Krznar’s assistant Mihael Mikic with advice for Matjaz Keke: Croat explains why Žan Vipotnik should be in the A-team
The fact that Žan Vipotnik has had a superb opening part of the season is a fact that cannot be disputed. The 20-year-old forward is currently Maribor’s most efficient player, with 10 goals, he is also the second top scorer.
of the Telemach First League
. Žan Vipotnik’s performances have aroused the imagination of many clubs from elsewhere, although it is true that Maribor has not yet received an official offer for him, according to sport director Marek Šuler. It would be interesting to know whether the talented striker is being closely observed and considered by Slovenian selector Matjaž Kek. Mihael Mikić, former young Croatian international and now assistant coach of Maribor Damir Krznar, is convinced that Žan Vipotnik already deserves a place in the Slovenian national team.
Mihael Mikic, who has played for Inter Zapresic, Dinamo Zagreb , Kaiserslautern, Rijeka, Sanfrecce and Shonan, reveals the background to his interesting thoughts. “There are quite a few quality players (in the Slovenian league, op. a.). At least five of them should play for the national team. It would give validation to the best players in the league, it would raise the image of the league, and it would send a message to young players that you don’t have to go abroad right away to be on the national team’s radar,“, Mihael Mikić told Matjaž Kek in
in an interview for Večer
.
At least 20% of Shešek’s value
The 43-year-old Zagreb man continued.I am thinking specifically of Žan Vipotnik. He should be a member of the A-team so that he gets used to his teammates. He and Benjamin Šešek were completely equal in the younger selections, so the quality is the same. Šeško was sold at a discount from Salzburg to Leipzig for €24 million. If they were evenly matched a few years ago, and Vipotnik is now showing the quality we see every day in training, he should be worth at least 20% of what Šeško is worth. When someone is left out, the national team has to include them. Not to become a carrier, but to prepare it for the future. This would encourage other players in the league to try harder. When a young footballer becomes a national player, they get more attention abroad, the price goes up, and clubs can do better with sales. We need to represent the interests of Slovenian football more!”
Whether Žan Vipotnik will soon awaken Kek’s imagination enough will be known already in March, when he will
the Slovenian national team
will start qualifying for the next European Championship, hosted by Germany in 2024, with matches against Kazakhstan and San Marino.
This text was automatically translated using AI.
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