Serbia has produced more than its fair share of talented young midfielders in recent years, and the next man looking to cash in on the breakthrough is Valencia’s Uroš Račić.
The 22-year-old joined Valencia back in 2018 but has spent the past two seasons on loan in Spain and then Portugal, and his performances have grabbed the headlines as Manchester United are linked with the Serb.
Here’s everything you need to know about Račić.
Doesn’t play like RaceMatic/DeFoddyImages/GettyImages.
Despite being billed as the heir to Nemanja Matic’s throne at the heart of Serbia’s midfield, comparisons between Račić and the United man are a bit broad. Some Serbian outlets are laughing at the idea.
While he has been filling that role for Serbia’s under-21 team, he told Mozart Sport that he actually feels more at home in a senior role because he likes to do everything – including Scoring.
Instead, the comparison to Lazio powerhouse Sergej Milinković-Savić makes more sense.
Risque is a big fan of Pogba / James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images
Another box-to-box midfielder like Račić is United’s Paul Pogba, who happens to be a favorite of the Valencia man.
He told Blic Sport that he enjoys watching the Frenchman to find out what he needs to do to improve and reach such a high level, but he is not afraid to take advice from anyone.
When he signed for Valencia, he also said (via Marca) that he enjoyed watching Andres Iniesta and Luka Modric.
Risque has always supported himself / Secret Images / Getty Images.
After first joining Valencia in 2018, Račić did not get much game time, which led to him joining Tenerife on loan, and he admitted that he was the driving force behind the move as he felt that He’s not getting the minutes he deserves.
“I really don’t think so [Geoffrey] Kondogbia, [Dani] Even more [Francis] Coquelin is much better than me,” he said. “I believed I could play and deserved minutes. That’s why I decided to go to Tenerife.”
Many reports of Račić’s time with Tenerife describe him as an idol to the fans, but the mood surrounding his time was not always so positive.
Račić ended the season struggling to hold down a regular place in the first team, and then Tenerife boss José Luis Oltra told El Dia that his performances were not always as good as they seemed.
He described Račić’s stats as ‘just bad’ and singled out a particularly poor performance against Almeria, though ended by insisting there were still plenty of positives.
Tenerife won just two of 16 games with him in the team, but won all five without him. Make of it what you will.
Račić has previously said that La Liga is his favorite league in the world, but he admitted to Sport Club that he also has a soft spot for the Premier League.
His biggest goal is to win the Champions League, he said, adding that he dreams of leading Serbian team Red Star one day.
One of the biggest stories in European football last season was the emergence of Famalicão, a newly promoted team that topped the table and went head-to-head with Portugal’s biggest sides for most of the season. .
Račić was part of the side, spending the campaign on loan, making 39 appearances in all competitions and finishing with three goals and two assists.
That form attracted interest from both Porto and Benfica, but neither were ready to meet Valencia’s demands.
Uro’s goal – @FCF1931_Official – Uros Racic
J15 – Famalicão x Vitória FC
Let’s pick the best goal of the NOS league at the moment. The goal with the most parts would be @ligaportugal’s favorite or best goal at the moment. Share your favorite at https://t.co/u1I6lyivZd or on our FB. pic.twitter.com/uudNqKzQOp
— SPORT TV (@SPORTTVPortugal) May 13, 2020
He may not score many goals, but when he does, Račić makes sure they are quite memorable.
He earned the Goal of the Week award for the screamer against Vitória Setúbal which you can watch above, but there’s also a worldly one against Moreirense and a stunning one against Sporting CP that you can enjoy.
Račić may have only scored three goals in Portugal, but he was worth the wait.
Risk is eager to stay with Valencia / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
After a rough start to life in Spain, Račić admits he has finally adjusted to life there and is in no rush to leave.
In an interview with Valencia (via Superdeporte) that he now speaks more Spanish and has been helped by many of his teammates, he is now only focused on wanting to succeed with Valencia.
He later clarified that he would only leave if manager Javi Gracia wanted him to.
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