The Red Devils will encounter him more often in their nightmares in the near future: Josko Gvardiol (20) excels at this World Cup with Croatia. The defender who does not seem to have any weaknesses is in the interest of many top clubs. Will he also give the Japanese attackers headaches today?
“The player to keep an eye on in the Croatian defense is Josko Gvardiol. He really has everything, is world top and is only 20 years old.”
Those were the words of Branko Strupar in the run-up to Belgium – Croatia. And those words turned out to be prophetic. Gvardiol kept things well closed in the back and regularly dribbled his way through the Belgian ranks.
With a crucial tackle, he kept Romelu Lukaku from an almost certain goal in the absolute final.
A new reference match on the already impressive CV of the Croatian golden boy. A resume that currently allows Gvardiol to successfully apply to the world’s best clubs.
Against older boys mature in youth
Josko Gvardiol started his football career at NK Tresnjevka, a smaller club in his hometown of Zagreb. After a year he is snatched away by the great Dinamo Zagreb, the club where so many Croatian top talents launch their careers.
The fisherman’s son first plays along with the older boys in the youth series. An extra challenge for Gvardiol to play smart against players who are a bit taller. And with success.
“Little Pep” – named after his almost namesake Pep Guardiola – goes through the training series at Dinamo and the national team at a fast pace. At the age of 17 he makes his debut with the club from Zagreb. 2 years later, the first minutes of play followed at vice world champion Croatia.
The opponent? The Red Devils, in a practice pot just before the European Championship in 2021. At that European Championship, Gvardiol has actually already emerged as a basic player for Croatia. As a left back that is, a position in which he can also work well. Also the youngest Croatian ever to play in a major tournament.
Great dribbler and not a card packer at all
After that tournament, Gvardiol will start working at RB Leipzig. A year earlier, the German top club had already taken over him for just under 20 million euros from Dinamo Zagreb, where he spent another season on a rental basis.
20 million, that’s small change compared to the multiple that the wonderboy will now yield.
In the Bundesliga, the Croat not only impresses with his solid defensive performance, but also with his offensive qualities. Gvardiol, for example, is one of the best dribblers in the league, a huge asset for the up-and-coming defender.
Another striking statistic: in his 133 games in a club context, Gvardiol only picked up 12 (!) yellow cards and not yet a red one. And that for a central defender. He does not even have a single card to his name with the Croatian national team.
World Cup as a final step to world top
He had been on the radar of some European top teams for some time, but after the World Cup, Gvardiol will be on every club’s Christmas wish list.
In Croatia’s first two group matches, he really takes the spotlight on the highest stage. For example, Gvardiol wins many duels, he has an excellent passing and nobody dribbles past him.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano already knows: the Croatian will make a top transfer in 2023. His national coach Zlatko Dalic even calls him “the best central defender in the world” after the third group match against Belgium.
Humble youngster who is “worth 180 million”
During the match, Gvardiol was already top against the Red Devils and afterwards he also shows his best side. Visibly emotional, he takes the time to hug his mother in the stands. Without a face mask, by the way – a necessity after his broken nose ten days before the start of the World Cup.
So the human side of Gvardiol is also good. Something that Branko Strupar – avid follower of Croatian football – confirms. “In the cup, it fits him very well despite his young age.”
If a player like Harry Maguire has to cost 80 million, then Gvardiol is worth 180 million.
“A big transfer? He has offers from everywhere. If a player like Harry Maguire costs 80 million, then Gvardiol is worth 180 million.”
The young Croat himself remains modest when he is called one of the star players of the World Cup. “I couldn’t be without all the support I get from my teammates.”
One thing is clear: the top club that wants to incorporate Gvardiol will have to dig deep into their pockets. Will his price tag go up a bit with another brilliant performance against Japan today?
Tags: Josko Gvardiol Croatias #20yearold strongman choice top clubs football world cup
