Rio Ferdinand has told BBC Sport’s coverage of Croatia’s penalty-shootout win over Japan at the World Cup that Tottenham and Chelsea transfer target Josko Gvardiol has a “wand of a left foot” and plenty of “pace” in defence.
Gvardiol, 20, has been one of the best young stars at the World Cup so far. Against Belgium, he produced a mammoth performance that saw Croatia keep a clean sheet against Belgium. A crucial point, qualifying for the knockout stages.
On Monday, he was not particularly at his brilliant best. But the Leipzig defender did enough to help his country beat Japan, on penalties, setting up a quarter-final against Brazil. Gvardiol’s form is certainly alerting the gaze of admirers.
Italian site Corriere Dello Sport claim that Tottenham and Chelsea want Gvardiol – but he will cost £68m. Ferdinand was full of praise before the last 16 tie took place. He praised his pace, passing, and his tackle on Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku.
!He’s been my favourite defender to watch in the tournament so far. Great presence, happy for the battle, physical, and he’s got a wand of a left foot. He’s got pace as well. all those attributes are what you need as a modern-day defender.
“Can play the ball over various distances with pinpoint accuracy, comfortable on either foot. Aggression, fearlessness, aware, everything about him is positive. That tackle on Lukaku is one of the tackles of the tournament,” Gvardiol said.
Tottenham and Chelsea target Gvardiol has a wand of a left foot
Is he worth £68million? He has only played 65 games for Leipzig. Of course, he has clocked up more than 50 games for Dinamo Zagreb – and won his 16th cap for Croatia on Monday. So, he is still very inexperienced, but he is 20 after all.
Clubs have to pay through the nose to sign players of his quality, at his age. Gvardiol is a top, top player and has the potential to become one of the world’s best defenders. Tottenham or Chelsea? It might depend who gets top four.
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