‘Disappears’: Midfielder warned he must ‘improve’ to join Everton or Leeds

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Premier League target Djordje Mihailovic must improve his physical strength and decision-making if he’s to join Leeds United, Everton or Newcastle United, former USA ace Charlie Davies tells MLS Soccer. 

Towards the end of 2020, Montreal Impact paid around £800,000 to sign Mihailovic from Chicago Fire. The deal, according to then Impact-coach and France legend Thierry Henry, was a ‘no-brainer’. 

It feels unlikely that Mihailovic’s suitors this side of the Atlantic will be quite so bullish. Because, while there are few doubts about the 24-year-old’s talent, signing players from Major League Soccer still carries a substantial element of risk. 

Miguel Almiron, for instance, was arguably the MLS’s most influential attacker when he joined Newcastle United for a club-record £20 million.

But in 99 Premier League games, the Paraguayan has mustered just eight goals and three assists. 

Compare that to his record in America – 21 goals and 21 assists in 62 games – and you get the point. If Mihailovic is to put pen to paper with a Leeds, an Everton or a Newcastle, he’ll have to step up his game quite considerably.  

Is Djordje Mihailovic ready for the Premier League?

“Where he needs to improve is his shot selection,” explains Davies. “So he’s had 59 shots but only 15 on target. You’ve got to be a little bit better with that.  

“Because as a midfielder, when you’re controlling the game, you cannot give up possession in taking the wrong shot, making the wrong choice.”

Furthermore, the pace and the power of the Premier League has claimed many a victim over the years. And it’s no criticism to suggest that Juan Seba Veron, Andriy Shevchenko and Robinho were a level or ten above Mihailovic when they arrived in English soil.

“Then for me, it’s the strength on the ball,” Davies adds. “Sometimes it looks like when things do get physical, he shuts down.

“There are times when I’ve seen him, when he gets in a groove, teams can come and get under his skin and then you start to see him disappear slowly within the game.” 

According to Jeunes Footeaux, the likes of Bayer Leverkusen, Roma, Nice and Atalanta are watching the Florida-born 23-year-old too.