Milan Badelj

[juanes]

Club:CroatiaDinamo Zagreb

Nationality:CroatiaCroatia

Age:21

Height:1.84 m / 6.04 ft

Weight:76 kg / 167 lbs

Position:Central midfielder

http://3.static.wix.com/media/b8b7ddaf9b2d07e251ca496fa7758b63.wix_mp

When Luka Modric signed for Tottenham Hotspur, the biggest concern at Dinamo Zagreb was who would replace the diminutive playmaker.  Soon enough everyone realized there was no reason to worry since coming through the ranks was one young player who had all the makings to be a future star of the club - his name was Milan Badelj .

 

Milan Badelj was born on February 25, 1989 in Zagreb. He is a completely modern midfielder and Dinamo Zagreb 's new Luka Modric , even though many football experts compare him in terms of physical attributes and playing style to Croatian legend Zvonimir Boban. Badelj is also called “The jewel from Dinamo” for his elegant style of play, clever passing and fine technical ability. He has great potential to be a true star and that is the reason why many European clubs are interested and are keeping track of this young talent.

 

Club career:  Milan Badelj made his first steps as a kid in a small local football club NK Ponikve. His talent was well recognized all over Zagreb and in a very short period of time he moved to play for NK Zargeb in their youth ranks.

 

His major career milestone came during 2007, when Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb recognized his high potential and signed him. Badelj was immediately sent on loan to NK Lokomotiva (in the third Croatian league) in season 2007/2008 where at the age of 18 he played his debut season in a senior squad and finished with statistics of 28 matches and seven goals scored.

 

Badelj's surprisingly fantastic season out on loan set the ground for a comeback to Dinamo Zagreb . Towards the 2008/2009 season, all Croatia's football experts and commentators naturally assumed that Badelj would play a bench player role and that Dinamo Zagreb brought him back in order to strengthen their squad. Badelj proved them wrong; he soon became not only a regular first team member, but the "conductor of Dinamo’s band" from midfield. Badelj showed huge progress and made a total of 31 appearances, scoring four goals in the Croatian first division.  During that season Badelj also played in 12 Champions League qualification and Europa league matches.

 

Milan Badelj started season 2009/2010 as a proven player and as one of Dinamo Zagreb 's stars. Some great performances in the domestic league and Europa League proved that he is ready for the big time of European football. In 2009/2010 he has played 27 games in all competitions up until now, and scored nine goals, which is a fantastic statistic for a midfielder his age.

 

International career:  Milan Badelj was a member of all Croatian youth national teams. From the Under-17 (14 appearances, one goal), through the Under-19 team (8 appearances, no goals), and up to Under-21 level (4 appearances, one goal) – Milan Badelj played a major role and was a very important player in those national teams ranks.

 

Milan Badelj has been spoken about as a hot prospect for Croatia's senior national team, and many football experts in Croatia have long expected that he would already have made his debut for the full national side. Croatia national team head coach Slaven Bilic has not called him up yet, but this is expected to happen very soon, especially if Badelj will continue to play at his present high level and show his great potential.

 

Technical skills: Milan Badelj , even though he is just 20, is almost a complete football player. A modern midfielder with some fantastic characteristics - his main virtues are his excellent technical ability, in terms of ball control, the way he runs with the ball at his feet and the ability to go past a player in a one on one situation.

 

Another high quality is his high and very precise passing skills and vision of the field - he is a great assist provider and very often sends magnificent balls to any teammate who makes the right movement. His "no look pass" ability is quite impressive as well. Badelj's excellent passing is derived from his great vision of the field. Badelj is a quick player who makes great runs and moves tirelessly on the pitch in order to dictate the play. In addition, Milan Badelj has a strong and precise shot on goal from long and close distance.

 

Milan Badelj is also an aggressive player who can get stuck in and is capable of winning almost every duel with opposition players, and that's why he can play as a defensive midfielder as well. Badelj could improve his defensive coordination in order to be a more complete player as he has the ability to do so. Badelj also needs to significantly improve his aerial and heading ability, as he admits, to a more sufficient level in order to play at the highest European level of football in his position.

 

Personality: Milan Badelj is a very intelligent, kind, nice and easy going person who is well liked in the dressing room. Badelj has been at Dinamo Zagreb since the age of 16-years-old, and up until now has never had a confrontation with someone inside or outside the club. He is a true professional who takes his career very seriously and lives a professional sportsman’s style of life. According to publications in Croatia, he is also a very serious candidate to become the captain of Dinamo Zagreb . The club's fans adore him.

 

Value: Milan Badelj ’s market value getting is increasing from match to match. According to IMscouting.com Badelj is valued at four million euros. The midfield schemer has long been tracked by English giants Manchester United, whose scouts watched him several times, German sides Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen also kept an eye at the player. Badelj's contract at Dinamo Zagreb expires at the end of season 2011/2012.

 

Injuries: Milan Badelj has not suffered any major injury up until now in his career, but the player suffers from Asthma, this did not bother him up until now during any match and it doesn't create any problems for him to regularly manage a footballer’s training regime.

 

[Bob0]

Jedan od mojih omiljenih nogometaša...Velika budućnost Hrvatske repke

[juanes]

da, ali za sada nema ga bilic u prvom planu, ali zato igra kod Ladića svaku utakmicu

inace dobar nogometaš