Since joining RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021, Josko Gvardiol has been touted as one of Europe’s hottest prospects. Now 21 years of age and coming off the back of playing a crucial role for Croatia and reaching a World Cup semi-final, the defender can look forward to a summer of being highly sought after by Europe’s top clubs.
Josko Gvardiol Is “One of the Most Wanted Players Around Europe”
Joško Gvardiol, one of the most wanted players around Europe. Manchester City want him — Guardiola, big fan and he’s in #MCFC list. ⭐️🇭🇷
Liverpool explored conditions of the deal in January, Chelsea keen on signing him since last summer. Open race.
🎥 https://t.co/BDZqrEKxZS pic.twitter.com/tF1a9rvony
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 6, 2023
Josko Gvardiol Ready for a Big Move
The Croatian has asserted himself as a serious talent this season as a massively talented ball-playing defender. He averages 87 passes per 90 in the Bundesliga this season, putting him in the top 1% of centre-backs in Europe.
His defensive and leadership ability has also led to Gvardiol gaining plaudits, as he utilised the platform of the World Cup to show his solidity and composure to a massive audience.
English Giants in Pursuit
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Leipzig centre-back “will become the most expensive centre-back ever”, going for over £80 million as he has been dubbed “one of the most wanted players”. Clubs such as Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City are reportedly interested, with a massive bidding war expected to ensue in the summer. But where will he end up, and which club would be the best fit for him?
Manchester City
At first glance, Gvardiol looks like a perfect fit for the Citizens. He has many of the characteristics a Pep Guardiola side of the past would be recognised for. Great technical ability, strong mobility and a defensive presence at the back. There is a strong suggestion that Guardiola favours the Croatian as the successor to Aymeric Laporte should the Spaniard look to leave this summer.
Having said that, it should be noted that the manager has recently started to favour bigger defenders such as Ruben Dias. The Leipzig man comes in at just six feet tall, but as he would be considered a genuine long-term prospect for Guardiola’s side, there should be no hesitation from City to buy him if the opportunity arises.
Chelsea
With Chelsea spending money like a Football Manager career mode, it would be silly not to consider the possibility of a young, highly sought-after prospect joining the Blues for what fans are hoping is a revolution at Stamford Bridge. Despite signing Wesley Fofana for £80 million just last summer, there is a strong chance they look to spend yet again in the upcoming window.
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The shoes of Thiago Silva will be nearly impossible to fill, but someone with the presence of Gvardiol may well be their best bet, and with the Brazilian now being 38 years old there is certainly an uncomfortable question that Chelsea fans will not want to answer: who replaces Silva?
Liverpool
Despite the potential glory of playing for current Premier League champions Manchester City and the appeal of playing for owners so invested in the club as Graham Potter’s side, it is Liverpool that is odds on favourite to win this race. The Reds may not appear as the powerhouse they seemed just a year ago, but as a club in transition bathed in history and still a European force, it makes sense as to why Gvardiol’s future may well lie with the multiple-time Champions League winners.
While the allure and magic of Merseyside success all make sense, there may be a question raised over how much sense it makes from a footballing perspective. The defender is strongly left-footed and a left-sided centre-back, and his introduction to Jurgen Klopp’s squad would likely lead to Virgil van Dijk moving across to right centre-back. How this would affect the dynamic of the club is up for debate, but it may well be part of a much-needed adjustment that the team could use to return to the top of the Premier League.
