AFR Scouting: Dinamo Zagreb’s Milan Badelj

By Dominic Vieira

In 2008, Croatian superstar Luka Modric joined Tottenahm Hotspur for approximately 18 million euros. This may have left the Dinamo Zagreb bank account full of cash, but on the other hand, there were some big boots in the centre of the field that needed to be filled.

A new playmaker was needed and that position was appointed to the young and inexperienced, but highly talented, Milan Badelj. Before playing in his new role, the youngster spent the 2007/2008 season on loan at Lokomotiva. After a brilliant season playing in the third division, he was recalled by Dinamo and ready for a new challenge. Milan Badelj was the natural successor of Luka Modric’s throne and the fans soon learned to forget about their former star.

Milan Badelj’s career started at NK Ponikve, a small club in Zagreb. It didn’t take long for his talent and skill to be recognised throughout the country, NK Zagreb soon snapped him up. In 2007 he moved to Dinamo Zagreb, NK’s arch-rivals. Milan was immediately sent on loan to Lokomotiva.  He made numerous outstanding displays for the team in which he played 28 games, scoring 7 times.

Milan is a technically gifted midifelder, his technique allows him to control the ball naturally and easily dribble past opponents.  A creative midfielder needs to have amazing vision, this can easily be seen with Milan, who assists many goals for the team. His vision has permitted him to easily dictate the game in the centre of the park as he plays a range of short, long and through balls which are always received by his teammates. The midfielder enjoys shooting the ball and is never afraid to take a powerful long shot. Also, he’s deadly inside the box and has scored 9 goals for Dinamo this season.

Apart from being a talented and technically gifted player, a player of Milan’s calibre needs to have strong psycological attributes. He may be one of the youngest and inexperienced players in the team, but Milan is an incredibly aggressive player. He is always challenging for the ball, and possesion is lost he will fight for it. The tireless midfielder is highly versatile and can be adapted as a defensive midfielder if necesssary, mainly due to his aggresiveness and pace.  The Croatian player is a highly intelligent man and a model professional for aspiring footballers.

The creative midfielder is 21 years old and has represented Croatia at Under-17, 19 and 21 levels. Unfortunately, he has yet to make his international debut for the national team. but it is almost certain that manager Slaven Bilic will be calling him for their next match. Croatia may not have qualified for the 2010 World Cup which would have been a great oppourtunity for Badelj to make his name. But if they qualify for the Euro 2012, Milan will definitely be a player to watch out for.

Milan Badelj will not be playing his entire career for Dinamo and it won’t take long until the interest in him becomes more serious and clubs start making offers. England is calling for him and in the winter transfer window he was linked with a move to Manchester United. Nowadays, every talented players seems to be lined with a move there.

He is most definitely a player to watch in the future and one day he may be captain of the Croatian national team.  Milan Badelj has proven that he is ready for playing football at the highest level and he can adapt to many positions. Wherever he eventually transfers to, he will be successful. 

What do you think will become of the promising Croatian?