Lazar Markovic: a star in the making!

One for the future: Lazar Markovic of Partizan. (Getty Images)

If a youngster is monitored by big clubs even before his senior debut – and also happens to hail from the widely-respected Partizan Belgrade’s academy that groomed the likes of Stevan Jovetic, Adem Ljajic and Matija Nastasic – it indicates the potential he has.

And when that very starlet happens to make his national team debut just before his 18th birthday, with 6 caps to his name at 19 for one of the most up and coming footballing nations – Serbia – it sends strong signals that he is a star in the making.

Few outside of Serbia may have heard of Lazar Markovic, but the fleet-footed forward has been an established member of the Partizan first team for some time now. Markovic is best described as a skilful second striker, who is also at ease on either flank.

Player Profile:

Name:	Lazar Markovic
Date of birth:	02.03.1994
Age:	19
Height:	5 ft 9 in
Nationality:	Serbia
Position:	Striker – Left Wing
Foot:	Right
Market value:	7.000.000 €
Player’s agent:	LIAN SPORTS

Having played in a few youth selection games for the local club Borak Cacak, Markovic joined the youth academy of Partizan as a 12-year-old in 2006. Having played at the various youth levels for the club, Markovic made his first team debut at 17. His debut came near the finish of 2010/2011 season, on May 29, against Sloboda Uzice as a second half substitute.

At the start of the 2011-12 season, he signed his first professional contract with the club and is contracted to be with the club till the June of 2016. Having started his career mostly as a substitute, Markovic went on to play 26 times in his first full season scoring 6 goals and setting up another 6. He was voted as Partizan’s ‘Player of the Year’ by fans on the club website.

In his second full season with club, he featured in 19 league games and played the club’s Europa League matches and ended the season with 7 goals and 10 assists. He has the distinction of being named in the League’s ‘Team of the Year’ in both his full seasons with the club.

Playing Style and Attributes:

Markovic’s biggest asset is his pace; he is amazingly quick. He has impressive acceleration and can sustain his pace over a distance. He also has very good ball control ability, especially when running at speed. A versatile player, he has played as an advanced midfielder on both the wings and also the second striker. He can instinctively find the empty spaces between defenders and pops-up in goal-scoring positions frequently.

His quick counter-attacking moves left Inter Milan‘s defence in confusion in a Europa league match in November 2012. After the game Javier Zanetti commented, “I must say Markovi? is an interesting player, who impressed me.”

But the lack of physical strength means he loses out to big defenders quite often. His ability to finish is not the greatest either and has been profligate in front of goal. But in time, as he matures as a player, composure will become a part of him game.

Threats:

Football in the Serbian league is often regarded as slow. In such conditions, Markovic is a speed-demon. But it will be interesting to see how he will perform in the faster leagues, the Premier League for one, where he could land up with Chelsea notably interested in the youngster. Also being seen as a versatile player means he does not have a stable starting position and is juggled between the wings and striker options. This uncertainty can prove detrimental in his development in the long run.

Future:

For a player of his potential, who has already gathered the attention of the scouts and the media, it will be unlikely if he continues to ply his trade in the Serbian League in the future and a transfer to a big league will happen sooner rather than later. Chelsea has expressed an interest on multiple occasions.

A move to the Dutch league, however, on the same lines as Mateja Kezman or Miralem Sulejmani would help in his development. However, it is more likely that Markovic would make the move to the big leagues like Jovetic made. Markovic’s intentions are clear; he wasn’t to make it big.

“A lot of people say that maybe I’m not suited to the English league; but I can tell you that I love the Premier League and I see it as an ideal stage for me.”