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ANALYSIS
By Chris Myson
After a quiet start to the transfer window, Manchester City have snapped up their second signing in three days with the purchase of defender Stefan Savic.
The 20-year-old Montenegro international signs from Partizan Belgrade for around £6 million just after manager Roberto Mancini strengthened another area of his back line with the more high-profile arrival of Gael Clichy from rivals Arsenal.
But what will Savic – a relative unknown quantity compared to the usual calibre of Eastlands arrivals – bring to City over the course of his four-year deal? Does he have what it takes to cut it at the level City are expected to play at?
Goal.com tells you all you need to know about the newcomer with the help of two Serbian football experts.
Rise to prominence
Savic was a youth product at small Montenegrin club FK Brskovo, after which he got his professional break by joining BSK Borca in the Serbian Second Division, for whom he made his debut in 2008-09 season.
His first campaign coincided with Borca – by no means one of the larger clubs in Serbia with a ground capacity of just 2,500 – achieving promotion to the top-flight.
Journalist Michael Yokhin explains: “He started at Brskovo and then got what was at the time a surprising offer from BSK Borca.
“Once there, he found very good training conditions and good coaches, who helped him to develop very quickly. He was actually a Serie A and Inter fan as a youngster, but his idol was always a player from their great rivals - Alessandro Nesta.”
The following season was when the starlet really announced himself on the domestic stage, slotting in as a regular in defence and becoming a standout performer as his side avoided relegation from the SuperLiga – attracting attention from across Europe as a result.
Age: 20
Contract: 2015
Caps: 6
Position: CB/RB
Value: £6m
2010-11 apps: 31 (1 gl)
Current Form: Progressing fast
In five words: Ambitious and calm under pressure
AC Milan, Roma, Liverpool, CSKA Moscow and Shakhtar Donetsk were all tracking the young defender, but it was Arsene Wenger – alerted by his Bosnian right-hand man Boro Primorac – who was most keen and he took Savic for a 10-day trial at the Emirates before deciding a move was not right at the time.
After the switch failed to materialise, Savic was snapped up by Serbian giants Partizan on a long-term contract in the summer and instantly became a regular there, featuring in the Champions League against the Gunners as well as helping his side to a domestic double, including the retention of their league title.
During this impressive club season, he also made his senior international debut for Montenegro and later established himself as a regular, playing his part in holding England to a 0-0 draw at Wembley - all of which prompted City to swoop once the transfer season arrived.
Key attributes
In many ways, Savic goes against the mould of the recent successful Balkan defenders such as Nemanja Vidic at Manchester United, Branislav Ivanovic of Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund’s Neven Subotic.
While those players have muscularity, fearless commitment and strong tackles at the forefront of their game, the youngster is not currently the biggest built despite having height on his side (he stands at 6ft 1in).
However, Savic is a superb reader of the game and relies on the calmness and maturity of a player beyond his years to perform any defensive duties – he is not a player likely to be seen lunging in or making many rash challenges.
Strengths
•Excellent positioning and marking ability
•Can read the game extremely well with maturity beyond his years
•Has impressive technique which means he is able to pass accurately or carry the ball out of defence
Weaknesses
•Critics say he currently lacks enough strength to play in the Premier League
•Can get caught out by a striker who has a quick turn of pace
•Yet to pick up much experience at the highest levels of the game
As well as that, he is capable of using impressive technique to remain comfortable once in possession and starting up his team’s attacks through accurate passes or carrying the ball out of defence.
Off the pitch and mentally, his low-key grounding in the game seems to have served him well on his rapid rise to Premier League and international riches.
Balkans expert Luke Matthews said: “Savic is level-headed and determined to succeed. The fact that a dream move to Arsenal broke down yet he didn't let that affect his game says a lot.
“Instead, he moved to Partizan, kept his head down and had a very impressive season, playing a pivotal role in helping the club retain the title. The fact that Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov [also from the Balkans] are at the club should see him settle in easily.”
It remains to be seen what immediate plans Mancini has for Savic in a season where he takes his side into the uncharted waters of Champions League football as well as trying to produce a genuine league title challenge.
Opportunities in the biggest games and competitions could be few and far between early on, meaning a loan switch isn’t out of the question, but the domestic cups and lower profile league fixtures should provide an opportunity for the newcomer to experience the English game.
"Arsenal could have signed him for £2.5m last summer but let him go which they will be kicking themselves about now. A £6m fee represents a major bargain in an inflated market."
Whatever the immediate future holds, though, a long-term deal indicates the club’s faith in Savic’s ability, with many experts tipping him to have a stellar future.
While he is comfortable playing at right-back, it is expected that due to his impressive reputation and attributes, he will be developed by City in the centre of defence, meaning he will provide competition for the likes of Vincent Kompany, Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott.
Balkans expert Luke Matthews feels City have made a smart buy and tips the player to be at the top of the world game within three seasons, causing Arsenal to seriously regret their decision from just 12 months ago as a result.
He added: “I seriously believe City have made an astute purchase. Arsenal could have signed him for £2.5m last summer but let him go in the end, which I'm sure they will be kicking themselves about now.
“I really do expect Savic to become one of the top defenders in the world in the next three years. He has the potential to become world class, so £6m represents a major bargain.
“Think back to when United signed Vidic; he may be younger but I believe in a few years' time we will be looking at the deal in a similar way - a fantastic piece of business in an inflated market.
“It will be interesting to see if City recruit any more centre-backs this summer as this will indicate whether they view Savic as one for the future or ready for first-team action now.
“Personally, I believe they won't and he will become a fundamental part of City's plans to become one of Europe's elite.
“With Toure's ban and Lescott possibly not looking Champions League class, I think we could potentially even see him break into the first team this year if he performs – he should complement Vincent Kompany well.”
Savic certainly arrives in the English game with the ingredients to succeed and with the luxury of having further time to develop his craft at one of the fastest-growing clubs in world football.
A few years down the line when they are looking back on this signing, City may be reflecting on one of the most important captures since their spending spree began.
By Chris Myson
After a quiet start to the transfer window, Manchester City have snapped up their second signing in three days with the purchase of defender Stefan Savic.
The 20-year-old Montenegro international signs from Partizan Belgrade for around £6 million just after manager Roberto Mancini strengthened another area of his back line with the more high-profile arrival of Gael Clichy from rivals Arsenal.
But what will Savic – a relative unknown quantity compared to the usual calibre of Eastlands arrivals – bring to City over the course of his four-year deal? Does he have what it takes to cut it at the level City are expected to play at?
Goal.com tells you all you need to know about the newcomer with the help of two Serbian football experts.
Rise to prominence
Savic was a youth product at small Montenegrin club FK Brskovo, after which he got his professional break by joining BSK Borca in the Serbian Second Division, for whom he made his debut in 2008-09 season.
His first campaign coincided with Borca – by no means one of the larger clubs in Serbia with a ground capacity of just 2,500 – achieving promotion to the top-flight.
Journalist Michael Yokhin explains: “He started at Brskovo and then got what was at the time a surprising offer from BSK Borca.
“Once there, he found very good training conditions and good coaches, who helped him to develop very quickly. He was actually a Serie A and Inter fan as a youngster, but his idol was always a player from their great rivals - Alessandro Nesta.”
The following season was when the starlet really announced himself on the domestic stage, slotting in as a regular in defence and becoming a standout performer as his side avoided relegation from the SuperLiga – attracting attention from across Europe as a result.
Age: 20
Contract: 2015
Caps: 6
Position: CB/RB
Value: £6m
2010-11 apps: 31 (1 gl)
Current Form: Progressing fast
In five words: Ambitious and calm under pressure
AC Milan, Roma, Liverpool, CSKA Moscow and Shakhtar Donetsk were all tracking the young defender, but it was Arsene Wenger – alerted by his Bosnian right-hand man Boro Primorac – who was most keen and he took Savic for a 10-day trial at the Emirates before deciding a move was not right at the time.
After the switch failed to materialise, Savic was snapped up by Serbian giants Partizan on a long-term contract in the summer and instantly became a regular there, featuring in the Champions League against the Gunners as well as helping his side to a domestic double, including the retention of their league title.
During this impressive club season, he also made his senior international debut for Montenegro and later established himself as a regular, playing his part in holding England to a 0-0 draw at Wembley - all of which prompted City to swoop once the transfer season arrived.
Key attributes
In many ways, Savic goes against the mould of the recent successful Balkan defenders such as Nemanja Vidic at Manchester United, Branislav Ivanovic of Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund’s Neven Subotic.
While those players have muscularity, fearless commitment and strong tackles at the forefront of their game, the youngster is not currently the biggest built despite having height on his side (he stands at 6ft 1in).
However, Savic is a superb reader of the game and relies on the calmness and maturity of a player beyond his years to perform any defensive duties – he is not a player likely to be seen lunging in or making many rash challenges.
Strengths
•Excellent positioning and marking ability
•Can read the game extremely well with maturity beyond his years
•Has impressive technique which means he is able to pass accurately or carry the ball out of defence
Weaknesses
•Critics say he currently lacks enough strength to play in the Premier League
•Can get caught out by a striker who has a quick turn of pace
•Yet to pick up much experience at the highest levels of the game
As well as that, he is capable of using impressive technique to remain comfortable once in possession and starting up his team’s attacks through accurate passes or carrying the ball out of defence.
Off the pitch and mentally, his low-key grounding in the game seems to have served him well on his rapid rise to Premier League and international riches.
Balkans expert Luke Matthews said: “Savic is level-headed and determined to succeed. The fact that a dream move to Arsenal broke down yet he didn't let that affect his game says a lot.
“Instead, he moved to Partizan, kept his head down and had a very impressive season, playing a pivotal role in helping the club retain the title. The fact that Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov [also from the Balkans] are at the club should see him settle in easily.”
It remains to be seen what immediate plans Mancini has for Savic in a season where he takes his side into the uncharted waters of Champions League football as well as trying to produce a genuine league title challenge.
Opportunities in the biggest games and competitions could be few and far between early on, meaning a loan switch isn’t out of the question, but the domestic cups and lower profile league fixtures should provide an opportunity for the newcomer to experience the English game.
"Arsenal could have signed him for £2.5m last summer but let him go which they will be kicking themselves about now. A £6m fee represents a major bargain in an inflated market."
Whatever the immediate future holds, though, a long-term deal indicates the club’s faith in Savic’s ability, with many experts tipping him to have a stellar future.
While he is comfortable playing at right-back, it is expected that due to his impressive reputation and attributes, he will be developed by City in the centre of defence, meaning he will provide competition for the likes of Vincent Kompany, Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott.
Balkans expert Luke Matthews feels City have made a smart buy and tips the player to be at the top of the world game within three seasons, causing Arsenal to seriously regret their decision from just 12 months ago as a result.
He added: “I seriously believe City have made an astute purchase. Arsenal could have signed him for £2.5m last summer but let him go in the end, which I'm sure they will be kicking themselves about now.
“I really do expect Savic to become one of the top defenders in the world in the next three years. He has the potential to become world class, so £6m represents a major bargain.
“Think back to when United signed Vidic; he may be younger but I believe in a few years' time we will be looking at the deal in a similar way - a fantastic piece of business in an inflated market.
“It will be interesting to see if City recruit any more centre-backs this summer as this will indicate whether they view Savic as one for the future or ready for first-team action now.
“Personally, I believe they won't and he will become a fundamental part of City's plans to become one of Europe's elite.
“With Toure's ban and Lescott possibly not looking Champions League class, I think we could potentially even see him break into the first team this year if he performs – he should complement Vincent Kompany well.”
Savic certainly arrives in the English game with the ingredients to succeed and with the luxury of having further time to develop his craft at one of the fastest-growing clubs in world football.
A few years down the line when they are looking back on this signing, City may be reflecting on one of the most important captures since their spending spree began.
