Lazar Markovic

[King Binny]

Full Name: Lazar Markovic
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 65 kg
Birth date: March 02, 1994

[article=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2577487/Liverpool-join-hunt-Benfica-star-previous-Chelsea-target-Markovic.html#ixzz2va6EfK8G ]Liverpool have joined clubs watching Benfica's attacking midfielder Lazar Markovic.

Chief scout Barry Hunter was in attendance at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, last Wednesday to see the 20-year-old play 75 minutes for Serbia in their 2-1 win over Republic of Ireland.

Markovic is predominantly right-footed but often plays on the left wing and cuts in to join the attack.

He is equally comfortable on the right or behind the striker.

Formerly of Partizan Belgrade, Markovic has been followed closely by Chelsea over recent seasons and was expected to join them prior to signing for Benfica on a five year contract last summer.

Chelsea have continued to study his development and were linked by Portuguese media to a renewed bid for his services in December.

However, after figuring consistently for Benfica this season, if the player did leave he would be wary of going to Chelsea where there is such an abundance of attacking midfielders.

Due to their relationship with Partizan and Benfica, Chelsea are reputed to have negotiated a first option clause to be able to buy him at £12.5million but he is not, at this stage, among their priorities.

Liverpool have Philippe Coutinho for the central role but may see Markovic as more of a wide player should they follow up their interest.[/article]

5 goals, 2 assists in 18 league appearances

5th goal:


4th goal @0.32:


3rd goal:


2nd goal:


1st goal:

 

[ILD]

I thought there was something fishy about him and a contract with Chelsea??

 

[Modo]

That's some well trimmed brows....

 

[Markeh]

That's some well trimmed brows....

hahaha what was he thinking, they're so Disney

 

[Modo]

Haha thats uncanny.

 

[localny]

He's got a great shot. Very precise. Almost Lazar-like...

Also, they were down 4-0 once and he scored 3 and they won 5-4. His manager said "there was our performance, and then there was Lazar's - together we were Lazar-us"...

Shall I keep going?

 

[Buddha]

He's got a lovely smile this lad.

A real Lazar beam.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

On that Serbian team, we were linked with Adem Ljajic previously as well, so who knows which player Hunter was watching. Or maybe he was just out there to take in the game with no particular target, to just see if someone caught the eye.

Interesting that Benfica has actually got three young Serbians in their fold - Markovic (20), Djuricic (22), Sulejmani (25) - and all of them hardly get any minutes. The way Benfica functions in the transfer market looks interesting, as every year, they're selling someone to a big-spender, e.g. Chelsea (Matic - sold to them for £4.4m, bought back for £22m 1.5 seasons later), City (Garcia), Real (Coentrao). Also, the curious case of Axel Witsel - bought for €7.9m, played 32 games, sold for €40m to Zenit.

Either they've got such a great scouting system that picks up bargains year after year, or they look curiously like a staging ground or escrow for client clubs to park assets.

 

[StevieM]

There was a report doing the rounds a little while ago, that Chelsea were investing heavily in buying 3rd party rights to players in Portugal - where it isn't illegal.

The inference being, that not only could substantial money be made if the player gets sold for a large fee, but it would give the 3rd party say in who the player gets sold to if they weren't to take up full ownership.

 

[rurikbird]

On that Serbian team, we were linked with Adem Ljajic previously as well, so who knows which player Hunter was watching. Or maybe he was just out there to take in the game with no particular target, to just see if someone caught the eye.

Interesting that Benfica has actually got three young Serbians in their fold - Markovic (20), Djuricic (22), Sulejmani (25) - and all of them hardly get any minutes. The way Benfica functions in the transfer market looks interesting, as every year, they're selling someone to a big-spender, e.g. Chelsea (Matic - sold to them for £4.4m, bought back for £22m 1.5 seasons later), City (Garcia), Real (Coentrao). Also, the curious case of Axel Witsel - bought for €7.9m, played 32 games, sold for €40m to Zenit.

Either they've got such a great scouting system that picks up bargains year after year, or they look curiously like a staging ground or escrow for client clubs to park assets.

That's an interesting thought. When transfer fees rose to tens of millions, perhaps players themselves became "assets" for for some companies and individuals to shift money around. Certainly the higher the fees, the more probability of various financial shenanigans.

 

[localny]

There was a report doing the rounds a little while ago, that Chelsea were investing heavily in buying 3rd party rights to players in Portugal - where it isn't illegal.

The inference being, that not only could substantial money be made if the player gets sold for a large fee, but it would give the 3rd party say in who the player gets sold to if they weren't to take up full ownership.

It just gets worse. What is the matter with grown ups.

 

[StevieM]

It just gets worse. What is the matter with grown ups.

Not sure what you mean?

 

[Glock21]

Nothing special.

 

[King Binny]

[article=http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-look-to-see-if-lazar-markovic-can-make-the-grade-9186691.html]Chelsea plan to watch Benfica’s Europa League tie at Tottenham closely tomorrow night to see potential signing Lazar Markovic in action.

Markovic was monitored by Chelsea before he joined the Portuguese club from Partizan Belgrade last summer.

Such was the nature of the deal and the strength of their relationship with Benfica, Chelsea secured a first option on buying Markovic in the future.

The 20-year-old has a release clause in his five-year contract worth in excess of £33million but Chelsea would have to pay just £12.5m.

Markovic is rated as one of the best young players in Europe and has also attracted interest from Liverpool.

The attacking midfielder can play on either flank or behind the main striker but is still developing as a player. It is understood he plans to stay at Benfica for at least one more season before considering moving on.

Chelsea have strong ties with Benfica having signed Ramires and David Luiz from them while Nemanja Matic moved there from Stamford Bridge in 2011 and was bought back for £21m in January. The first leg of Benfica’s last-16 tie will give Chelsea an opportunity to see how his game has developed and whether he can make an impact in the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho already has a wealth of talent to choose from in the three positions behind the main striker so Markovic needs to impress.[/article]

 

[Hansern]

Should have bought him before he moved to Benfica