Scout Report – Andrija Zivkovic
Benfica winger Andrija Zivkovic seems to be a wanted man in the transfer market, with reports of a number of English clubs monitoring the player emerging over the past few days.
First, the Sun reported that Premier League side Arsenal had sent out scouts to watch the Serbian with Manchester United also understood to be interested. And now a report from ClubCall claims that the 21-year old has admirers from the English second division as well, with Championship outfit Fulham believed to be scouting the player.
With interest in the Serbian starlet intensifying, here we bring you the lowdown on Andrija Zivkovic and try to find out why the clubs are lining up to sign him.
Background
Born on 11 July 1996, in Nis, Yugoslavia, Zivkovic had a short tenure in his formative years with local club Nacional Nis, before he moved to the academy of Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade in 2009, at the age of 13. Having worked his way through the youth sides extremely rapidly, the winger made his first team debut for Partizan in April 2013 and went on to sign his first professional contract with the club later in August the same year.
In his first full season in 2013/14 with the club, Zivkovic became the youngest captain in the history of the club, when he led the side in March 2014 at the age of 17 years, 7 months and 18 days. He finished the campaign with 5 goals and a sole assist in 25 games. The attacker continued to make a name for himself over the next two years, as he scored 19 goals and registered 12 assists in 67 appearances.
In the summer of 2016, Zivkovic was signed by Portuguese giants Benfica on a free transfer, after his contract with Partizan had expired. In his debut season in Portugal, the winger netted just one goal, but chalked up 11 assists in 24 games across all competitions, as Benfica completed a league and cup double. In the ongoing campaign, the 21-year old has found the back of the net three times and set up five more in 21 games in all competitions.
Zivkovic has represented the Serbian international team across all age groups and is the youngest ever to have represented the Serbia senior team, when he made his debut in October 2013, aged 17. The winger was an integral part of the Serbian side that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2015. Till date, he has seven senior appearances for the national team.
Style of Play
An out and out winger who can play on both the flanks, Zivkovic is more effective when he is starting out on the right-side and cutting in onto his stronger left foot.
Blessed with great technical abilities and very good ground speed, the 21-year old is a major threat to any opposition. His penetrative movement in the attacking third and the ability to create chances for his teammates can truly take him far. A good passer of the ball, the Serbian international has that creative edge to his game that allows him to break open defences with utmost regularity.
Zivkovic is also a very good set-piece taker and his free-kick and corner deliveries are always an avenue of goals for his team. The winger is someone who works very hard off the ball as well and isn’t shy about performing his defensive duties.
Pace, skills, technique, the 21-year old ticks all the right boxes needed to grow into a devastating winger, but the element of consistency is something that he needs to bring into his game. In addition to that, he also needs to develop his goalscoring instincts to be a bigger threat to opponents.
What Does the Future Hold?
Zivkovic has shown great potential in his fledgeling career and the signs obviously are pointing to the fact that he can make it big in the world of football. At 21, he still has a long way to go and there is a need for him to polish his game a bit more. Any club who will sign him would reap benefits in the future, but from the player’s point of view, staying put at Benfica where he is getting regular playing time and exposure of European football would be the best move.
Arsenal
Emily Fox Commits Arsenal to Championship Treble Pursuit as USWNT Defender Targets Every Available Trophy Following Consecutive PFA Recognition
Emily Fox has articulated explicit championship ambition for Arsenal, establishing the club’s comprehensive trophy pursuit philosophy requiring unwavering commitment across all available competitions.
The United States Women’s National Team defender’s unequivocal assertion that elite institutions “have to go for all of them” combined with her consecutive PFA Team of the Year recognition establishes credible foundation supporting genuine championship aspirations rather than merely aspirational rhetoric.
Arsenal’s narrow previous season defeat through draw accumulation combined with their Charlton Athletic 5-1 demolition establishes encouraging competitive foundation suggesting tactical sharpness supporting their championship objectives.
Fox’s immediate second-half impact despite not starting validates her elite status transcending purely starting lineup consideration, suggesting her availability provides meaningful tactical flexibility supporting Arsenal’s demanding fixture schedule throughout their multi-competition campaign.
Elite One-Versus-One Defending Provides Championship Foundation
Fox’s characterisation as elite one-versus-one defender combined with her ability to “surge relentlessly down the right flank” establishes complete attacking and defensive profile meriting championship-level confidence.
Her PFA recognition reflecting her dual-faceted influence across both ends of the pitch validates her significance extending beyond purely defensive responsibility, indicating genuine elite performer capable of meaningful attacking contribution supporting Arsenal’s creative requirements.
That comprehensive capability combined with her demonstrated consistency establishes credible foundation supporting Arsenal’s multi-trophy pursuit.
Draw Accumulation Represents Championship Addressable Challenge
Arsenal’s previous season single loss contrasted against their six-draw accumulation establishes quantifiable competitive adjustment requirement rather than fundamental capability deficiency. That marginal defeat suggested by draw patterns rather than defensive collapses indicates realistic trophy pursuit achievability through continued tactical consistency and draw-conversion improvement rather than requiring wholesale squad reconstruction.
This statement feels strategically important for Arsenal’s competitive trajectory. Rather than pursuing conservative single-trophy focus, Fox and Arsenal establish ambitious championship mentality demanding elite performance consistency across all available competitions. Her championship commitment combined with her demonstrated elite capability positions Arsenal favorably for sustained trophy pursuit throughout their anticipated season.
Arsenal
New UEFA Regulation Blocks Arsenal From Away Fixture Against Slavia Prague as Champions League Draw Implements Consecutive Opponent Restriction
Arsenal have discovered their comprehensive Champions League group phase opponents following yesterday’s draw, establishing their competitive schedule whilst navigating newly implemented UEFA regulation preventing consecutive away fixtures against identical opposition.
The regulation denying Arsenal’s away travel to Prague combined with Liverpool’s blocked Anfield Real Madrid fixture establishes systematic competition balance philosophy limiting repetitive home-venue matchups across three consecutive seasons, suggesting deliberate competition structure enhancement prioritising varied competitive experience.
Arsenal’s previous season 3-0 Prague demolition combined with their current away-fixture prevention establishes genuine competitive advantage preservation rather than purely administrative regulation, validating UEFA’s systematic approach toward ensuring fresh competitive challenge distribution.
That regulatory framework combined with Arsenal’s established grouping suggests meaningful competitive foundation supporting their European championship aspirations following their previous season Budapest final disappointment.
Regulation Implementation Prevents Competitive Staleness
The regulation prohibiting three-consecutive-season identical home-venue fixtures between same opposition establishes competition diversity philosophy suggesting UEFA recognises value in fresh tactical challenges across multiple seasons. That systematic approach spanning multiple elite clubs including Liverpool alongside Arsenal suggests comprehensive competition restructuring philosophy rather than arbitrarily targeting individual institutions, indicating genuine competition-wide implementation rather than selective application.
That regulation combined with Arsenal’s established grouping establishes meaningful competitive foundation supporting sustained elite challenge throughout their group phase campaign.
Arsenal’s Comprehensive Grouping Establishes Elite Championship Foundation
Arsenal’s pairing with Real Madrid home fixture combined with Bayern Munich away establishment alongside their additional elite opposition encounters (Dortmund, Lille, Napoli, Betis) establishes genuinely demanding group phase schedule requiring sustained elite performance consistency. That competitive balance combining established elite opponents (Real Madrid, Bayern) alongside ascending threats (Lille, Dortmund) suggests meaningful championship-level testing supporting their European ambitions.
This regulation feels strategically important for Arsenal’s European trajectory. Rather than viewing the Prague away-fixture prevention as disadvantageous, their comprehensive grouping combined with their Real Madrid home advantage establishes meaningful foundation supporting their championship defence objectives.
Their Budapest final disappointment combined with this season’s elevated competitive scheduling suggests genuine opportunity for meaningful European progression throughout their demanding group phase campaign.
Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus Trains Separately From Arsenal Squad as Napoli Pursue Serie A Striker Target Ahead of Transfer Window Closure
Gabriel Jesus has been training away from Arsenal’s established squad structures as negotiations continue regarding his potential Napoli departure, establishing genuine transfer uncertainty transcending purely speculative transfer gossip.
Massimiliano Allegri’s explicit preference for the Brazilian striker combined with Napoli’s continued pursuit suggests substantive engagement rather than peripheral interest, validating Jesus’ separated training status reflecting genuine transfer progression likelihood.
Jesus’ contract expiration approaching next summer establishes genuine Arsenal leverage motivating their attempted final-window cash generation, suggesting institutional recognition that current transfer opportunity represents their last meaningful financial recovery prospect. That urgency combined with his training separation indicates deliberate negotiating position rather than purely disciplinary measure, validating Mikel Arteta’s transparent communication regarding individual player management during transfer uncertainty periods.
Napoli Pursue Strategic Striker Solution Following Lukaku Departure
Romelu Lukaku’s Fenerbahçe agreement established necessary financial foundation enabling Napoli’s Jesus pursuit, suggesting systematic striker replacement philosophy supporting Allegri’s tactical requirements. That structured approach indicating Napoli’s deliberate attacking reinforcement strategy rather than reactive desperation suggests genuine championship-level investment supporting their Serie A competitive objectives.
Jesus’ reported hesitance regarding Napoli relocation combined with Napoli’s measured pursuit suggests potentially contentious negotiation requiring sustained diplomatic engagement transcending purely financial arrangement.
Arteta Maintains Transparent Player Communication Throughout Transition
Arteta’s explicit recognition of individual player circumstances combined with his emphasis upon meaningful conversation quality establishes mature management philosophy prioritising honest engagement during transfer uncertainty. His characterisation of difficult conversations as “inevitable” combined with his satisfaction regarding their substance suggests appropriate institutional handling of complex personnel situations requiring simultaneous competitive focus and individual player accommodation.
This transfer situation feels strategically important for Arsenal’s financial planning and squad management. Rather than pursuing indefinite Jesus retention despite his evident transfer interest, they facilitate realistic transfer negotiations whilst maintaining squad professionalism.
That balanced approach combined with their recognition of his contract timeline suggests pragmatic institutional decision-making supporting long-term squad sustainability throughout their upcoming competitive campaign.
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