It's like the 6-foot-1 Gvardiol was created in a lab from the "world-class left-sided centre-back" template. He is among the best-passing defenders in the world, and his ability to advance the ball via either progressive carry (71.8 per 90 minutes, tops among Bundesliga defenders) or progressive pass (9.8 per 90, third) make him perfect for just about any possession-friendly side in the world. He has already played in over 30 matches in UEFA competitions and carved out more than 20 caps for a veteran-laden Croatia team, and he won't turn 22 until next January.
The Dinamo Zagreb product's star rose considerably with his brilliant play for third-place Croatia in the winter's World Cup, and he sandwiched that performance with season-long excellence in Leipzig. He even scored a trio of goals from corners, including one against Manchester City in the Champions League knockout rounds.
Expectations for 2023-24:
Among Gvardiol's top comps at FBref.com is Manchester City's Ruben Dias. It's perhaps no surprise, then, to learn that he has allegedly been of interest to City for quite some time. It seems likely that he will be on the move soon, and bigger clubs mean heavier pressure. That said, he's quickly zipped from "up-and-comer" to "proven star." He'll likely handle any move just fine. -- Connelly
Meni je uvijek zanimljivo pročitati intervjue stare generacije — Maksim Maksimirski
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