Josko Gvardiol: The Croatian Wonderkid Destined to Shine at Man City

Josko Gvardiol's encounters with Manchester City in the Champions League last season presented contrasting experiences. His performance in the first leg of their last-16 match showcased his exceptional defensive abilities, solidifying his reputation as one of the most highly regarded young defenders in the world. At the tender age of 21, Gvardiol's astute defensive skills were further highlighted when he scored an impressive header to secure a crucial equalizer for his German club.

Three weeks later, RB Leipzig suffered a humiliating 7-0 defeat in Manchester, as they were unable to counter the immense talent of Erling Haaland, who scored five goals. This experience was a valuable lesson for Gvardiol, potentially fueling his determination to achieve greatness in the sport. Remarkably, it hasn't diminished the interest from potential suitors, as Manchester City decided to invest their largest ever sum to acquire him as a defender for the Etihad.

Man City has made their move, despite Leipzig inserting a 110m Euro (£98m) buyout clause in Gvardiol's contract, which was set to activate in 2024. But what sets Gvardiol apart?

"He will touch the stars. He will be elite."

Damir Krznar has been an important figure in Gvardiol's meteoric rise - and he is convinced the trajectory will continue.

While serving as the academy director at Dinamo Zagreb, he supervised Gvardiol's growth. Additionally, as the head coach of Dinamo, he guided the club to a remarkable achievement of winning both the league and the cup, during which the young Gvardiol emerged as a standout talent in the defensive line.

Krznar, filled with pride, observed the left-footed centre-back garnering international recognition for his exceptional performances in Qatar, which were worthy of being included in the tournament's best team.

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In Croatia's third-place play-off victory over Morocco, he impressively scored a diving header. These exceptional performances were expected by Krznar, as he had witnessed Gvardiol developing his unique blend of technical ability, physical strength, and composed mindset. Krznar believed that his former player belonged on the grandest stage.

"I anticipated something of this nature," commented Krznar, currently serving as the head coach at Maribor. "He performed flawlessly, with the exception, perhaps, of that moment against Lionel Messi during the third goal scored by Argentina… but one simply cannot consider this as a mistake, for it involves Messi!" Krznar chuckles at Gvardiol's unanticipated role in a remarkable instance of Messi's brilliance.

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Lionel Messi famously got the better of Gvardiol in the semi-finals

However, it was not only Gvardiol's inability to stop the little maestro on that occasion that made an impact on his former coach. What stood out the most was the defender's consistent approach to the tournament. Regardless of the opponent or stage of the competition, Gvardiol always remained composed in dangerous areas and showed bravery in possession. These qualities have been present since his early days in the Dinamo academy.

Krznar recalls an interesting incident on Croatian television after the first game. Gvardiol said, "maybe I need to take more risks." This statement caught Krznar's attention because players like Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, and Mateo Kovacic, who are known for their simple and controlled style of play, were being overshadowed by this young kid's willingness to take risks.

"This is what makes him great.

"He's a big guy, a tough guy and in a duel he doesn't have a problem," continues Krznar. "He has very good speed, speed of reaction, everything.

"But what sets him apart is his constant effort to pass the ball forward. His passes are aimed at progressing the play to the 'one line', the 'two line', the 'three line'... This ability is a defining characteristic of midfielders.

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Gvardiol is a left-sided centre-back with a talent for line-breaking passes forward

"This is the type of central defenders we will be looking for in the future. I believe Josko is one of those contemporary central defenders."

Krznar chuckles once more as he recalls how Gvardiol and his teammates from the Dinamo Zagreb academy pushed their limits by confidently playing from the back against Chelsea and Bayern Munich in the UEFA youth competitions, causing immense tension.

Gvardiol thrived in that progressive atmosphere.

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Having won two league titles with Dinamo Zagreb and gained experience in both the Champions League and the Europa League, the 21-year-old's career progression accelerated when he broke into the Dinamo first team. Initially playing as a left-back before transitioning to centre-back, he was already set to join RB Leipzig at the age of 18, with Leeds also expressing interest after their promotion to the Premier League. This success came during the 2020/21 season under the guidance of Krznar.

"According to Krznar, there was a choice between England and Leipzig. In their conversation, the player revealed that he ultimately chose Leipzig as a stepping stone towards reaching the best league in the world, the Premier League. This decision was seen as clever as it allowed him to secure a place in the Leipzig team, enabling him to further grow and develop as a player before making a transition to the Premier League as a highly skilled and accomplished player."

"He may be reaching that point soon," remarks Sky Germany reporter Philipp Hinze, who specializes in RB Leipzig coverage. "His left foot is exceptional. His precision in passing and the speed at which he executes them are remarkable. He fearlessly attempts risky passes and skillfully dribbles past the initial pressure from opponents... His expertise in line-break passes stands out as one of his finest abilities. I have never witnessed such talent at this age and level before."

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Gvardiol has the physicality and technical skills to shine at the highest level

"And his ability to win situations defensively is awesome. He's very athletic and he's a clear, calm player.

He has the potential to become the top defender globally within the next three to five years. Leipzig provided him with the necessary guidance to nurture his skills. Initially deployed as a left-back by Jesse Marsch, his successor Domenico Tedesco recognized his capabilities and shifted him to a central position, showing complete trust in Gvardiol.

"They had an excellent rapport," Hinze states. "He featured in every game under Tedesco.

"It was during the Europa League semi-final against Rangers that his form took a downturn with Tedesco. It was a string of below-par performances... but Tedesco continued to give him playing time. 'Come on, let's overcome this phase.'"

The heavy loss at Man City in March should not lead to any doubt about him. Those who have closely witnessed his rise are already aware of his true talent.

"He will be one of the leaders of our national team in the future, of course," says Krznar. "I'm very proud. Not only me but the whole staff at Dinamo Zagreb. It fills us with joy and happiness."