SUNJIC IS TIPPED TO SHINE BY BOSS CLOTET
BIRMINGHAM boss Pep Clotet believes Ivan Sunjic will get even better as the season progresses.
The 23-year-old midfielder has caught the eye since arriving at St Andrew’s from Dinamo Zagreb in a club-record deal. “He has established himself very well in that position,” said Clotet.
“He understands this league and has managed to perform from his first day. That is not easy.
“He is a player who puts the team before himself and that is something very difficult to find in young players. As a coach, you always want players to have that mindset.
“Apart from that, you have all the technical elements in him.
“His positioning is always right, his body positioning, on every duel, his protection of the ball.
“He knows when to play one touch, two touch, to play forward or when to calm down.
“And I think you will see a better player as the season goes on.”
Clotet revealed the Blues beat off several rivals to secure the Croatian’s signature.
“In the summer the club’s scouting department was working on options for different midfielders. Ivan was flagged as one option,” added Clotet.
“I knew the club from many years ago. When I was at Espanyol Under-17s we went to play a tournament at Zagreb.
“Then I stayed for a few days after, met everyone there and analysed how their academy worked.
“I was impressed. That was in 2007 and I have always followed the work they do and their players, and I have tracked Ivan’s progress.
“At the end of the day, a huge credit to the club. The club managed to bring him in and that says a lot about the ambition of the owners to get a player of Ivan’s ability here.
“It showed me how passionate the owners are to build the team, this club, and to attract players like him.”