Good evening folks,
As a diehard Dinamo Zagreb fan since the 1970's, I thought I would sign up to give you guys some perspective on your latest signing.
For mine, he is arguably Dinamo's best-ever attacking footballer in European competitions. You have got your hands on an absolute gem of a footballer at an almost bargain-basement price.
And it's not just the eye-popping goal scoring exploits against top-calibre opposition (as 'niceandfriendly's' video links above will attest to, he doesn't do tap-ins a la Lineker) - it's the gut-busting runs in the 90th minute - in both directions - as Mislav is the anti-Ronaldo who will run just as hard towards his own goal to chase down and stop the opposing teams' right-back from creating a goal-scoring opportunity as he is in seeking that last-gasp winner when most of the other guys on the field are going at walking pace.
His unselfish, team-first attitude is infectious. The way he chases, pressures and harries centre-halves trying to play the ball out calmly is almost unnatural in what is a low-intensity, third-rate Croatian league. Suffice to say that he will continue in that fashion playing in the premier league.
There is zero ego with this guy. I think it is not a stretch to say that he is possibly the ultimate team player. And when you are in a relegation scrap - this is exactly the type of guy you need!
From a technical standpoint, he functions best as an outside left in a 4-3-3, but he will adapt to almost any system. It is however important to remember that he is a right-footed player, so don't expect a left-sided Beckham to regularly beat his man and get a conventional cross into the box. That said, he will always try to cut in onto his right foot and look for opportunities to assist his striker/s and goal-scoring mids - unless of course his first instinct tells him to launch one of his ballistic missiles into the far top corner. He is an intelligent footballer who rarely wastes an opportunity in the final third of the pitch to threaten the opponent's goal.
The question/s now is/are - will he fit into your current system and will the manager know how to get the best out of him? And, most importantly - can he help you avoid relegation? Unfortunately, only time will tell. I suspect you will need to sign another 1 or 2 players of similar quality in your weakest positions at a minimum. Even peak Messi would struggle to get your lot out of the bottom 3 on his own. That said, I am certain that this lad will make a positive difference.
I normally couldn't give a flying rat's clacker on how an ex-player performs once he has transferred from my club. This is a massive loss for us and it hurts.
But this guy is a special player - character wise first and foremost. And he has given us over 4 years of phenomenal service. He almost single-handedly took us to a UEFA Cup quarter final, where we were only narrowly beaten by the eventual winners Villareal. And yes - he scored against them too! So only a right royal cunt passing themselves off as a Dinamo fan would wish him anything lest than the very best.
And it is for that very reason that I - along with a substantial number of Dinamo Zagreb fans - will be keeping a close eye on Southampton and hoping that Mislav can help you avoid relegation. One thing is for certain - he will get it done or die trying!
Good luck Saints!