Nikola Vlasic eases injury nerves as West Ham United loanee makes ‘100%’ claim
Nikola Vlasic has confirmed that he is fit to play for Croatia in the round of 16 after the West Ham loanee suffered a knock against Morocco.
The 25-year-old is yet to start a game for the national team in the World Cup and was considered to be an injury doubt after the opening game but he went on to feature against Belgium anyway.
He has now moved to quash any reports that he is not at full fitness ahead of Monday’s (5 December) game against Japan who topped Group E in surprising circumstances.
“I’m here, I’m at the manager’s disposal,” Vlasic said to Croatian media outlet 24 Sata. “Fortunately, the minor injury I sustained against Morocco did not leave a mark, the video confirms that it is a minor strain that is already in the past and I am already in training 100 per cent.”
Proved right
David Moyes was eager to get Vlasic out of the London Stadium either permanently or on loan in the summer and he eventually succeeded as Torino came knocking.
He made more than 30 appearances for West Ham last season and affected very few games considering his £25million price tag from CSKA Moscow prior to the season’s start.
His inability to get into what is not a brilliant Croatian side is all the proof needed to say he is not good enough to play in the Premier League.
Admittedly, he has been more impressive for Torino in Serie A but that league is much slower than England and the quality is lower as a result which obviously makes him look better.
The Italian side may well want to trigger the optional future fee in January but for that to happen, Vlasic kind off has to be fit and firing on all cylinders so it is refreshing news to hear he is raring to go for his national side.