#1 Mario Mandžukić
Embed from Getty ImagesAt 34, Mandžukić’s decorated career is definitely winding down.
After a break-out Euro 2012, under national team manager Slaven Bilić, where Mandžukić joint-top scored, he joined Bayern Munich and went on to win the treble in his first season.
Since then, Mandžukić has quietly established himself as one of Europe’s most prolific and underrated strikers.
After a couple of seasons at Bayern he was signed by Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid before being moved on to Juventus a season later, playing for the Turin heavyweights for four successful seasons.
His time in Italy will be forever remembered for that goal in the Champions League final in 2017, an award-winning overhead kick which was Juventus’ only goal in a 4-1 drubbing against Real Madrid.
But Mandžukić, amongst those that have coached him, is more well-known for his no-frills target man play, endless running and clinical attacking instincts.
He’s exactly the sort of player I’m sure Bilić would love to have again at his disposal.
According to Joseph Masi at the Express and Star, Bilić has stated that he’s a huge Mandžukić fan and would love to sign him.
As a physical 6’3 target man, his style of play would also suit the Baggies, who require a forward who offers an out-ball and provides intelligent movement and solid hold-up play.
But whilst his footballing credentials are superb, there will be some doubts as to whether Albion could afford his wages and whether, at 34, he could keep up with the speed and intensity of the Premier League in order to justify that salary.
Mandžukić is currently a free agent after leaving Qatari side Al-Duhail after a goalless six month stint.
Could Bilić bring the best out of Mandžukić if he were to sign for Albion? Or have we seen the best of Croatia’s second-highest goalscorer?
It’s hard to gauge how likely a signing this could be but it’s certainly not out the realms of possibility.
WBA Report 