The talented Croatian arrived at Everton this summer and is rated highly by his new boss.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman has been speaking to reporters ahead of his side’s match against Tottenham Hotspur, with his comments published on the Toffees’ official Twitter account.
Among the topics being discussed was new arrival Nikola Vlasic, who signed for Everton from Hadjuk Split at the end of the transfer window, and it is clear just how highly the Dutchman rates his new addition.
“Nicola Vlasic was on our list because he’s one of the biggest talents in Europe, in my opinion,” Koeman said. “He’s also impressed us in the two games.”
The matches the Everton boss is referring to are the recent Europa League qualifiers between the Blues and Hadjuk and, while the former ran out comfortable winners, Vlasic caught the eye on both occasions.
The 19-year-old is rated so highly by Koeman that it seems he was always going to be bid for him, but perhaps coming face-to-face with a player he clearly admires forced him to move quickly in a bid to beat other potential suitors to his signature.
If that was the case, it worked, and now Everton can benefit from the versatile attacker’s skill-set as they mount a challenge in four competitions.
Vlasic is predominantly an attacking midfielder, although he can also operate on either flank, and it will be interesting to see where Koeman uses his new weapon in the short term, especially with Ademola lookman also pushing for chances in Europe and the EFL Cup.
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