Ante Palaversa didn’t really make his mark at Manchester City but he will always cherish his Pep talks.
Pep Guardiola signed the current Aberdeen star for around £7 million from Hajduk Split back in 2019. The young Croatian had three years at City but spent the majority of that time out on-loan at the likes of Hajduk, Oostende, Getafe and Kortrijk. He didn’t play much under Guardiola but appreciated the way City’s all-conquering boss went to great lengths to keep an eye on his progress and to give him guidance and support throughout his time with ‘the Cityzens’.
Palaversa admitted: “I was always on loan but after every game, it didn’t matter if it was an important game or not, there would be an individual report. What you have done good or what you have done badly. After every game I would have that connection with him (Guardiola) when he would call and we would speak about the game. It was really good. You have to come to that level (at Manchester City).”
Palaversa first went to City in the summer of 2019 where he trained with the likes of Rodri, Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva. The midfielder admitted it was an experience and one that drives him to get back to that level.
The Dons star recalled: “Back then I was training with those guys when I was not on loan, during pre-season. The level and quality of the training and games was amazing, the experience of that. When I was younger and had to learn a lot.”
Palaversa’s career went off track when he left City. He had a frustrating spell at Troyes. Jimmy Thelin offered him an escape route and he grabbed it with both hands. He has been a stand out. Aberdeen have signed him for the season but have the option of another two years beyond that.
Dundee United midfielder Vicko Sevelj recently claimed Palaversa was like Aberdeen’s Paul Pogba. Sevelj and Palaversa had previously come through the ranks at Hajduk Split. Palaversa modestly said: “Really, he said I was like Paul Pogba? No way. Okay, okay, that’s good.
“We were a really good team back then with a lot of great players my age. He was one of them.
“I told him I was coming to Aberdeen and we could meet for coffee or lunch. We were together at the academy of Hajduk Split and we were the same age group.
“We (Sevelj and I ) played together for six or seven years and he is a really good guy and player. I’m happy he is also here and doing good.”
Palaversa has been given a shot in the arm coming into an Aberdeen’s squad that is very much on the up under Jimmy Thelin. The Dons have yet to taste defeat in the Premiership under the Swede.
They will be looking to keep that going when they travel to Paisley to take on St Mirren this weekend. The midfielder admitted: “He is keeping our confidence and team spirit up, he keeps our feet on the ground and keeps pushing us.”
Aberdeen’s success this season has been very much down to their squad rather than individuals. The players are close and spend a lot of time with each other away from the club. Palaversa admitted that has helped to strengthen their bond.
“If you are doing well in games and training you have to take that spirit outside of the pitch,” the Croat claimed. “Whether that is dinner, a drink, coffee whatever, just to be in a good relationship with everybody.
“That’s how you keep positive. It is a really amazing group and I’m so glad that I’m here.
“If you are not in good spirits you don’t make results. But if you have a great group of people who are fully focused on doing football things you are in a good way.”
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