Former Stuttgart chief Sven Mislintat once likened Borna Sosa’s pinpoint delivery from wide areas to that of David Beckham; arguably the finest crosser of the ball European football has seen over the last 30 years or so.
During Stuttgart’s vital 3-2 win at fellow relegation battlers Bochum last weekend, however, Sosa channelled another generation-defining playmaker with Real Madrid on his CV. There was more than a hint of Luka Modric in the way his fellow Croatia international set up Serhou Guirassy’s 60th minute tap-in at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion.
As the ball drifted out to the rampaging left-back, Sosa contorted his body and curved a quite glorious first-time cross back into the area with the outside of his boot. Call it a ‘trivela’. Call it a piece of Modric-esque magic, a la that Euro 2020 stunner against Scotland.
Maybe, just maybe, call it the moment when Stuttgart launched their great escape; a dramatic 3-2 triumph moving Sebastien Hoeness’ side above Schalke and Hertha Berlin. Out of the automatic relegation spots.
Tottenham are in talks to sign Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa
“We knew in advance that Borna Sosa can cross well,” Bochum coach Tomas Letsch sighs, via Revier Sport.
But knowing about it, and stopping it, are two very different things. That was Sosa’s tenth, and possibly best, assist of the season. Few have more than his 29 since Stuttgart returned to the Bundesliga back in 2020.
Guirassy may have stepped in impressively for the departed Sasa Kalajdzic up top but Sosa, who has reportedly held initial talks with Tottenham Hotspur regarding a summer move to the Premier League, should be far harder to replace.
Hannover’s Derrik Kohn, the rumoured successor, will certainly have big shoes to fill. Sosa is Stuttgart’s Joker in the pack and, if he is their Heath Ledger, then Kohn may soon discover how Jared Leto felt. Suffering in the shadow of his brilliant predecessor.
“This summer could be the time for a new breakthrough,” Dalmatinski Portal quotes Sosa; a star performer as Croatia finished third at the Qatar World Cup in 2022.
“I hope to stay healthy until the end of the season. And I hope to be able to come to an agreement with the club. Personally, I would like to experience the Premier League once. It is the best league in the world.”
With Christian Falk reporting that talks with Tottenham are underway, via Caught Offside, Sosa’s dream move may soon become a reality. More dazzling, defence-splitting assists like Sunday’s in Bochum, meanwhile, and Modric’s status as North London’s favourite Croatian could soon be under threat.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
