StartingPrice
Chief Sardonicus Hyperlip
- Feb 13, 2004
- 32,568
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The "next Modric" ?
- Thread starter Dinpomp
- Start date
kaz Hirai
Well-Known Member
- Nov 5, 2008
- 17,692
- 25,340
Umm, HELLO!?
after all that trouble to sign him, turns out palace got the better deal! couldnt get a game for swindon
- Thread starter
- #63
Real Madrid, Man Utd watching Dinamo Zagreb whizkid Alen Halilovic
Submitted by tribalfootball.com on Wed, 09/12/2012 - 12:30
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been tipped off about Dinamo Zagreb whizkid Alen Halilovic.
The 16 year-old midfielder has been likened to Real Madrid star Luka Modric.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is keen on Halilovic, while Ferguson has also been alerted to the youngster by his East European scouts.
*****
It's tribal, but word will get around fast either way. I don't doubt some have got a hold of my video either.
Submitted by tribalfootball.com on Wed, 09/12/2012 - 12:30
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been tipped off about Dinamo Zagreb whizkid Alen Halilovic.
The 16 year-old midfielder has been likened to Real Madrid star Luka Modric.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is keen on Halilovic, while Ferguson has also been alerted to the youngster by his East European scouts.
*****
It's tribal, but word will get around fast either way. I don't doubt some have got a hold of my video either.
- Thread starter
- #64
Why Real Madrid, Man Utd and Man City are so desperate to prise Alen Halilovic away from Dinamo Zagreb
tribalfootball.com September 26, 2012, 12:09 am
Despite his robust protests, Zoran Mamic has to know Alen Halilovic is only marking time at Dinamo Zagreb.
Mamic, the charismatic, outspoken Dinamo sports chief has already successfully withstood an aggressive approach from Real Madrid for the teen. And with the full weight of the Croatian FA behind him, convinced Halilovic and his father to commit to a long-term contract.
But with representatives of Manchester United and Manchester City now showing their face in Zagreb and offering their thoughts to the local press, Mamic knows the hype around Halilovic is not going to subside.
"He is an extraordinary talent. Incredibly powerful with the ball for his age. We know that he's been mentioned throughout Europe as the best we'll see in the next few years in his position," says Dinamo academy director Romea Jozaka (<- valjda neki japanac).
Jozaka also worked with Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric when he was coming through the Dinamo system and rates Halilovic well ahead of the Croatian icon at the same age.
"I watched Luka at the same age and it seems to me that Alen is a step, maybe two in front of him. However, Modric has this character that made him make the most of his God-given talent and to become one of the best midfielders in the world."
With his floppy hairstyle and busy style of running, Halilovic is the spitting image of Modric. And like the former Spurs star, is a natural No10.
"He has a unique technical ability and a great knack of finding his teammates with the ball," continued Jozaka. "In one on ones, he's virtually unbeatable.
"But now he's entering a phase where his natural skill needs to be upgraded. He must learn the other sides of the game."
Real know all about Halilovic, having had the then 14 year-old spend four days training with their junior team last year. Coaching staff immediately were comparing him with Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.
"Everyone here knows he will be a sensation," one Madrid source said. "When he has the ball, he is reminiscent of Lionel Messi."
Real showed their hand last year, making a serious attempt to lure Halilovic to Spain as Dinamo pushed to get his signature on a long-term contract. Mamic was furious and worked with the Croatian FA to threaten the youngster with a playing ban until he turned 18. Complicating matters was that Halilovic's father, Sejad, is part of Dinamo's youth coaching staff and a former player.
In the end, sanity prevailed and the Halilovic family agreed to sign forms. Since then, Alen has been rewarded with promotion to the senior squad by manager Ante Cacic.
"Surely this is a great talent, a pearl of our football schools that we have long recognized. The objective is, through work and training with the first team, to bring him to the highest level," said Cacic.
Halilovic enjoyed his first training session with Cacic's squad last week.
"This is certainly a great honor and the greatest possible incentive to continue here. The mere fact that I was able to enter the first team dressing room and did a workout is unbelievable for me.
"I now will work hard to justify the trust they've shown in me."
It was during the week of Halilovic's promotion that news broke in the Zagreb press of interest from United and City. Both Manchester giants have detailed dossiers on the youngster and testimonies from trusted local scouts and coaching identities.
Despite the frenzied interest around the teen, Jozaka insists Dinamo is the best place for him.
"Hs father Sejad cares about his career and obviously has some sort of different vision of the future for Alen. But I should mention he's been offered a contract worth three times more than his peers. It's too easy to say he's already made it. There's hard work ahead of him. He's still only a young player. He has it all to prove."
tribalfootball.com September 26, 2012, 12:09 am
Despite his robust protests, Zoran Mamic has to know Alen Halilovic is only marking time at Dinamo Zagreb.
Mamic, the charismatic, outspoken Dinamo sports chief has already successfully withstood an aggressive approach from Real Madrid for the teen. And with the full weight of the Croatian FA behind him, convinced Halilovic and his father to commit to a long-term contract.
But with representatives of Manchester United and Manchester City now showing their face in Zagreb and offering their thoughts to the local press, Mamic knows the hype around Halilovic is not going to subside.
"He is an extraordinary talent. Incredibly powerful with the ball for his age. We know that he's been mentioned throughout Europe as the best we'll see in the next few years in his position," says Dinamo academy director Romea Jozaka (<- valjda neki japanac).
Jozaka also worked with Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric when he was coming through the Dinamo system and rates Halilovic well ahead of the Croatian icon at the same age.
"I watched Luka at the same age and it seems to me that Alen is a step, maybe two in front of him. However, Modric has this character that made him make the most of his God-given talent and to become one of the best midfielders in the world."
With his floppy hairstyle and busy style of running, Halilovic is the spitting image of Modric. And like the former Spurs star, is a natural No10.
"He has a unique technical ability and a great knack of finding his teammates with the ball," continued Jozaka. "In one on ones, he's virtually unbeatable.
"But now he's entering a phase where his natural skill needs to be upgraded. He must learn the other sides of the game."
Real know all about Halilovic, having had the then 14 year-old spend four days training with their junior team last year. Coaching staff immediately were comparing him with Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.
"Everyone here knows he will be a sensation," one Madrid source said. "When he has the ball, he is reminiscent of Lionel Messi."
Real showed their hand last year, making a serious attempt to lure Halilovic to Spain as Dinamo pushed to get his signature on a long-term contract. Mamic was furious and worked with the Croatian FA to threaten the youngster with a playing ban until he turned 18. Complicating matters was that Halilovic's father, Sejad, is part of Dinamo's youth coaching staff and a former player.
In the end, sanity prevailed and the Halilovic family agreed to sign forms. Since then, Alen has been rewarded with promotion to the senior squad by manager Ante Cacic.
"Surely this is a great talent, a pearl of our football schools that we have long recognized. The objective is, through work and training with the first team, to bring him to the highest level," said Cacic.
Halilovic enjoyed his first training session with Cacic's squad last week.
"This is certainly a great honor and the greatest possible incentive to continue here. The mere fact that I was able to enter the first team dressing room and did a workout is unbelievable for me.
"I now will work hard to justify the trust they've shown in me."
It was during the week of Halilovic's promotion that news broke in the Zagreb press of interest from United and City. Both Manchester giants have detailed dossiers on the youngster and testimonies from trusted local scouts and coaching identities.
Despite the frenzied interest around the teen, Jozaka insists Dinamo is the best place for him.
"Hs father Sejad cares about his career and obviously has some sort of different vision of the future for Alen. But I should mention he's been offered a contract worth three times more than his peers. It's too easy to say he's already made it. There's hard work ahead of him. He's still only a young player. He has it all to prove."
spursfan77
Well-Known Member
- Aug 13, 2005
- 46,689
- 104,972
whats happened to Kovacic. He hasnt been in any of Zagreb's CL teams from when Ive looked out for him
- Thread starter
- #68
Just coming back from injury. This was his last game before injury (Champions League - 2nd qualifying round):
1:12-1:21 showing a glimpse of what he can do.
Starting to get some minutes in the league. Started a cup game today.
gavspur
Well-Known Member
- Jun 24, 2004
- 5,314
- 8,846
Maybe this is where our new relationship with Real comes in to play? We sign the young kids, who if they do well in our first team and stick around for 3yrs, then they will get to go to Real..???? The kids know that signing for us can elevate them quickly to Real, and we make money on the outlay.
SandroClegane
Well-Known Member
- Jun 27, 2012
- 3,717
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Coulibaly?
Kendall
Well-Known Member
- Feb 8, 2007
- 38,502
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Yep, Croatia are downhill. Belgium is the future.
whitelightwhiteheat
SC Supporter
- Jul 21, 2006
- 6,517
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Zagreb ought to be world beaters the amount of "whizz kids" and "wonder kids" they've got!
Harry_Snatch
Well-Known Member
- Jul 16, 2009
- 1,532
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seriously they really do get it when it comes to team sports in Croatia. They are producing some top quality young basketball and handball talent as well.
- Thread starter
- #75
I get your sarcasm, but the problem is that these talents rarely stay in Croatia for long at all. Most leave as "talents."
Dinamo Zagreb has had players like Modric, Eduardo, Corluka, Mandzukic, Lovren, Badelj, Kranjcar, etc.
All left before their prime. Expect the same with Kovacic and Halilovic. That's just the way it is, unfortunately.
Dinamo has had a lot of good-to-great players. But Kovacic and Halilovic are about as "top prospect" as it gets. Will they maximize their potential? That's yet to be seen and there are still many hurdles to be cleared. But at their age, they are two very exciting talents.
- Thread starter
- #76
This guy posted this Alen Halilovic comp yesterday (using all of my videos):
In less than a day it already has over 300,000 views. Various media posting it on their sites. The cat's definitely out of the bag on this one.
Dinamo planning on giving him his senior debut soon. Still don't think he's physically ready yet, but it will be interesting to see.
In less than a day it already has over 300,000 views. Various media posting it on their sites. The cat's definitely out of the bag on this one.
Dinamo planning on giving him his senior debut soon. Still don't think he's physically ready yet, but it will be interesting to see.
StartingPrice
Chief Sardonicus Hyperlip
- Feb 13, 2004
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If we let everyone else fantasaise over this kid, will it give us a better chance of getting Kovačić (not saying he is better, just that I don't think we have a hope of getting Halilovic, TBH)?
whitelightwhiteheat
SC Supporter
- Jul 21, 2006
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I didn't mean it to be offensive, it was just a little joke that's all.
And I agree, Croatia have produced some exciting talents over the years, and continue to do so. You mentioned two, but also Sime Vrjsasko (spelling? no where near right, I know!) and others as well, probably.
So if he gos to Man Utd or Real can we blame you? (you know we all love a good old scapegoat).
- Thread starter
- #80
Oh I know, and I didn't take it as such. No worries.
The media do tend to go overboard. And there are constant needless comparisons. I totally agree with that.
Vrsaljko is a head scratcher. On the verge of great things, then gets a red card in a vital game CL qualifier last season and can't seem to regain his form. It's becoming a bit of a worry. He needs to get it sorted soon or who knows if he'll get back to where he was (supposed to be).
That's just Dinamo. But there are always talents throughout Croatia. Hajduk has an 18-year-old "pitbull" DM named Josip Radosevic who started for Croatia in the recent qualifier at Belgium. He's going to have a big career ahead of him and is already attracting a lot of interest. Hajduk also recently called-up 16-year-old Josip Basic to the senior team. Another top talent. Was offered a trial at Liverpool earlier in this year.
The U17/U18 generation of Croatians is actually very talented. Quite a few potential "stars" in that group. Will be interesting to see if any/how many will pan out.
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