Josko Gvardiol called ‘different class’ after Newcastle links last summer

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United were linked with Josko Gvardiol during the summer transfer window, and they might wish they had signed him after seeing him at the World Cup.

The 20-year-old is representing Croatia out in Qatar, who qualified for the knockout stages yesterday thanks to a 0-0 draw with Belgium.

The RB Leipzig youngster started at the back alongside Dejan Lovren, and did an incredible job to ensure his side kept a clean sheet and secured their place in the next round.

Croatia have made it through as group runners up, and will now face Japan for a place in the Quarter Finals. And if they are to beat a team that has won against Spain and Germany, they will need the likes of Gvardiol to keep shining.

He was exceptional on Thursday afternoon, and produced a remarkable challenge to deny Romelu Lukaku.

What Jermaine Jenas said about Josko Gvardiol

After that challenge on Lukaku, Belgium continued to go in search of a winner. Eden Hazard looked to play the Inter Milan forward through on goal in the 93rd minute, but his pass was neatly intercepted by Gvardiol who dealt with the danger with ease.

The game was broadcast on BBC One, and Jermaine Jenas was very impressed with what he saw from the young centre-back.

“What a player,” Jenas said.

“20-years-old did you say? Different class.”

Newcastle missed out

With Gvardiol thriving in a Croatia shirt, it is a reminder what Newcastle could have had earlier this year.

The Magpies have brought in two centre-backs during 2022, with Dan Burn and Sven Botman arriving. And another player they looked at was Gvardiol.

The Daily Mail claimed in March that the Bundesliga defender was on Newcastle’s list of centre-back targets.

However, a move never materialised, with Botman signing instead. The Dutchman has been exceptional, but just imagine if we had signed both of them.

Botman at 22 and Gvardiol at 20 – we would have our centre-back partnership for the next decade. It perhaps would have seen Botman move to the right of the pair, but there is belief that he can do that in the future.

While Newcastle don’t seem to be searching for a centre-back nowadays, it might not be long before we see Gvardiol in the Premier League.

He is being heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, with 90min claiming that the Blues believe they are close to securing his signature.

That would be quite the coup for Graham Potter’s side, and it would offer Newcastle the chance to see what they could have won had they signed him this summer.