With the transfer window in full swing, clubs will trying their hardest to sign the very best talents from around the world in order to gain silverware or even just survive in their league. One player who has gone under the radar for the past few years but would be a vital player for any team would be 23-Year-Old midfielder, Stanislav Lobotka who has been brilliant for his nation of Slovakia and been a star for his most recent club, Celta Vigo who play in the Spanish top flight.
Since signing for Celta Vigo in 2017, Stanislav Lobotka has been a key player for the spanish outfit and is highly rated by those who have seen him ply his trade. The defensive midfielder played in every single game in the 2017/18 season which shows how reliable and consistent he is and how good his fitness is to be able to play in every game, which is something that not many players can do. Lobotka did not score a single goal for Celta Vigo last season but it does not change the fact that he was brilliant for his side.
The youngster began his professional career back in 2011 when he made his debut for AS Trenčín in the season that they won the Slovakian second division, which is definitely a great way to make your debut. By the end of the 2010/11 season, Stanislav Lobotka made just 2 appearances but it was 2 positive games that would lead to his meteoric rise. His second season as a pro was not one that was packed with appearances as he only featured in 5 games during AS Trenčín’s first season back in the Slovakian top flight. The biggest positive Lobotka could take from his first season in the top flight was that in every game he featured in, AS Trenčín didn’t lose a single match, winning 3 and drawing 2.
The 2012/13 season would be the making of Lobotka’s career as he became a key figure for AS Trenčín. The 23-Year-Old made 31 appearances as he lead his side to a 3rd placed finish which secured them a place in the Europa League qualifiers. The Slovakian bagged his first goal and assist in this season, getting his first assist in the third game of the season in a 2-1 victory over Tatran Presov. He also scored his first professional goal 17 games in a 6-0 victory over Spartak Trnava, Lobotka scored the final goal of the game with a lovely finish that went under the keeper and you could see what it meant to him and his team mates as they bundled on the youngster. Lobotka would finish the season by scoring just once more.
His great form did not go unnoticed by Europes elite as Ajax signed Lobotka on loan with an option to buy. Sadly it wasn’t meant to be for the Slovakian international as he spent the entire season playing for Jong Ajax where he made 30 appearances, scoring 3 times and assisting once. The 23-Year-Old returned to AS Trenčín better than ever as in the next season, Lobotka lead his side to a league and cup double, winning the league by 5 points and beating FK Senica on 3-2 penalties in the Slovak cup final, Stanislav took his sides second penalty and ended up scoring it after AS Trenčín’s first penalty taker, Gino Van Kessel missed.
His rise in the footballing world was finally taking shape as on the final day of the transfer window, Stanislav Lobotka would sign for Danish outfit, Nordsjælland. Lobotka would be an instant fan favourite in Denmark as he hit the ground running and was putting in consistent, top class performances which lead Nordsjælland to a respectable 6th placed finish. The Slovakian would go onto be named his sides player of the year which is a massive achievement for the then 21-Year-Old in his first season in Denmark. In his second season he would be named Nordsjælland’s player of the year yet again which meant that the bigger clubs were most definitely watching as in July 2017, he secured a big move to La Liga with Celta Vigo.
Standing at just 5ft 7, Stanislav Lobotka is a defensive midfielder who is superb on the ball, can dictate play very well and turns defensive into attack with ease. The youngster also has great passing range which is something many managers desire in their defensive midfielder. With his consistent performances too, he is a player that deserves move to an even bigger club.
Internationally, Lobotka has represented his nation of Slovakia at 4 different age groups including at the senior level. The youngster played at U18, U19 and U21 level, making a combined total of 36 appearances, scoring a total of 4 goals. Since making his debut for Slovakia’s senior side back in 2016 as a late substitute in a friendly against Austria, Stanislav has played for his country 11 times and has become a key player in the heart of Slovakia’s side, making a great partnership with their best player in Marek Hamsik. The Slovakian has also scored 2 times for his nation with his first actually coming against England in a World Cup qualifier in a 2-1 defeat to the side who would go on to finish 4th in the World Cup. With good defensive midfielders being so sought after this season, clubs will definitely have their eye on this young talent as his consistency and brilliance on the ball will be a reason why the 23-Year-Old will go very far in the footballing World.
mitchellprocter 