Vrsaljko/Corluka....

[Dinpomp]

Not sure where to put this, but:

http://sportske.jutarnji.hr/dinamo-...egovore-s-hrvatskim-reprezentativcem/1028601/

^^^ in Croatian.

Report says that Bayer Leverkusen have begun talks with Dinamo Zagreb over Sime Vrsaljko.

2 points of interest:

1. Vrsaljko was mentioned as the possible "20-year-old Croatian" in yesterday's ITK. He has also been linked with Spurs in the past.

2. Vrsaljko is a RB. As is Corluka, who is already there (at Leverkusen) on loan, with an option to buy. Would this mean that they won't be taking up the option on Corluka?


The story just broke so time will how valid it actually is.

 

[hoodlum]

Kovacic is the supposed 20-yr old. 18 actually.

 

[Joe091]

Kovacic is the supposed 20-yr old. 18 actually.

He's supposedly the supposed 20 year old Croat. There are also other candidates that could fit that description; to my knowledge it hasn't been clarified if it Kavacic or not.

 

[Ossie85]

He's supposedly the supposed 20 year old Croat. There are also other candidates that could fit that description; to my knowledge it hasn't been clarified if it Kavacic or not.

The key phrase was "similar to Hazard". The only young croatian that is similar to Hazard and that we've been following is Mateo Kovacic.

He's a small attacking mid that can also play CM or RW (he played there for Dinamo against Real Madrid)

 

[Spursidol]

Not sure where to put this, but:

http://sportske.jutarnji.hr/dinamo-...egovore-s-hrvatskim-reprezentativcem/1028601/

^^^ in Croatian.

Report says that Bayer Leverkusen have begun talks with Dinamo Zagreb over Sime Vrsaljko.

2 points of interest:

1. Vrsaljko was mentioned as the possible "20-year-old Croatian" in yesterday's ITK. He has also been linked with Spurs in the past.

2. Vrsaljko is a RB. As is Corluka, who is already there (at Leverkusen) on loan, with an option to buy. Would this mean that they won't be taking up the option on Corluka?


The story just broke so time will how valid it actually is.

Regardless of the '20 year old Croatian bit ' the German club will either take Corluka or they will not - in your possible scenario they will not and take a 20 year old in his place. It depends on whether they value Corluka's experience versus a relatively untried youth.

 

[JaySpur]

Is he (Kovacic) a similar player to Modric or to Hazard?

I'd like to see us have a slightly more dynamic AM. Someone who will dribble past players and has got a few goals in them too. Like Gascoine used to.

Also, I assume we have a decent relationship with Dynamo Zagreb which would help any potential deal?

 

[Ossie85]

Is he (Kovacic) a similar player to Modric or to Hazard?

I'd like to see us have a slightly more dynamic AM. Someone who will dribble past players and has got a few goals in them too. Like Gascoine used to.

Also, I assume we have a decent relationship with Dynamo Zagreb which would help any potential deal?

Hazard ......but I think he would develop into a Modric. Something like Toni Kroos. He's playing on the wings and as an AM because he's young and light, be he will eventually play as a CM

 

[Dinpomp]

Is he (Kovacic) a similar player to Modric or to Hazard?

I'd like to see us have a slightly more dynamic AM. Someone who will dribble past players and has got a few goals in them too. Like Gascoine used to.

Also, I assume we have a decent relationship with Dynamo Zagreb which would help any potential deal?

Will be best utilized when played centrally. He is someone who will go on slalom runs. He has a good change of pace and close control. He's quick and creative.

 

[JaySpur]

Hazard ......but I think he would develop into a Modric. Something like Toni Kroos. He's playing on the wings and as an AM because he's young and light, be he will eventually play as a CM

Will be best utilized when played centrally. He is someone who will go on slalom runs. He has a good change of pace and close control. He's quick and creative.

Thanks Ossie85 & Dinpomp. Useful info for the likes of me. Looks a good player already. Technically good. Aware of his team mates and able to play a pass at the right time. Decent strength too, which is always good for the premier league.

...of course, it's only youtube though

 

[Dinpomp]

http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/startseite/569177/artikel_bayer-buhlt-um-vrsaljko.html

Now kicker running the story.

They say that Tottenham are looking for 6.5m euros for Corluka, which is more than Bayer are willing to pay.

Vrsaljko is their main target for a right back, but Dinamo are also looking for a decent fee ("over 5m euros").

 

[CJMurray]

I can't see Levy selling Corluka for €6.5m. Thats £5.2m pounds for a established international full back and considering that we bought him for £8m i'd imagine he'd be looking to at least break even.

 

[Dinpomp]

Corluka today, answering a question about his future:

- I'm returning to Tottenham and we'll see what the future brings. At Leverkusen it was nice, but they're not in a position to keep me at the club due to financial reasons. We saw that in the Sime Vrsaljko situation as well (I'll explain this below). I'll try to fight for my place and another chance at Spurs, or somewhere else.

*****

Dinamo's sporting direktor, Zoran Mamic, yesterday told the media that the talks with Leverkusen over Vrsaljko broke down. The German club offered 3m euros and Dinamo the chance to retain 50% of his rights. Dinamo quickly shot that down as they feel he's worth much more than that.

 

[Dinpomp]

http://euro2012.jutarnji.hr/raste-h...ruzio-se-slavenu-bilicu-u-lokomotivu/1036836/

(^^^ in Croatian)

Vedran Corluka has joined Lokomotiv Moscow (now managed by Slaven Bilic).

Transfer fee reported to be 7m euros.

They are also chasing Mario Mandzukic. And they already have Pavlyuchenko.

 

[sunnydelight786]

Good luck Charlie, hope the move works out for him!!!

 

[Berglad]

http://euro2012.jutarnji.hr/raste-h...ruzio-se-slavenu-bilicu-u-lokomotivu/1036836/

(^^^ in Croatian)

Vedran Corluka has joined Lokomotiv Moscow (now managed by Slaven Bilic).

Transfer fee reported to be 7m euros.

They are also chasing Mario Mandzukic. And they already have Pavlyuchenko.

Spurs East!

Sad to see him go, would prefer him to Walker in a lot of games.

 

[mil1lion]

Good technical player but lacks the pace and penetration for us now. Good luck Charlie.

Step up Naughton or Smith

 

[hoodlum]

Spurs East!

Sad to see him go, would prefer him to Walker in a lot of games.

Really? Walker still has some positional issues and the occasional poor tackle, but he's really young still. And if AVB is the manager, Walker should be a very good weapon in the attacking FB role. He's got the pace and engine to play that position. I'd fear Corluka getting back on defense during the counter-attack.

 

[Berglad]

Really? Walker still has some positional issues and the occasional poor tackle, but he's really young still. And if AVB is the manager, Walker should be a very good weapon in the attacking FB role. He's got the pace and engine to play that position. I'd fear Corluka getting back on defense during the counter-attack.

Walker will improve but I don't think he should have been playing every game last season. He is fast and hard-working but basically that's all he has so far. Every time he goes forward he either passes it back, loses the ball, or crosses, hitting the first man or way overhitting it. For an "attacking" fullback he really offers very little. He also gets caught out so often making a bad pass around the halfway line. Defensively he's a bit better but as you say, his positioning is very suspect - fortunately he is fast enough that he can often make u[ it for it.

 

[tiger666]

I just started playing FM again. Signed Vrslkjdkk........ Sime this morning and he broke his leg 2 weeks later. Not relevant to this thread whatsoever but yeah. As you were.

 

[hoodlum]

Walker will improve but I don't think he should have been playing every game last season. He is fast and hard-working but basically that's all he has so far. Every time he goes forward he either passes it back, loses the ball, or crosses, hitting the first man or way overhitting it. For an "attacking" fullback he really offers very little. He also gets caught out so often making a bad pass around the halfway line. Defensively he's a bit better but as you say, his positioning is very suspect - fortunately he is fast enough that he can often make u[ it for it.

I agree that his crosses need much improvement which could take time (if it comes at all), but given his age and experience, the other issues should see marked improvement during the next few seasons.

I guess I just didn't see RB as a position that made or broke our season last year, therefore keeping the 20-year-old kid there to learn and grow would only prove to be a positive move. Our issues lie elsewhere, IMO.