Jakov-Anton Vasilj
Country: Croatia
Date of birth: 02/06/2002 (17 years old)
Place of birth: Zadar (Croatia)
Height: —
Youth career: NK Zadar, Hajduk Split, Dinamo Zagreb (since 2017)
Current club: Dinamo Zagreb
Squad number: —
Current national team: Croatia U-19
Position: central midfielder, attacking midfielder, winger
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification elite round (3/0), UEFA Youth League 2019/2020 (2/0)
Contract until: 30.06.2021
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Piotr Zieliński
Strengths:
– passing 
– vision
– technique
– pace
– creativity 
– defensive contribution
– dribbling
– versatility
Weaknesses:
– still has margin to improve the consistency of his decision making on the ball
Style of play:
– modern box-to-box midfielder
– player with good body mass ratio, physical strength, power, stamina and natural fitness who feels comfortable in contact situations
– creative player with very good technical ability, 1vs1 short-dribbling skills, close ball control, fast direction shifts in possession and vision to make through passes to the teammates providing dynamism to the team’s last offensive third plays
– well-rounded, hard-working team player
– able to make effective late runs into opposite penalty box lurking for a chance to exploit his shooting skills
– equally useful in combinational and counterattacking style
– creative at his off-the-ball movements, and likes to find the best space to receive the ball with good timings, linking up the team’s midfield and attack
– able to deliver pinpoint passes and crosses
– displays a natural technique to take fast decisions in tight spaces/press-resistant player
– good reaction to the loss of the ball with good aggressive attitude, and good recovery of his position
– decent ambidexterity using his left weaker foot
– competent set-piece taker
Vasilj charges with the ball at his feet and then makes a line-breaking pass to his teammate.
Vasilj loses his marker with a great body balance and then makes a great run through the middle of the pitch.
He is best suited to playing as:
Central midfielder in 4-3-3.
Video:
Achievements:
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League summary (as for 3 February 2020):
No senior team appearances yet.
Description:
Jakov-Anton Vasilj was born in Zadar – Luka Modrić’s hometown. He joined famous Dinamo Zagreb youth academy from Hajduk Split in 2017. He is regarded as one of the most talented young players of his generation in Croatia along with Jurica Jurčec, Gabriel Groznica, Stipe Biuk and Josko Gvardiol.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
8/10 
First team material in a top European club.
Links: