Nikola Vlasic admits he was ‘unhappy’ during his time at Premier League outfit West Ham United while refusing to rule out a return to Russia, speaking to Championat.
Vlasic’s CV certainly makes for intriguing reading.
The Croatia international, either side of ill-fated spells at Everton and West Ham, established himself as one of his country’s most exciting young talents at Hajduk Split, was named the Russian Footballer of the Year during his time at CSKA Moscow, and is now making a name for himself as a genuine match-winning talent in Italy’s Serie A.
Flopping in England, thriving pretty much anywhere and everywhere else.
“Sometimes, it happens. I was there for nine months. I didn’t play, (and) I was unhappy. Therefore, I tried to go where I would get playing time,” says Vlasic, explaining his decision to join Torino on loan four months ago.
“But I’m still a West Ham player, let’s see what happens in the summer.”
Nikola Vlasic is shining on loan at Torino from West Ham United
The 25-year-old playmaker started just six Premier League games under David Moyes, scoring once and failing to provide a single assist. Compare that to Vlasic’s numbers in Italy; four goals and two assists in 14 starts already.
No wonder Torino are already looking to trigger the £12 million option-to-buy clause in Vlasic’s contract; Granata coach Ivan Juric labelling the one-time CSKA Moscow talisman an ‘amazing talent’.
Vlasic, meanwhile, admits that he may be open to a second spell in Russia, having played perhaps the best football of his career in the capital.
“Of course! I love Moscow. I have only good memories of CSKA,” adds Vlasic, who set West Ham back £25 million in the summer of 2021.
“Who knows what will happen in the future. But now, of course, I’m a fan of CSKA. I watched the game with Spartak and the matches with Zenit. When I get a chance, I definitely watch (CSKA play).”
Vlasic featured during Croatia’s nerve-shredding round-of-16 victory over Japan at the Qatar World Cup on Monday. He scored one of his side’s penalties in the shoot-out.
Croatia, runners up in 2018, will now face tournament favourites Brazil in the quarter-finals on Friday.
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