Dinamo Zagreb coach Ante Cacic is not expecting Mislav Orsic to return to the Croatia capital despite his slow start to life in the Premier League with Southampton, speaking to tPortal.
Orsic is only six weeks into his Saints career and, already, some rather probing questions are being asked about his future.
According to Sportske Novosti, Dinamo could explore the possibility of bringing a talismanic presence back to the Stadio Maksimir in the summer, presuming Southampton are willing to cut their losses on a man who has played just six minutes of league football so far.
Cacic, however, is not getting his hopes up just yet.
“Orsic’s return? I read that somewhere. I don’t think it’s realistic for him to return in the summer transfer window,” says the Dinamo coach.
“I’m convinced that Orsic will show why Southampton bought him. He went there without preparation to a team that is in a competitive rhythm. Knowing Orsic, I can say that, with his quality, he will show why the English bought him, and that he will take advantage of his opportunity.”
Mislav Orsic struggling at Southampton
Orsic was left out of Southampton’s 1-0 win at Chelsea on Saturday. Nathan Jones, prior to his sacking, did admit that the Croatia international would need some time to adapt, preaching patience in a 30-year-old who recently went two months without playing a competitive club game either side of the Qatar World Cup.
There are certainly no doubts about Orsic’s quality. Or his finishing ability, for that matter. He broke the 20-goal barrier in three straight season at Dinamo Zagreb. There was also that infamous hat-trick which knocked Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur out of Europe back in 2021.
“I’m very happy for him. He’s earned it,” former Dinamo boss Damir Krznar said at the start of January, before Orsic’s £8 million switch. “He’s a great professional, a player you have to drive off the field. He is really easy to work with, and he also has great quality. I don’t remember anyone scoring so many big, crucial goals for Dinamo like him.
“(Losing Orsic) is not a good moment for the club. He will show his worth, even in the best league in the world.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
