Vicko Sevelj believes Aberdeen have their very own ‘Pittodrie Pogba’ in Ante Palaversa.
The Croat has quickly established himself as a favourite with the Red Army and added to that when he hit his late winner against Hearts. The Dundee United defender and Palaversa are close friends after coming through the youth ranks of Hajduk Split and the Croatia under-age teams together. Sevelj admitted the midfielder was the pick of their age group and when he hits top gear he has similar attributes to the current Juventus and French star Paul Pogba.
He reckons his switch to Jimmy Thelin ’s 100% Reds can get him back to that sort of level. Sevelj insisted: “It is the best option for him. When you go on loan you don’t really settle in. He had had a lot of loans and now he is at one club. He can now show his quality for a few seasons. He is an all-round midfielder. He is probably best at box-to-box. He had good technique, tall and strong. He is a bit like Pogba.”
His weekend goal was his first in two years since he netted for Troyes against Paris St Germain nearly two years ago. His side lost 4-3 with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe all joining him on the score sheet. Palaversa’s quality has never really been questioned. It has been more his injury record over the last couple of seasons. Aberdeen agreed a deal to sign Palaversa from French side Troyes, where he had lost his way.
The Dons have signed him on a deal for the season with the club having an option on their side to extend that for another two seasons. The fact that Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City agreed to pay around £7million to sign the youngster from Hajduk Split back in 2019 says it all.
Palaversa never really got his chance at City and spent most of his time there on loan back at Hajduk Split, Oostende, Getafe and Kortrijk. Sevelj confirmed: “He was our best player at Hajduk Split.
“He was sold to Manchester City for £8million. He was the captain of our team and the national team. It is very difficult when you go to Manchester City when you are only 18. They have such big players and so he had to go on loan to places like Belgium. It is a good decision to come to Aberdeen and Scottish football. I believe he will do well at Aberdeen.”
The Dundee United star is no stranger to another Aberdeen player. He is also close to striker Ester Sokler. They played together at Slovenian side Radomlje. Sevelj even called Sokler for advice before he made his own move to Tannadice this summer. He has already been behind enemy lines, travelling to Aberdeen to meet up with the pair. United are due to travel to Aberdeen on October 26h and Sevelj has warned both friendships will go out the window that night. It has the making of a good game with Aberdeen joint top and United currently in fifth spot. Before that United have a trip to Motherwell and Sevelj knows that has to be the immediate priority.
He joked: “I went up and met them for lunch. I am looking forward to playing them in October. Yes, I know Ester and Palaversa is an even bigger friend. “We were at Hajduk Split for five or six years and for the national team.
“Last time we were together was for the preparations for the under-21 European Championships. Ante called me and asked me about the league. I want him to perform well. Ester and Ante are such good players.”