Alen Halilovic: Scout Report

Alen Halilovi? is a Croatian footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Dinamo Zagreb in the Prva HNL and Croatia U-17. Halilovic is both the youngest player who has ever played in the Croatian Prva HNL, and the first division’s youngest-ever goalscorer. Alen Halilovic is considered one of the greatest and most impressive youth talents in European football.

Profile

Alen Halilovi? was born on the 18th of June, 1996 (16 years old) in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Dubrovnik is one of the world’s most beautiful cities and is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites/cities. Alen Halilovic is the son of former Bosnian international Sejad Halilovi?, who was born in Klokotnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Halilovi? started his career playing at youth level for Dinamo Zagreb. In June 2012, he signed a professional contract with Dinamo. On 27 September 2012, he made his debut for the first team in an “Eternal derby” 3–1 win over Hajduk Split, when he replaced Sammir for the final ten minutes of the match. This made him the youngest debutant in the history of Dinamo Zagreb, at the age of 16 years and 101 days. In the next round match against Slaven Belupo, he once again came off the bench and scored the final goal in a 4–1 victory. This made him the youngest goalscorer in the history of the league at the age of 16 years and 112 days, breaking the record set in November 2010 by his teammate Mateo Kova?i?.

Halilovi? had this to say after scoring his first goal:

I feel great. It was seen how we were motivated for this match, we dominated for 90 minutes and the number of opportunities and we were the better team. The goal? It fell to me well.

In November 2012, he scored his second league goal for Dinamo in a 5-0 win against NK Zadar, scoring a beauty from outside of the box thanks to an assist provided by Mateo Kova?i?. In his first professional season with Dinamo, he also managed to participate in the UEFA Champions League. On 24 October 2012, he made his European debut in the 90th minute of the encounter against French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the Maksimir Stadium, coming on as a substitute for fellow teenager Mateo Kova?i?. Thus he became the club’s youngest ever player to feature in a Champions League match, and second youngest player in the history of UEFA Champions League. By the end of the European season, he made two more appearance in the CL, coming on as a substitute in away matches against Paris Saint-Germain and FC Porto.

When asked about his European debut and future appearances in Europe, Halilovi? said :

I do not know if I will now play for longer than a few minutes that I got in Zagreb. It will depend on the outcome.

So far this season, Halilovi? has 2 goals in 16 appearances (Europe and League).

Style, Strengths and Weaknesses

If you were glancing upon Halilovic for the first time, you could be forgiven for thinking you were looking at a young Luka Modric doppelgänger. Both possess the wavy hair, short stature and immense quality with a football at their feet; both even have similar playing styles. Like Modric, Halilovic has begun his short career at Dinamo Zagreb, coming through its famed youth production line. Unlike Modric, who Halilovic has been compared to, Halilovic possesses a deadly left foot that is both skilful and capable of a powerful, yet accurate shots.

Thus far in eleven appearances in the 2012/2013 season, Halilovic has scored twice but started only four times, and came off the bench the remaining seven times. At times, it is hard to forget that he is only seventeen – such is his confidence and attacking prowess when going forward.

Additionally, like Modric, Halilovic can play out wide as a winger; but unlike Modric, it is his preferred position. At this stage in his early career, probably due to his stature, his coaches prefer to develop him out wide, where he has time and space to think more as compared to central or attacking midfield, where the challenges can come in slightly quicker. So don’t rule out an attacking positional change for Halilovic in the future as he grows both physically and mentally.

His ability to play a pass is good for an attacker, but his strength undoubtedly lies in his quick feet, confidence to go one-on-one, and his eye for goal, with his ability to score a ‘golazo’ present in his many YouTube highlight reels.

Transfer Situation

Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid are said to be most interested in the young Croatian.

United :

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson could be about to trump Man City boss Roberto Mancini by signing two of his top targets. United Chief Executive David Gill flew to Croatia this week for talks about signing £15m-rated Alen Halilovic, 16, and he also enquired about 20-year-old right-back Sime Vrsaljko.

City :

Manchester City are prepared to spend £7m to sign 16-year-old attacking midfielder Alen Halilovic, widely regarded as the best in the world of his age, from Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb.

Real Madrid :

Real Madrid are pushing for the signature of teenage Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Alen Halilovic. The Croatian, 16, is already being compared to Luka Modric – who was a United target before moving from Tottenham to the La Liga giants.

Besides a club move, Halilovi? has an international dilemma; he has to choose whether to play for his native Croatia or play for the country where his whole family is from and the same country that his father played for (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Great efforts are being made to get Halilovi? into the Bosnian side with the Bosnian football media reporting on everything related to Halilovi?. Bosnian U21 manager Vlado Jagodi? had called Halilovi? up for the Bosnian U21 games, but Halilovi? did not play for the side. Halilovi? does currently play for the Croatian U17 side, but could still switch the Bosnian national football team. His father, Sejad Halilovi?, also played for Croatia’s U17 side, but later switched to the Bosnian national football team making 15 appearances. The fight for Halilovic is very serious on the international stage, and it could be on the club stage as well should Halilovi? continue to impress.