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Sime Vrsaljko - the 'new Darijo Srna'
At just 18 years of age, right-back Sime Vrsaljko is already a hot prospect, and his name has been jotted down in the scouting notebooks of Europe's major clubs.
His market value is rising with every match he play,s as he is young and extremely talented, and no doubt his eventual transfer fee will be a high one.
According to transfer rumours, the Dinamo Zagreb management rejected a €4 million offer from Olympique Marseille in August 2010. In addition, some club board members confirmed that Arsenal, Tottenham and Sampdoria are keen on signing the Croatian wonder-kid. According to the latest reports, Dinamo Zagreb want €6-7 million for the young talent.
So who exactly is this in-demand teenager?
Club career
Vrsaljko grew up playing in his native city of Zadar, but his home club NK Zadar couldn't keep him for much longer and he signed for Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb . Many people expected him to sign for Hajduk Split, which is a more of a "natural" move for good players from that part of Croatia. However, Vrsaljko followed in the footstops of Tottenham's Luka Modric, who also moved to Dinamo in his early years, and hasn't regretted his decision.
Vrsaljko played his first senior minutes in the Croatian league for NK Lokomotiva Zagreb, as a loaned player.
In the first part of season 2009/2010 he showed great potential and Dinamo Zagreb wanted him back. Ever since, he has been a regular first-team member and one of the most important players in the Dinamo squad.
International career
Vrsaljko played for all of Croatia's youth sides. He made his youth international debut on April 17, 2007, when he played for Croatia Under 15s in a friendly match against Slovenia.
He was also a member of the Croatian U19 team that reached the semi-final of the 2010 UEFA U19 European Championship in France.
Even though he can still play for the U19 team, Vrsaljko already made his debut for the Croatia U21 team in March 2010 against France.
There is no doubt that Vrsaljko is the future of the Croatian national team and he is sure to be a regular in the senior squad sooner rather than later
Technical skills
Sime has all the makings that decide the difference between average and top players.
• Vrsaljko has fantastic motor skills – He is athletic, agile and has the tremendous ability to change pace and direction while running with the ball. He is also fast and has great acceleration.
• He is a very smart player for his age – Although still just a teen, Vrsaljko is an intelligent player who understands the game very well, can anticipate moves and has excellent decision-making. He knows when to support the attack from his full-back position, when to stay at the back and has the nous to realise when his flank is going to come into play during a move.
• The Croatian also has good technical abilities – He posseses high quality dribbling skills and the excellent ability to go past players easily. He controls the ball superbly at his feet, even on the run, and his touch, shooting and passing abilities all show that he is a talented technician.
• Vrsaljko is an attack-minded full-back with excellent crossing ability – As an offensive oriented right-back who can also play as a right midfielder, Vrsaljko operates a huge amoung on the flank. He has top-class crossing ability, in terms of technique, power and accuracy, particularly for a player of his age.
• Vrsaljko has strong and very precise shooting ability - He has a fierece right foot that, combined with his ability to change direction, gives him the ability to cut into the middle and pose a threat at goal. As a result, opponents often don't know how to mark him as he can cut in and shoot, or burst down the line and send in a cross.
Mentality
Vrsaljko is quite a modest individual who up until now has not had any disciplinary issues or been involved with any confrontations with teammates, coaches or journalists.
He is a very intelligent, well-mannered and well-raised individual.
However, since a very young age, Vrsaljko has lacked consistency. One match he is good, and in the next he can be quite poor. He needs a bit of a stronger mentality in order to overcome that, but that is likely to come with age and playing experience.
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