Miralem Pjanic – potential Liverpool transfer target…
Ever since Brendan Rodgers tripped to Rome last week before the Crystal Palace clash, Liverpool have been heavily linked to midfielder Miralem Pjanic, with rumours stating he’s being lined up as the big money Steven Gerrard replacement…
But who is he?
Here’s the rundown on the Bosnian star…
SEE MORE:
(Video) Mario Balotelli play fights on a train with professional kickboxer!
(Video) Amazing! Watch the seven best Liverpool celebrations ever, including Daniel Sturridge & Alberto Moreno
1) The 24-year-old was born in former Yugoslavia, but his family moved to Luxembourg when he was young (before the outbreak of war), and he joined Schifflange 95 as a youth player.
2) Pjanic did play for Luxembourg’s Under-17 and Under-19 side, but in 2008 opted to play for the country of his birth, now Bosnia and Herzegovina.
3) His talent was immediately noticeable, and in 2004, aged just 14, French outfit Metz won the race for his signature.
4) Pjanic impressed, and was given a senior debut aged just 17 in Ligue 1 during the 2007/08 season. Immediately, he became a regular starter – and played 37 times that term – bagging five goals.
5) He’s nicknamed ‘The Painter’, because of his flair, composure and effortless style. Pjanic makes football art!
6) Pjanic’s form for Metz won saw him nominated for the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award, and earned him the attention of French giants Lyon, too. After a summer of negotiations, Lyon signed Pjanic for €7.5m in 2008.
7) The midfielder was dubbed ‘The next Juninho Pernambucano’ in France, and he duly took the Brazilian legend’s no.8 shirt in 2009/10.
8) Pjanic’s progression hit a stumbling block in 2010/11 however, with Yoann Gourcuff preferred in central midfield, and come summer 2011, he requested a transfer. Serie A side Roma paid €11.5m for his services.
9) After two relatively quiet seasons, Pjanic began to fulfil his talent in 2013/14, securing a spot as a guaranteed starter. He notched six goals – and earned a reputation as one of the finest midfielders in Italy.
10) He’s already won 56 caps for his country, and he’s bagged nine international goals to boot.
11) Pjanic is a deep-lying playmaker. He’s previously been used as a no.10, but is far more comfortable at the base of midfield – a la Xabi Alonso. Like the Spaniard, he prides himself on his passing, and his ability to dictate the tempo of matches.
12) He’s a set-piece specialist. Pjanic takes brilliant corners, free-kicks, and the odd penalty, too. Aerially he’s not brilliant – and he doesn’t throw himself into tackles – but his technical qualities are outstanding.