Newcastle United are closing in on the signing of exciting Serbian youngster Miodrag Pivas this summer – and the 19-year-old comes with a wealth of pressure on his shoulders after being compared to some of his country’s finest ever players.
Pivas, who gained promotion to Serbia’s top flight with Jedinstvo last season, has been making waves back home after 34 appearances in all competitions. National legend Nemanja Matic has certainly been in impressed, expressing his excitement over the young defender back in April.
In a bold statement, the former Manchester United and Chelsea star actually compared Pivas to two defenders who have also represented those two clubs, likening the centre-back to Red Devils legend Nemanja Vidic and Blues hero Branislav Ivanovic.
“Great talent and serious potential,” Matic said when asked about Pivas. “If he continues like this, he will be on his way to the national team. In my opinion, a player with such predispositions has not appeared since Nemanja Vidić and Branislav Ivanovic. A complete player and top professional.”
“It’s really refreshing to see such a young player, who approaches his duties so seriously and professionally,” he told the media earlier this year. “He is always in a good mood and does his best to meet the demands that are expected of him on the field. There is still a lot of room for improvement and I have no doubt that he will achieve his full potential.”
