Can Stefan Bajcetic be Fabinho’s replacement for Liverpool? The 17-year-old Spain youth international appears to have a bright future at Anfield after having already competed in the Premier League and Champions League. Stefan Bajcetic didn’t take long to establish himself in Merseyside. When Liverpool acquired the young player from Celta Vigo in February 2021, there was little hoopla, but according to Reds sources, the move may have been one of the club’s smartest in recent memory.
Jurgen Klopp has already been impressed by the 17-year-old, who can play as a holding midfielder or center back and made his Premier League debut in August as a substitute against Bournemouth after impressing enough in preseason. After that, Bajcetic made history by playing in the Champions League for Liverpool as a substitute against Ajax at the age of 17 years, 10 months, and 22 days.
The Next Big Player:
There is no denying that the Bajcetic family is gifted at football. Srdan, his father, was a professional midfielder for Red Star Belgrade, Braga, and Dalian Shide over the course of a 12-year career. Alongside Mazinho, the father of Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara, Bajcetic Sr. played for Celta for three seasons as well. Stefan was born in Vigo in October 2004.
At the age of nine, Celta signed him after observing him play for a nearby team. His father’s advice and experience, according to Celta’s academy coordinator Alex Otero, have been crucial to Bajcetic’s growth as a player and a professional. Alex Otero distinctly remembers being impressed by Bajcetic’s strength and athleticism.
Bajcetic made good improvement at Celta, switching between defense and midfield while impressing coaches with his passing range, tactical awareness, and “first-class” demeanor. Otero, who coached him at the U12 level, claims that he was always a high-caliber athlete. The fact that he was consistently well-liked by both his teammates and the club staff is also quite significant. He stood out as the most talented athlete in his age group.
The big break:
After catching the attention of Spain’s young teams and Celta, it was inevitable that Europe’s top teams would eventually contact him. They did so in the winter of 2020 when Premier League clubs were eager to relocate before new Brexit laws, which would make it more difficult to attract potential young players from abroad, went into effect.
A number of clubs in La Liga, including Valencia, Atletico Madrid, and Sevilla, expressed interest in Bajcetic and his family. Manchester United and Chelsea were among those to do so. But Liverpool prevailed in the race. He was acquired by the Reds for €250,000 (£220k/$243k), and he settled in Merseyside in February 2021. Beginning with Liverpool’s U16 squad, Bajcetic moved up to play primarily as a centre defense for Marc Bridge-U18 Wilkinson’s squad towards the end of the 2020–21 season.
After competing in the UEFA Youth League against teams like Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, and Porto, he was invited to practice with Liverpool’s first squad in November 2021, just a few weeks after turning 17 years old. He got the attention of Klopp and his team there. Pep Lijnders recalls being impressed by the child’s grace and composure.
The Strength:
The benefits of Bajcetic are clear to see. He is simply a good football player who does the fundamentals well while also showing maturity and understanding well beyond his young age. According to Otero, he has a strong presence on the field. He can move forward under pressure and makes very effortless maneuvers. The first thing I noticed about him when he committed to Celta was his stride. His outstanding athletic prowess has always helped him stand out in the competitive world of modern football.
Staff members at Kirkby, the home of Liverpool’s first team and academy teams, have been impressed with Bajcetic’s aerial skills. Although he is a touch over six feet tall, it is his timing and air aggression that stand out. Bajcetic plays with poise and composure when the ball is in play. He maintains his position in the middle, bringing rhythm and tempo, but is able to escape the press with a turn or a darting pass to the front. He provides his center-backs with protection on defense by reading the game well, seizing second balls, and making tackles when necessary.
Improving Aspect:
Undoubtedly, there is potential for improvement, as Bajcetic is well aware. To play as a No. 6 at the highest level requires a lot, and for a coach like Klopp, it requires even more. Liverpool’s approach demands superior positional play, front-foot defending, and tremendous physical output.
Since Bajcetic won’t turn 18 until October 22, there is still some physical growth to be done. He has already made significant progress in that area, but with continued exposure to Klopp and his coaches, he will get stronger, sharper, and quicker. His on-the-ball skills will improve as he learns to play continuously for 90 minutes at his greatest level of energy while making wise choices under duress.
Next Fabinho:
Of course, it is a lot to ask. Fabinho has achieved every honor possible at Liverpool, is a seasoned member of the Brazil national team, and has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. He plays the best, in my opinion, and I always try to observe him and pick up tips from him, according to Bajcetic. It’s obviously difficult to play like him, but I constantly try to watch him and take notes on his placement, pushing, and other strategies.
There are undoubtedly similarities in terms of frame and ball-handling skill, plus Bajcetic’s experience as a center-back and his willingness to drive with the ball make him comparable to someone like Declan Rice at West Ham. Bajcetic, like Rice, seems to be able to move through gears, advancing as necessary. He has a decent passing range and the knowledge and understanding of the game to make sure his defensive responsibilities are not overlooked.
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