Dinamo Zagreb coach Zeljko Kopic is thrilled to see the ‘special’ Mislav Orsic stay put after Premier League outfit Burnley missed out on a January move, speaking to Vecernji.
Only one team in England’s top flight have scored fewer goals than Burnley’s 16 this season.
The last thing Sean Dyche needed, then, was to see his star striker Chris Wood leave in the midst of a relegation battle – let alone to fellow strugglers Newcastle United.
In Wout Weghorst, however, Burnley have not only brought in a readymade, 6ft 6ins replacement. They have found someone who, in almost every single sense of the word, represents a sizeable upgrade on the departed Wood.
Unfortunately, the prolific Weghorst won’t be forming a new-look, potentially thrilling frontline with Maxwel Cornet and Mislav Orsic at Turf Moor.
Will Wout Weghorst fire Burnley to safety?
Burnley were confident of securing an £8 million deal for Orsic, only for the deal to fall apart at the eleventh hour over the weekend (Lancs Live).
“We should emphasise the great efforts of Mislav and his agent, the leading people at the club. They all took their work seriously in order for Orsic to stay at Dinamo,” says Kopic.
“Mislav is a special player. Of course we are happy to see him stay. We all know how important he is to us on the pitch, but also in the dressing room.
“He is a favourite among the fans. Children see him as a symbol of Dinamo. We are proud that he stays with us.”
Mislav Orsic; a Dinamo legend?
Strong words. But Orsic is deserving of such praise.
Especially when you consider that he was responsible for perhaps the greatest achievement in Dinamo’s modern history. That iconic hat-trick to knock Tottenham Hotspur out of the 2020/21 Europa League certainly won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
“We did not say goodbye,” adds team-mate Josip Misic. “We are together in training all the time, and of course everyone in the dressing room is happy that Orsic stays.
“He means a lot to us.”
Orsic has scored 10 goals and set up five more in 32 games this season. He came close to joining a Premier League club two years ago too.
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