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Morning all, bit of a read on him, I reckon he just to bed in this season and we’ll see the real player next season. ⚒️
Step forward for Vlasic – West Ham and Moyes now need more from Croatia star
Roshane Thomas
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It has been a slow start for Nikola Vlasic but there can be a small sense of satisfaction that he was viewed as being one of West Ham United’s best players before his withdrawal in the loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
The £25 million signing from CSKA Moscow played with aggression, provided the assist for Jarrod Bowen’s equaliser in the 2-1 quarter-final Carabao Cup defeat and posed a threat in the final third. It was one of his more promising performances and should help boost the 24-year-old’s confidence.
The challenge for Vlasic will be to reprise his attacking display in upcoming fixtures against Southampton, Watford and Crystal Palace.
Since making his debut in the goalless draw against Southampton in September, the attacking midfielder has completed 90 minutes once for West Ham this season. He was replaced by Said Benrahma in the 68th minute against Tottenham but Vlasic deserved to stay on, with David Moyes’ side enjoying a good spell of possession. Despite lasting just past the hour mark, the Croatia international created four chances, the most by any outfield player.
With Michail Antonio a doubt for the Boxing Day fixture against Southampton, having tested positive for COVID-19, and Benrahma set to join Algeria for the African Cup of Nations, it is likely Vlasic will receive more game time in the forthcoming weeks. In the 14 cup and league fixtures he has played this season, the Croatia international has started eight times.
Nikola Vlasic's minutes played
Opponent Date Minutes Played
Southampton September 11, 2021 -27mins
Dinamo Zagreb September 16, 2021 69mins
Manchester Utd September 19, 2021 mins68
Manchester Utd September 22, 2021 21mins
Leeds Utd September 25, 2021 12mins
Rapid Vienna Sept 30, 2021 62mins
Genk October 21, 2021. 8 mins
Manchester City Oct 27, 2021 62mins
Aston Villa October 31, 2021 1min
Wolves Nov 20, 2021 mins 19
Rapid Vienna Nov 25, 2021 78mins
Dinamo Zagreb Dec 9, 2021 90 mins
Burnley December 12, 2021 20 mins
Tottenham Dec 22, 2021 68mins
Staff at Russian side CSKA Moscow say Vlasic thrives on confidence, and is the sort of player who needs an arm around the shoulder every so often. Not starting week in, week out will be a different experience for him after his success in Russia, so there needs to be an element of patience as he integrates into the team and becomes more accustomed to Moyes’ methods.
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(Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
The manager and his coaching staff helped Benrahma, Bowen and Pablo Fornals during their initial struggles, and history tells us it is only a matter of time before Vlasic starts reaping the rewards.
“I thought it was more like him tonight,” said Moyes. “He’s starting to get used to us a little bit more. It’s taken a bit of time but he had an impact on the game. There were bits of him tonight that were much better.
“We’re still trying to build up a level of fitness where we can get longer out of him. But it might take a bit of time and some more work because he missed pre-season because of the Euros and the transfer. But I thought he played very well tonight.”
The Athletic highlighted the contributing factors behind Vlasic’s slow start and it is worth mentioning once more. Following Croatia’s round of 16 defeat by Spain on June 28 at this summer’s European Championship, Vlasic returned to CSKA Moscow with a knock. After being put on an individual programme by coaches, he was only able to take part in training the week leading up to their season opener against Ufa on July 25.
Vlasic was an unused substitute in that fixture, and had only completed 90 minutes once in his next five games before sealing his move to West Ham in August. While the majority of players at Moyes’ disposal are fully fit, Vlasic in many ways has been playing catch up. It is a big factor in why he has only played one full match since the former Everton man returned to England.
But against Tottenham, the attacking midfielder showed flashes that he is slowly getting back to his best. With COVID cases rising and the quick turnaround of fixtures, Vlasic’s versatility will be key. He is capable of playing on both flanks and the No 10 role.
Although he is still in search of that all-important first goal, it is encouraging he is becoming more of a goal threat. It is a huge improvement when you factor in the subdued performances he had in his first handful of games against Dinamo Zagreb, Manchester United and Genk. But over the past four weeks he has provided two assists, with the first being for Andriy Yarmolenko in the 2-0 win at Rapid Vienna in November.
“I trust the manager,” said the ex-Everton forward. “He brought me here and knows what is best for me, and he’s aware that players need adaptation, especially to a team that has been together as much as this one. They know each other so well. I’m capable, I just need to work hard.”
For Moyes and West Ham, the wait goes on for silverware. But towards the latter stages of the game there was the realisation from the away fans that there will be better days ahead as they chorused: “We’re all going on a European tour.” By then Vlasic will, hopefully, be key to that.
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