Srdan Plavsic

Srdan Plavsic 21     Midfielder     Red Star Belgrade     Serbia

Skinny

This pocket sized attacking midfielder with <cliche> an absolute wand of a left foot </cliche> is just wonderful to watch.

Born in Novi Sad in December 1995, Plavšić worked his way through the youth ranks at FK Vojvodina's academy, but was released in 2012 after being told that he was too small to make it for the first team squad. No doubt utterly shattered by this news, the midfielder was able to secure a contract with ČSK Čelarevo in the Vojvodina League, the third tier of Serbian football.

After two impressive seasons with Čelarevo, Plavšić was signed by Spartak Subotica for their 2014-15 Superliga campaign. Playing in a deeper role than that which he would eventually occupy, the busy midfielder was tasked with instigating attacks from both the left and central midfield positions. Utilising his passing skills to great effect, Plavšić was the springboard as Subotica made inroads into the upper reaches of the division.

His progress and form at this point did not go unnoticed and, after a year with Subotica, Plavšić was signed by Red Star in August 2015. Given the number 17, the youngster made his debut at the Rajko Mitić in a 3-1 victory over Cuckaricki. Quickly winning over the fans with his direct running and clever passing, Plavšić started the majority of his team's outstanding 24 match winning run which would eventually deliver the league title.

2016 has been...

A good year. Given the opportunity to play in a more advanced role compared with the one he was afforded at Subotica, Plavšić has twisted and turned defences inside out for most of the last twelve months. Ending the title winning season with two goals and fifteen assists, the damage that the young midfielder caused was a key reason for Red Star's success. While Hugo Vieira was the focal point and a worthy player of the year in Serbia, the space and opportunities that Plavšić created for others must not be underestimated. Often kicked from pillar to post, the midfielder was a constant worry for opposition defenders who often had little option but to stop him unfairly.

A regular starter and a key player this season at Red Star, Plavšić was called up by Slavoljub Muslin to an experimental Serbia squad for their September friendly against Qatar.

What's next?

Plavšić was held back as a junior due to his size and it may well be that this remains an issue in future.  he's very accomplished at home and there's every reason to believe he will go on to make a lot of appearances for, and win a lot of trophies at Red Star.  Nevertheless it's almost impossible to imagine the diminutive midfielder having the physical presence to make any kind of impact in Europe's high profile leagues.  Other clubs have, and will continue, to look in, but we can't see any way that Plavšić could thrive in the hyper intense English premier league and may find the Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 tough going too. 

2017 needs to be about continual improvement and becoming the most important player for his club. Further international recognition will surely follow and we'd like nothing more than to see Plavšić demonstrate his unquestionable talent at the highest level possible.

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