Milan Badelj

[nferno]

Anyone know much about this character? Read an article in the daily mail site sayin that he's stepped up to replace Modric for Dinamo Zagreb (allbeit 2 years after his departure). Apprently Manure linked with him. Also been dubbed the "the new Modric" as a result of this. Think i read on here b4 that he was one of Croatia's finest prospects? so any info appreciated, thanks.


NOTE: link for article is http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...am-star-Luka-Modrics-boots-Dinamo-Zagreb.html

 

[Dinpomp]

He's not "the next Modric", but he very much resembles Zvonimir Boban.

The constant needless comparisons in football are annoying, but I will say that Badelj is as close to a player that resembles Boban that I have seen in a while.

I'm not comparing the players through-and-through (yet), but his game resembles that of Boban's. In that I mean how he plays the game, what he looks like when he receives a pass, goes by a player or makes a pass.

If I had one word to describe him it might be: Elegant. He's very Boban-esque in that respect.

Players get compared to other players simply because they play the same position, came through the same club, or share the same nationality.

But Badelj actually plays a lot like Boban. That doesn't mean he'll be as good as Boban, but again, he reminds me of him.

Badelj isn't the finished product yet but he's been improving each year, working on his weaknesses (stamina, tackling, work-rate). He's been a standout in every category he's been playing in (through the youth ranks).

But he has such a great football brain (they don't always come off but you can see what he's thinking) and plays the game in such an elegant almost casual way (a la Boban).

He's primarily been played as a "second defensive midfielder" in Dinamo's 4-2-3-1 or as a central midfielder in a 4-4-2.

Even though he's being played in a more reserved position than would be ideal for him, he has a good goal scoring record (8 goals in 17 league games this season).

This goal was quite "Boban-esque" in how he received the ball and even in the way he hit it:

[yt]<object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ih7deU0RaZI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ih7deU0RaZI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object>[/yt]

Two good strikes from outside the box (the first 2 goals):

[yt]<object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qwohnoRBn_s&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qwohnoRBn_s&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object>[/yt]

Some other goals from this season:

[yt]<object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QDDHUamUJ78&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QDDHUamUJ78&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object>[/yt]


He's very good at getting defenders on the wrong foot. Similar to Modric in that sense, but still in a different way. He's not as "busy" as Modric, but has a better shot and is better in the air. I don't know if he'll ever reach Modric's level and it's a really poor comparison to make. They are not the same (type of) player. But he's a very interesting player who plays the game in an old fashioned way (meant as a compliment).

 

[talkshowhost86]

Not to discredit the first goal entirely but that was some top quality marking from the Rijeka defenders.

 

[Dinpomp]

No doubt, but the point was about the Boban resemblance.

 

[talkshowhost86]

No doubt, but the point was about the Boban resemblance.

I see

Was Boban good then?

 

[Dinpomp]

Are you being serious about Boban? (Honestly can't tell.)


Also worth pointing out that Badelj recently received an award as Croatian Football's "Hope of the Year." An award given to the top young player of the year, previously given to both Modric and Kranjcar.

 

[nferno]

cheers Dinpomp, really nice post and very informative. Judgin by the way you regard him, im hopin that manure dont get him. Having said that, don't think he would suit us tho tbh, with Palacios and Hudd occupying CM. what do you think?

 

[jimtheyid]

Zvonimir Boban. I liked his name.

 

[THOWIG]

Nothing like Modric. Just lazy Journalism on there part. Similar player to Gojko Kacar at Hertha.

 

[ChRiStOpHe]

He's not "the next Modric", but he very much resembles Zvonimir Boban.

The constant needless comparisons in football are annoying, but I will say that Badelj is as close to a player that resembles Boban that I have seen in a while.

I'm not comparing the players through-and-through (yet), but his game resembles that of Boban's. In that I mean how he plays the game, what he looks like when he receives a pass, goes by a player or makes a pass.

If I had one word to describe him it might be: Elegant. He's very Boban-esque in that respect.

Players get compared to other players simply because they play the same position, came through the same club, or share the same nationality.

But Badelj actually plays a lot like Boban. That doesn't mean he'll be as good as Boban, but again, he reminds me of him.

Badelj isn't the finished product yet but he's been improving each year, working on his weaknesses (stamina, tackling, work-rate). He's been a standout in every category he's been playing in (through the youth ranks).

But he has such a great football brain (they don't always come off but you can see what he's thinking) and plays the game in such an elegant almost casual way (a la Boban).

He's primarily been played as a "second defensive midfielder" in Dinamo's 4-2-3-1 or as a central midfielder in a 4-4-2.

Even though he's being played in a more reserved position than would be ideal for him, he has a good goal scoring record (8 goals in 17 league games this season).

This goal was quite "Boban-esque" in how he received the ball and even in the way he hit it:

:-D

Cheers for the write up, fella. I like the look of the kid a lot, if only from a few minutes of footage. Would love to see more of him at some point in the future.

 

[danielneeds]

Boban was a fricking legend, such a great player, and cool as ice to boot.

I'd be surprised if United would be investing in another Balkan younster after Tosic and Ljajic, still as long as they are not looking Modric I am happy!

 

[Dinpomp]

Again, I'm not saying Badelj is "the next Boban", but there sure are similarities.

And with that in mind, it's also worth noting that Ferguson tried on a couple of occasions in bringing Boban to Manchester (while he was at Milan). It's still a stretch, but maybe he sees something he likes in that kind of player.

 

[Bill_Oddie]

Great post there, Dinpomp. Cheers fella. I'll ask my main man Bojan when next I see him but doubt he'd have too much more to add.

 

[ShelfSide18]

Wasn't Boban that striker that failed at Villa a few years back when he was massively hyped up?

Edit No that was Bosko Balaban, ignore me!

 

[barry]

I can't believe some of you don't know who Zvonimir Boban is. Jesus wept.

 

[hashmander]

yeah it's not even like he was a great player at some obscure club or a very good club in a shit league. meeelan ... serie a in the 90's.

 

[stemark44]

He actually reminds me of Frank Lampard.
We need a couple of really good midfielders and he may well be worth a look.

 

[ShelfSide18]

I can't believe some of you don't know who Zvonimir Boban is. Jesus wept.

I just got confused over the name.

 

[Bonjour]

Who was Bojan?

 

[Bill_Oddie]

Who was Bojan?

That to me, yeah?

No one of note but former Dinamo youngster that came out this way and has managed several sides including the Malaysian national team. I co-pundit with him when I'm not producing children. And we often bump into each other at children's activity centres. With our children. Obviously.

He gave me good insight into Lovren and has contacts at the club so we have good chats about Luka and Niko. Top chap.