Slovenia has had top-class footballers earlier than. Samir Khandanovich and Jan Oblak come to thoughts. “However each of them have been goalkeepers,” says Matej Orazem Sky Sports activities. “Goalkeepers might be stars, however it’s a very completely different factor to have a striker.”
Benjamin Sesko is a striker. The 21-year-old RB Leipzig participant has been attracting the eye of the continent’s largest golf equipment since his teenage years and can lead Slovenia’s nationwide workforce at Euro 2024. “I feel he is destined for greatness,” Orazem provides. .
Oražem is the sporting director of NK Domzale, the Slovenian membership that took Seško into their academy on the age of 15. The earliest reminiscences of him have been whispers a couple of boy who lived close by and scored 50 objectives in a single season in opposition to a lot older gamers.
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See all of Benjamin Cesc’s objectives for RB Leipzig within the Bundesliga
“After that, we acted fairly shortly. By the point the media hypothesis began and larger golf equipment seen him, we already had a deal. It was fairly apparent to anybody who walked on it. very younger age.”
Bodily, Seshko stands out. He’s now 6’5″ and was not a lot shorter then. There are tales about him hitting basketballs from behind the ring. With a prime velocity of 35.47 kilometers per hour, he’s additionally one of many quickest gamers within the Bundesliga. a real athlete.
“Bodily kind was the figuring out issue. He was superb. With a number of the younger expertise, you need them to play with the older guys, but when they don’t seem to be bodily prepared, then you definitely’re extra cautious. With Benny, there was little doubt due to his bodily presence.”
Seshko was within the U19 workforce in Damzhal on the age of 16. “The one factor we remorse is that he did not make his first-team debut.” The explanation it did not occur is that quickly after, aged simply 17, he left for Pink Bull Salzburg, able to take the subsequent step on his journey.
Orazem believes that “Damzale” performed its function. “We’re happy with each second he spent right here. “I feel it was crucial. Our academy was a possibility to be away from house in a well-recognized setting and begin getting used to the unknown.”
Seshko’s alternative of membership was shrewd. There have been better-known choices, however alongside together with his household and agent Elvis Basanovich, the precedence was the trail. Salzburg may supply a top quality coach, but additionally a transparent path to the highest of the sport.
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Benjamin Cesko’s new cope with RB Leipzig will embody a ‘gentleman’s settlement’
Initially there was a possibility to play senior membership soccer with second tier workforce FC Liefering. From there, the hyperlink with Leipzig supplied a pure development to the Bundesliga at a membership the place every part from ways to tradition will probably be extra acquainted.
It additionally helped that Salzburg was solely 180 miles north of Domzhal. “It wasn’t an enormous shock. He may see his household. It was a fantastic alternative. There have been choices in Italy, Germany and England, however it was a very good supply for everybody,” Orazem says.
“Salzburg was essential in its growth. Though he was already a superb participant right here, he realized lots in Salzburg, progressing extremely as a participant and as an individual. Each step to date has been proper. The transfer to Leipzig was not too massive a step for him.”
Eighteen objectives in his closing season in Salzburg satisfied Leipzig that Sesko was prepared for the transfer final summer season. He began slowly. “It took him just a little little bit of time, however he confirmed every part within the second half of the season.” Sesko scored one other 18 objectives in Germany.
Benjamin Sesko boasts the most effective strike charges within the Bundesliga
Certainly, solely Harry Kane and Serhu Girassi have boasted higher strike charges within the Bundesliga. Leipzig’s counter-attacking model suited him as a result of many possibilities got here after breaking free together with his tempo, however he was additionally a critical menace from set items.
Sesko’s talent set is uncommon. He instinctively needs to run at defenses from deep together with his nice velocity, however he is additionally a bodily goal participant. Solely Kane has scored extra headed objectives within the competitors. Furthermore, he can play.
“It isn’t simply in regards to the physicality, it is in regards to the technical facet as nicely.” It makes for an irresistible mixture for the highest golf equipment and helps clarify why Cesko was closely linked with Arsenal, together with earlier than agreeing a contract extension with Leipzig.
Warmth map and strike map of Benjamin Cesc in his debut Bundesliga season
That appears affordable after just one season. He could have a number of time if he stays match and he will probably be diligent about it. “He is very disciplined and that is prevented any accidents, which, particularly for larger guys, might be problematic. He is been managed very nicely.”
His legacy is felt at Damzhal, even when he by no means featured within the membership’s first workforce. “It is onerous to search out the subsequent Cesko, however he is inspiring the gamers within the academy – and never simply them, however the entire nation in the intervening time. Everyone seems to be delighted.”
There’s additionally a sensible influence on the lives of those academy prospects in Domzhal. “Each time he strikes, we are going to obtain solidarity contributions, which implies lots to us as a soccer membership and has helped construct our academy,” provides Orazem.
“We had 20 beds, now we will have 28. We’re growing our coaching camp, quickly we are going to open a second discipline. This would not occur if we did not earn money. There are different transfers, however his was by far the most important. I hope he will get transferring once more quickly!”
Earlier than then, Cesc has a possibility to spice up his popularity as soon as once more with a robust exhibiting at Euro 2024. Orazem plans to be in Germany together with his household since Slovenia failed to participate within the match 24 years in the past.
“My mother and father mentioned they’d take me within the subsequent one. The following one by no means got here.” Now it’s right here. “We’re very completely satisfied for him and completely satisfied for everybody in Slovenia. His high quality offers us nice hope now. Maybe the World Cup will happen sooner or later.”
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Sesko goals of Slovenia. The nation has Luka Doncic, an NBA basketball participant. There’s a bike owner Thaddeus Pagakar. With Ceska, whose father Ales was a goalkeeper, every part is completely different. That is somebody who’s able to turning into the most effective forwards on the earth.
“He is going to achieve success wherever he goes. If he stays wholesome, he will do superb issues. This is not the final we’ll hear from him, it is only one step alongside the way in which. There’s much more to come back. I feel he will probably be a star we’ve not seen earlier than in Slovenia.”