CHELSEA and Liverpool transfer target Josko Gvardiol appears as uncompromising a defender as they come – sporting a brutish facial mask to protect a broken nose suffered before the World Cup.
Flying into a last-ditch tackle to thwart Romelu Lukaku, as his country knocked out Belgium in the group stages he showed his courage and tenacity on the pitch – with the interception as good a moment you’ll see in Qatar.
Battle-hardened Josko Gvardiol has been Croatia’s standout star in the World CupGetty
An emotional Gvardiol hugs his mum in the stands
EPAA goal-saving last-ditch tackle against Belgium on Romelu Lukaku has been one of the great moments of the World Cup[/caption]
However, an unmasked Gvardiol, who is just 20, dropped his battled-hardened demeanour when Croatia sealed qualification for the knockout stages.
He ran to the stands to greet his mum, and while tears streamed down his face gave her the biggest of hugs.
The heart-warming moment was even addressed by Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic in a press conference, who revealed it was “a true image” of his team.
“When I saw this photo, it warmed my heart,” he said.
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“And that’s why Josko is one of the best defenders in the world. You can’t be a good fighter if you’re not complete as a person, if you don’t have all the feelings.
“I congratulate his mother for raising such a son. Such a man who is a top footballer and at the same time a modest man is the result of upbringing and faith.
“It is very important. Such values are very important to us, and I also represent them.”
From Croatia to Germany
Gvardiol caught the footballing bug when he was just 7.
His dad, an amateur player, took him to NK Tresnjevka where his passion for the game and determination saw him move to Dinamo Zagreb just three years later.
He learned how to defend, though, playing further forward.
“I played as a striker as a child and that helps me to know the movements of the strikers,” he revealed.
Gvardiol began to stand out for the Croatian giants during the 2018-19 season, helping the club reach the UEFA Youth League quarter-finals. They were knocked out on penalties by Chelsea, but scouts were aware of his special talent.
A year later and he had broken into Dinamo’s first team, helping the club clinch the league title.
By 2021, the RB Leipzig – a group known for developing youngsters – splashed the cash to bring Gvardiol to the Bundesliga.
Upon signing, Gvardiol insisted: “I’m very happy to be able to make this step to RB Leipzig. The club is among the best in Europe and has a very clear style of play.
“As a young player, it was important for me to come to a club that can help me take the next step in my career.
“That is exactly what RB Leipzig is all about. The club has shown several times how players can develop and improve here.”
The deal worth £18million, plus £7million in add-ons, now looks a steal – with reports suggesting clubs are going to have to pay a fee in the region of £80million.
That’s after just one and half seasons in Germany, where the left-footed centre back has already established himself as one of the best defenders of his generation – just 66 games into his career in Saxony.
Gvardiol launches into a tackle for Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Youth LeagueGetty
Versatile Gvardiol moved to Leipzig in 2021 for a fee of £25mGetty
‘Little Pep’
Gvardiol has been likened to Real Madrid star David Alaba in style because he’s left-footed and is equally as dominant playing at full-back, as he is at centre back or in midfield.
On occasion, he has played further forward and shouldn’t just considered a stopper.
Amusingly, he is nicknamed ‘Little Pep’, after Man City manager Pep Guardiola.
But he’s not the sort of deep-lying playmaker the Barcelona legend was known as.
The similarities are simply because the names sound similar.
Highly-coveted
Nickname aside, Pep is said to be a big fan.
Manchester City were linked with him, until they switched their sights to a cheaper alternative Manuel Akanji.
Liverpool, Chelsea, and now Tottenham are all reportedly in the hunt for his services.
“Everyone is talking about this boy,” former Bayern and Croatian legend Ivica Olic said.
“All the top clubs in Europe know him. Gvardiol is an extraordinary talent.
“He can play great long balls, is a fine technician and is physically very strong.”
ReutersGvardiol has been nicknamed ‘Little Pep’[/caption]
Europe’s top clubs are all willing to pay big money for GvardiolGetty
Starring in Qatar has done Gvardiol no harm in raising his profile further more on the world stage.
Should he take Croatia further than the last-16, expect that price-tag to continue to rise.