Josko Gvardiol: The Rising Star Primed for Greatness at RB Leipzig – Man City Eyeing Transfer Bid

Josko Gvardiol's encounters with Manchester City in this season's Champions League were a tale of contrasts. While he showcased his goal-scoring abilities and impressed with his defensive skills in the first leg of their last-16 tie, the second leg at the Etihad was a much humbling experience for him. At just 21 years old, Gvardiol has already earned a reputation as one of the most promising young defenders globally, making him highly sought after by Europe's top clubs. In the first leg, he displayed maturity in his defensive performance and even scored a remarkable header to bring parity for his team, underlining his immense potential.

Three weeks later, RB Leipzig suffered a crushing defeat of 7-0 in Manchester, unable to counter the incredible performance of Erling Haaland, who scored five goals. This experience proved to be a humbling one for Gvardiol, yet it may serve to further fuel his determination to achieve greatness in the sport.

Undoubtedly, this setback has not dampened the interest of potential suitors, as recent reports indicate that Man City is considering making a move for the talented centre-back in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Gvardiol's prominence is exemplified by Leipzig including a 110 million Euro (£98 million) buyout clause in his contract, set to activate in 2024. It is highly likely that he will draw significantly higher offers in the upcoming transfer period, with clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool being linked to substantial bids.

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Gvardiol celebrates after opening the scoring for Croatia in the World Cup third-place play-off

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

Damir Krznar played a crucial role in Gvardiol's rapid ascent and firmly believes that this progress will persist.

Krznar, in his capacity as the academy director at Dinamo Zagreb, closely supervised Gvardiol's growth. Additionally, as the head coach of Dinamo, he guided the team to a remarkable league and cup victory, where the young prodigy Gvardiol emerged as a standout player in their defense.

Krznar watched on proudly as the left-footed centre-back grabbed global attention with his team-of-the-tournament worthy displays in Qatar.

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He scored a stunning diving header for Croatia in their third-place play-off victory over Morocco

Krznar was not surprised by those performances. He had witnessed Gvardiol's exceptional blend of technical ability, physicality, and calm composure and knew that he would excel on the grandest stage. It was a natural fit for him.

"I anticipated something like this," Krznar, who is currently the head coach at Maribor, remarked. "He played flawlessly. Well, there was perhaps one error against Lionel Messi which led to Argentina's third goal... but that's not really an error, considering it was Messi!" Krznar chuckles at Gvardiol's unintended involvement in a remarkable display of Messi's brilliance.

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In the semi-finals, Lionel Messi triumphed over Gvardiol, leaving a lasting impression on his former coach. However, it was Gvardiol's unwavering performance throughout the tournament that truly stood out. Regardless of the opposing team or competition stage, Gvardiol remained composed in dangerous situations and showed boldness in possession. These traits have been ingrained in him since his early days at the Dinamo academy.

"This is what sets him apart and makes him exceptional," smiles Krznar, referring to Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, and Mateo Kovacic, who are known for their disciplined and possession-based style of play. "It's quite remarkable that this young talent is eager to push the boundaries and take more risks than these established players!"

"He possesses a formidable stature and an unwavering toughness, making him an formidable opponent in a duel," Krznar elaborates. "Not only does he boast exceptional speed and quick reflexes, but what sets him apart is his instinctive inclination to pass the ball forward. His primary objective is to drive the game forward, unlocking the 'one line', 'two line', and 'three line'... a trait typically associated with midfielders."

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Gvardiol possesses a skill for making progressive passes forward, making him a prime candidate for the kind of central defenders we aim to recruit in the coming years. Josko undeniably fits the profile of a contemporary central defender.

Krznar can’t help but chuckle as he recalls how Gvardiol and his teammates at the Dinamo Zagreb academy used to "test our patience" by confidently playing out from the back against Chelsea and Bayern Munich in the UEFA youth competitions.

This approach was strongly endorsed by Krznar and his coaching staff. "We understood that this is the style of football we must adopt, as it is what the entire world is striving for," he explained.

It was in that forward-thinking environment Gvardiol flourished.

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The 21-year-old won two league titles with Dinamo Zagreb and gained Champions League and Europa League experience

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His progress gained momentum as he broke into the Dinamo first team, initially as a left-back before transitioning to centre-back. By the time he achieved success and won silverware under Krznar during the 2020/21 season, a move to RB Leipzig had already been arranged for the young player, who was then 18 years old. Despite interest from Leeds following their promotion to the Premier League, he opted for Leipzig.

"He also received an offer from England, which presented a dilemma," Krznar explains. "What was the better choice? Going to England or Leipzig? When I discussed it with him, he explained that he chose Leipzig because he believed it would be a stepping stone towards eventually playing in England, in the best league in the world."

He may very well be reaching that stage currently.

"His left foot is exceptional," states Philipp Hinze, a Sky Germany reporter specializing in RB Leipzig. "His pass precision and speed are truly remarkable. He fearlessly executes risky passes and effortlessly bypasses the first pressing line... His line-break passes are truly unparalleled for someone of his age and playing level.

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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 can be the world's best defender in the next three to five years."

He received adequate support for his development in Leipzig. Initially positioned as a left-back by Jesse Marsch, his successor Domenico Tedesco shifted him to the central position and placed complete trust in Gvardiol.

"They had an excellent rapport," Hinze asserts. "During Tedesco's tenure, he featured in every match."

The tough situation with his form during the Europa League semi-final with Rangers was experienced alongside Tedesco. It was a series of poor performances, yet Tedesco still granted him playing time. "Let's move past this stage," he encouraged.

I believe this support played a significant role in his improvement. Additionally, Marco Rose acknowledges his abilities and holds great admiration for him. In my opinion, he is among the top defenders with a strong left foot, truly one of the best center-backs.

Premier League bound: But will Liverpool, Man City or Chelsea win his signature?

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His aim is to play in the Premier League after developing at RB Leipzig

Gvardiol is highly regarded at Leipzig and received a warm welcome from his teammates upon returning from the World Cup. However, it is acknowledged that his journey is only just starting. Hinze reveals, "The fans also have a great affection for him, but they understand that Leipzig won't be his final stop in his career."

RB Leipzig has produced other talented center-backs such as Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate, with the latter recently moving to Liverpool. It's possible that Gvardiol could also find himself at Anfield in the future.

According to Hinze, he has expressed his preference for Liverpool as his ideal team. He also mentioned Manchester City as another option. The reasons behind these choices are that these clubs have the financial capability to meet the release clause and the Premier League offers a high level of competition. Unlike other leagues such as La Liga, where the level of competition may not be as formidable, joining the Premier League allows players to face the best teams in the world. Hinze believes that the player is prepared to make this move in the upcoming summer transfer window, but the key factor will be the size of the offer.

Additionally, there was interest from Chelsea towards the end of the previous summer transfer window. However, Leipzig currently holds a strong position and can demand a high price in the next transfer window. They are aware that a release clause of 110m Euros will be required in the summer of 2024.

The defeat suffered at Man City in March should not be a cause for doubting him. Those who have closely observed his ascent are already aware of his undeniable talent.

"He will undoubtedly become one of the future leaders of our national team," Krznar expresses with pride. "This fills not only me, but the entire staff at Dinamo Zagreb, with immense joy and happiness."