UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE | KOSTA NEDELJKOVIĆ AND JAN KARLO SIMIĆ ABOUT THEMSELVES, THE EAGLES, IDOLS, ASTON VILLA AND ANDERLECHT
There are several new names of the list of players of the head coach Dragan Stojković for youngest European national team competition matches, and which will serve as a good preparation for the next cycle of qualifying matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. General football public heard about Kosta Nedeljković (19) and Jan Karlo Simić (19) for the first time in May 2022, when U-17 team lead by the coach Radovan Krivokapić achieved great success (3rd place) at the European U-17 Championship held in Israel. It was a launching moment for many players born in 2005, and after only two years, now the first among them, the first team players of Aston Villa and Anderlecht will make their debut for the Serbian best team.
Kosta Nedeljković, a player of Aston Villa since this summer, is a guy who does not hide that he has been dreaming with his eyes wide open these days…
“The feeling of being in Pazova is familiar to me, we have always felt good here, first in the youth teams, and now, thank God, in the A team”, Kosta Nedeljković points out.
He played for the U-17 and U-19 teams, skipped the U-21 and managed to reach the list of head coach Dragan Stojković.
“I was on the provisional list before the European Championship, those were difficult moments for me because of an injury. I signed for Aston Villa in January, stayed at Crvena zvezda for six months, but already in February had an injury that put me off the field for more than two months. After my late recovery it was not realistic for me to be on the list for EURO, but two, three months later, here I am, healthy and ready to help the national team.
How many players in Aston Villa are faster than Kosta Nedeljković?
“None! There is no faster. Centre shots, one on one… we make analyzes after every training session and match, so we can correct mistakes, everything must be better, that is the only way to make progress.
Unai Emery is a coach of great football reputation, a four-time winner of the Europa League, an expert who has worked in big clubs. How would Kosta Nedeljković describe a coach who enjoys immense respect among football fans:
“If I had to do it in one word, it would be passion. He has a very good relationship with all the players, he is glad to help everyone, spends his time at the stadium from morning to night, always available to everyone. That passion and that zest in him, always by your side with the right advice, he is always there to say what and how should be done, he demonstrates everything, he would even draw, if necessary. He is great at scouting rivals, I think that tactically he is perfect.
What are your impressions after the first matches, West Ham, Arsenal, Leicester… For many, the Premier League is the best league in the world.
“I think so too. It is also the hardest. I dreamed of these moments, I played in all three matches, everything is going in its own way.”
Of the Premier League players, who has left the strongest impression on Kosta so far?
“I played with Zvezda against City, in the Champions League matches. In general, what is the most recent, it is a duel with Vardy, I forced that yellow card. I was nine or ten when Leicester qualified from the Championship and became a sensation, won the Premier League with Vardy and other players, known to everyone. And now I’m playing against that Vardy, the legend, it is unreal. It is my definitely my strongest impression from the Premier League so far.
Of the Aston Villa teammates, who is the most interesting?
“Dibu Martinez. He is like a father to us all. He wants to help everyone, we would say “positively crazy”, great guy, champion. Amazing goalkeeper. I am fascinated by his motivation, he is among the best goalkeepers in the world, an exceptional professional, very hardworking and dedicated, unbelievable worker.”
We are waiting for the match with Spain, how to go against such a dream team?
“They convincingly won the European Championship; they played the most attractive football in every way. When I was in Crvena zvezda I played against Dani Olmo, Torres, my teammate from Aston Villa Torres has now been summoned for the team… Spain is a big team, but one should not overestimate everything. Respect yes, they may be the best in the world right now, but if we act as a compact team and do what we are asked to do on the pitch, I think we can stand up to anyone.”
Is Kosta sorry that his countryman from Smederevo, Aleksandar Mitrović, is not with the team?
“Yes, there is a picture taken ten years ago, when he was in Anderlecht, his cousins live on my street in Smederevo, he used to come often, and I played street football there… Later on, I also got shorts, and a Newcastle jersey.”
Jan Karlo Simić also does not hide that the feeling is great, and he points out that he spoke with the head coach long before this summons.
“I had the opportunity to meet coach Stojković in Turin, when I still was a player of Milan, when we played against Juventus. Being here is a dream come true, I cannot believe that I am with these guys, professionals, stars of European football. I am very grateful for the trust shown and I am ready to do my best”, “German student”, Jan Karlo Simić says.
The moment he was summoned to the A team, he put an emotional message on Instagram, showing how much the jersey of the national team meant to him. And there is no better moment for a challenge than a match with the current European champion – Spain, and then Denmark.
“Spain is a great team, the best team of Europe. However, if we give our maximum, we can play against any team, without fear, believing in ourselves and our possibilities. Spain outplayed practically every single opponent at the European Championship, they have great individuals, they won all individual awards at the tournament. I played against Yamal during the preparatory period in the USA, but I also like Nico Williams a lot. Generally, they are strong in all positions, they are all top players of the highest class.”
Nations League matches will be a good test for the most important thing, successful qualifications for 2026 World Cup. Serbia wants to play the third consecutive major competition.
“The dream of every player is to play in the World Cup or European Championship, for Nedeljković and me it would be the first. That is the goal of the FA, the head coach, and us players. I believe we can achieve it.”
His football career started in German Stuttgart, and then he got a call from Milan, from the man who was his idol.
“Yes, Paolo Maldini was the player I adored, watched him a million times on YouTube. I was in the gym when my father said to me, son, Maldini is on the phone, he wants you in Milan. I could not believe it, I heard his voice, he asked me if I would come to Milan… He told me later, have fun at the pitch, passion is the key element of every success. I think work ethic is the most important, what you give, mentality and character that you have. And working with Abate in Milan helped me a lot, he played a lot of matches in Serie A as a defender, his advice meant a lot for me to improve in Primavera, to enter the first team later. I am also grateful to him for everything.”
His debut match for Milan was against Monza, and there were not many players who scored on their debut for Rossoneri.
“I was the third or fourth in the club’s history to get lucky enough to do that. I still get goosebumps when I think of that moment. Maybe it was the most beautiful day in my life, the result of some great work, sacrifice. My sister, parents, and family were there with me. We celebrated 3:0 and since then I have been asked about that goal a million times, in Italy, in Belgium… it is an unbelievable feeling, I can only thank coach Pioli for the chance presented to me. Later I also played against Napoli, Salernitana…”
However, Belgium and Anderlecht are the next stop, and the reason is very simple for the young player.
“I want continuity, I want full time, that is why I asked for a change, and I think Anderlecht is the right choice. We also play in the Europa League, the Belgian league is very good, high-quality and a top address for a young player. We have started well, we have no defeat, and we are still growing as a team because there are many new players, we all need to fit together. I had an assistance in the match against Dinamo Minsk, for qualification for Europa League, but my task is primarily defense.”
Has dad told the new national team player about Piksi…
“Yes, yes. When I told him we spoke in Turin, he could not believe it. Let alone when I showed him some pictures… “
