Slovenia have had top-class soccer gamers earlier than. Samir Handanovic and Jan Oblak come to thoughts. “But they were both goalkeepers,” Matej Orazem tells Sky Sports activities. “Goalkeepers can be stars but it is a completely different thing to have a striker.”
Benjamin Sesko is that striker. The 21-year-old RB Leipzig participant has been attracting curiosity from the continent’s largest golf equipment since he was in his mid-teens and can lead the road for Slovenia at Euro 2024. “I think that he is destined for greatness,” provides Orazem.
Orazem is the sporting director at NK Domzale, the membership in Slovenia that took Sesko into their academy on the age of 15. The earliest recollections of him had been the whispers a couple of boy residing close by who had scored 50 targets in a single season in opposition to a lot older gamers.
“We were quite quick after that. By the time that the media speculation began and bigger clubs noticed him, we already had an agreement. For anyone who went to see him, it was pretty obvious. He was pretty much a slam dunk at a very young age.”
Bodily, Sesko stands out. He’s now 6’5″ and was not a lot shorter then. There are tales about him kicking basketballs from out of the ring. With a prime pace of 35.47 kilometres per hour, he’s additionally one of many quickest gamers within the Bundesliga. A real athlete.
“The physicality was the defining factor. He was amazing. With some young talents, you want them to play with the older guys but if they are not physically ready then you are a little more wary. With Beny, there was no doubt because of his physical presence.”
Sesko was within the U19 facet at Domzale on the age of 16. “The only regret we have is not debuting him in the senior team as well.” The rationale it didn’t occur is as a result of quickly after, at simply 17, he was off to Purple Bull Salzburg, prepared for the subsequent step on his journey.
Orazem believes Domzale performed their half. “We are proud of every moment that he spent here. “I believe it was essential. Our academy was the possibility to be away from dwelling in a recognized surroundings and start to grow to be accustomed to the unknown.”
Sesko’s alternative of membership was a shrewd one. There have been extra well-known choices however collectively together with his household and agent Elvis Basanovic, it was the pathway that was the precedence. Salzburg may supply high quality teaching but additionally a transparent path to the highest finish of the sport.
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Initially, there was the chance to play senior soccer with second-tier facet FC Liefering. From there, the link-up with Leipzig supplied a pure development to the Bundesliga at a membership the place all the pieces from the techniques to the tradition could be extra acquainted.
It helped too that Salzburg was solely 180 miles north of Domzale. “It was not too much of a shock. He could see his family. It was a brilliant choice. There were options in Italy, Germany and England but it was a really good offer for everyone,” says Orazem.
“Salzburg was crucial in his development. Even though he was already a good player here, he learned a lot in Salzburg, progressing incredibly as a player and a person. Every move until now has been correct. Moving to Leipzig was not too big a step for him.”
Eighteen targets in his last season in Salzburg persuaded Leipzig that Sesko was prepared for that step final summer time. He began slowly. “He needed a little bit of time but showed everyone in the second half of the season.” Sesko completed up with one other 18 targets in Germany.
Benjamin Sesko boasted the most effective strike charges within the Bundesliga
Certainly, solely Harry Kane and Serhou Guirassy may boast higher strike charges within the Bundesliga. Leipzig’s counter-attacking fashion suited him with a lot of his possibilities coming after bursting clear together with his tempo however he was additionally a serious menace from set-pieces.
Sesko’s skillset is uncommon. He instinctively needs to run at defences from deep together with his nice pace however he’s additionally a participant who has the bodily functionality of a goal man. Solely Kane scored extra headed targets within the competitors. Furthermore, he can play.
“It is not just the physicality, it is the technical aspect.” It makes for an irresistible mixture for the highest golf equipment and helps to elucidate why Sesko was strongly linked with Arsenal, amongst others, earlier than agreeing to increase his cope with Leipzig.
Benjamin Sesko’s warmth map and shot map in his debut Bundesliga season
That appears wise after just one season. There’s loads of time if he stays match and he has been diligent on that rating. “He is very disciplined and that has prevented any injuries that, especially for bigger guys, can be problematic. He has been managed really well.”
In Domzale, his legacy is felt even when he by no means did make a senior look for the membership. “It is difficult to find the next Sesko but he is inspiring the players in the academy – and not only them but the whole country at the moment. Everyone is in awe.”
There’s the sensible affect on the lives of these academy prospects at Domzale too. “Every time that he is transferred we will get solidarity contributions, which is of huge importance to us as a football club and has helped to build our academy,” provides Orazem.
“We had 20 beds, now we can have 28. We are developing our training camp with a second pitch coming soon. That would not happen if we were not making money. There are other transfers but his was by far the biggest. Hopefully, he moves again soon!”
Earlier than that, there’s the chance for Sesko to raise his fame as soon as extra with a robust displaying at Euro 2024. Orazem plans to be in Germany together with his household, having missed out on Slovenia’s solely earlier look within the match 24 years in the past.
“My parents said they would take me to the next one. The next one never came.” It’s right here now. “We are really happy for him and happy for everyone in Slovenia. His quality gives us a lot of hope now. Perhaps there will be a possible World Cup in the future.”
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Sesko has Slovenia dreaming. The nation has Luka Doncic, the NBA basketball participant. There’s bike owner Tadej Pogacar. With Sesko, whose personal father Ales had been a goalkeeper, it’s totally different. That is somebody able to turning into one of many world’s greatest strikers.
“He will be successful wherever he goes. If he stays healthy, he will do amazing things. This is not the last time we will be hearing about him, it is just one step along the way. There is a lot more to come. I think he will be a star that we have not seen in Slovenia before.”
