croatian "link-up" player. His best attribute is his ability to dictate play, control the tempo. Those goals are a bonus (but becoming more frequent). He's a tireless runner who covers every blade of grass. He can provide a one-man press. So it's best not to consider him as a tactically "sit at home" midfielder. He's all over the place, but in a good way. Best when he starts from deep, gets the ball and moves it forward (then he joins in the attack, makes good runs).

He has played as an AM at times, but it is not where he's at his best. He's box-to-box. The more he is on the ball, the better. Speeds up play. Good at playing the ball into space, where teammates can attack.

I will not compare Brozovic to Modric, but one attribute they share is the ability to get the ball in tight spaces and work out of them. They demand it. They work hard offensively (off the ball movement), to get into positions where they can receive a pass. And they never shy away from it. It took Modric and his teammates (at Tottenham and Real) time to adapt to one another. Time for his teammates to trust him in those areas. Once they did, his quality stood out. Brozovic is the same. He'll have 3 guys on his back and he'll still want the ball, then be visibly disappointed if you didn't pass it to him. It's a very (often) underrated trait. Not players who stand there and point where the ball should go, but (work hard to) get into positions and demand it. And then make use of it.

I don't think Inter "want" to sell, but they might look at it as good business. The term the Italian media keep using is "sacrifice." They need to keep within the FFP. He's apparently a player who is gathering the most interest from clubs and they could quickly double their money. I still don't think it would be wise on their part, regardless of the initial financial gain. Young (just turned 23) midfielders who can control tempo aren't always the easiest to find. Mancini rotates a lot (too much IMO), but I can't help but make the claim that Inter play better when Brozovic is on the pitch. The play is quicker, more crisp. It was like that when he was at Dinamo Zagreb as well. His absence was always noticed in how slower the play looked when he wasn't in the game.

Brozovic is not the best, but he is good. He's a great complimentary player (who can also be a match winner, shown in those terrific strikes). He's a modern midfielder who works very hard, plays quick, has a good shot, and can play with both feet. Again, his main attribute is his ability to link-up play.

Thanks for that detailed write up, really appreciate it.

Curiously I had in the back of my mind he was a cm, but the video esp goals made me think I'd got it all wrong.

I think if we hadn't bought Alli we might be tempted, but not so sure now unless we had plans to move someone like say Bentaleb on, as we are pretty stacked at CM with Dier, Alli, Mason, Bentaleb, Dembele (CM/AM) with Onomah coming through and Winks/others hovering just behind....Carroll of course if he stays.

More likely I think for Poch to wait for the summer to decide where he wants to upgrade any of the current squad

 

[not_tenth-again]

Not an AM. Central midfielder, mostly classified as a DM (but not in the classic sense). Another Croatian "link-up" player. His best attribute is his ability to dictate play, control the tempo. Those goals are a bonus (but becoming more frequent). He's a tireless runner who covers every blade of grass. He can provide a one-man press. So it's best not to consider him as a tactically "sit at home" midfielder. He's all over the place, but in a good way. Best when he starts from deep, gets the ball and moves it forward (then he joins in the attack, makes good runs).

He has played as an AM at times, but it is not where he's at his best. He's box-to-box. The more he is on the ball, the better. Speeds up play. Good at playing the ball into space, where teammates can attack.

I will not compare Brozovic to Modric, but one attribute they share is the ability to get the ball in tight spaces and work out of them. They demand it. They work hard offensively (off the ball movement), to get into positions where they can receive a pass. And they never shy away from it. It took Modric and his teammates (at Tottenham and Real) time to adapt to one another. Time for his teammates to trust him in those areas. Once they did, his quality stood out. Brozovic is the same. He'll have 3 guys on his back and he'll still want the ball, then be visibly disappointed if you didn't pass it to him. It's a very (often) underrated trait. Not players who stand there and point where the ball should go, but (work hard to) get into positions and demand it. And then make use of it.

I don't think Inter "want" to sell, but they might look at it as good business. The term the Italian media keep using is "sacrifice." They need to keep within the FFP. He's apparently a player who is gathering the most interest from clubs and they could quickly double their money. I still don't think it would be wise on their part, regardless of the initial financial gain. Young (just turned 23) midfielders who can control tempo aren't always the easiest to find. Mancini rotates a lot (too much IMO), but I can't help but make the claim that Inter play better when Brozovic is on the pitch. The play is quicker, more crisp. It was like that when he was at Dinamo Zagreb as well. His absence was always noticed in how slower the play looked when he wasn't in the game.

Brozovic is not the best, but he is good. He's a great complimentary player (who can also be a match winner, shown in those terrific strikes). He's a modern midfielder who works very hard, plays quick, has a good shot, and can play with both feet. Again, his main attribute is his ability to link-up play.

Thanks for the cracking write up.

One question though, would you see him as defensive enough to play DM in the EPL. I have a feeling we are trying to build the depth that would allow Dier to shift into defense if injuries occur.

 

[Dinpomp]

Thanks for the cracking write up.

One question though, would you see him as defensive enough to play DM in the EPL. I have a feeling we are trying to build the depth that would allow Dier to shift into defense if injuries occur.

Sorry, missed this earlier.

Brozovic is not a DM. If you meant for him to be a "true DM", he would shift out of position too much. But that's his strength. To be all over the pitch. He's a not a "cover guy" to protect someone's back. He's the player to help dictate play, be involved in the build-up and follow it across the pitch. At least if you want him to be his most effective. He can play deep, and it's probably where he's best suited (at least to start off), but not as a traditional ball-winning DM (although he will win his fare share, as he's quite good at intercepting balls and is a willing tackler).

He's good as one of the back 2 in a 4-2-3-1. He's played that often. With and without a true DM next to him. Probably best with a more defense-minded mid next to him, to allow him more freedom, but with Croatia he has often played without a true DM in the side (next to Modric, Rakitic, Kovacic, etc.). But he can basically play midfield in any formation. For Inter, Mancini has even played him out wide in a 4-4-2 (or similar variation). For me that's a waste of his talents/strengths, but he's done well there too (against Juventus this season, for example).

Here's a new and better (more detailed) highlight video of his. It's quite good at showcasing his control in close areas and his willingness to move after a pass. Again, one of his strengths. Doesn't admire his passes, immediately moves on to get into a better position for either a return pass or to join the attack.



You'll also see some very good through balls in that video too. An underrated aspect of his game.

 

[fatpiranha]

Hmmm ... Spurs 1-0 up with half an hour to go. Brozovic and Dembele head towards the corner flag and play keep ball .

 

[Spursmad321]

Thanks for the video clip, he looks like he has a great passing range!

 

[handinho]

Croatian news site reports that he spent a couple of days in prison after being arrested for drunken driving, running several red lights and driving without his driver's licence. The police took his licence a couple of months ago after he committed similar offences.

http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/br...e-prosao-kroz-dva-crvena-svjetla-/866186.aspx

 

[longtimespur]

Croatian news site reports that he spent a couple of days in prison after being arrested for drunken driving, running several red lights and driving without his driver's licence. The police took his licence a couple of months ago after he committed similar offences.

http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/br...e-prosao-kroz-dva-crvena-svjetla-/866186.aspx

Berahino and he must sign for us two of a kind

 

[GobbyJJ]

Sorry, missed this earlier.

Brozovic is not a DM. If you meant for him to be a "true DM", he would shift out of position too much. But that's his strength. To be all over the pitch. He's a not a "cover guy" to protect someone's back. He's the player to help dictate play, be involved in the build-up and follow it across the pitch. At least if you want him to be his most effective. He can play deep, and it's probably where he's best suited (at least to start off), but not as a traditional ball-winning DM (although he will win his fare share, as he's quite good at intercepting balls and is a willing tackler).

He's good as one of the back 2 in a 4-2-3-1. He's played that often. With and without a true DM next to him. Probably best with a more defense-minded mid next to him, to allow him more freedom, but with Croatia he has often played without a true DM in the side (next to Modric, Rakitic, Kovacic, etc.). But he can basically play midfield in any formation. For Inter, Mancini has even played him out wide in a 4-4-2 (or similar variation). For me that's a waste of his talents/strengths, but he's done well there too (against Juventus this season, for example).

Here's a new and better (more detailed) highlight video of his. It's quite good at showcasing his control in close areas and his willingness to move after a pass. Again, one of his strengths. Doesn't admire his passes, immediately moves on to get into a better position for either a return pass or to join the attack.



You'll also see some very good through balls in that video too. An underrated aspect of his game.

Cracking write up Dinpomp! Really excited if we were after this guy, sadly I don't believe we are.

Think he would provide that link up player/passer who can't be bullied off the ball we've missed since Modric. Love Dembele but due to his passing don't think he is that player. Sure the idea is we can use Carrol in that role but unfortunately I don't believe he has the steel or ultimately the quality.