Aberdeen midfielder Ante Palaversa has been fortunate enough to be advised and guided by one of the greatest football coaches of all-time.
Well before signing for the Dons in the summer, the Croatian was on the books at Premier League giants Manchester City under Pep Guardiola having moved there from Hadjuk Split.
It was clear Guardiola saw something in Palaversa with the Spaniard splurging £7m to take him to the Etihad Stadium and develop his career.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be a poor deal for both City and Palaversa. He would spend three years in Manchester without making a single competitive appearance and was sent out on loan four times.
He left permanently for Troyes and is now, of course, striving under Jimmy Thelin at Pittodrie with Aberdeen fans appreciative of the talent he possesses.
Ante Palaversa on relationship with Pep Guardiola
Despite his disappointing time at City, Palaversa has only good things to say about Guardiola when looking back on his relationship with him.
As quoted in the Daily Record, Palaversa said: “I was always on loan but after every game, it didn’t matter if it was an important game or not, there would be an individual report. What you have done good or what you have done badly.
“After every game I would have that connection with him (Guardiola) when he would call and we would speak about the game. It was really good. You have to come to that level (at Manchester City).”
Palaversa responds to Paul Pogba comparison
As mentioned, Palaversa came through at Hadjuk Split before his mega move to Man City in 2019. And it was there where he played with current Dundee United star Vicko Sevelj.
Like Palaversa, Sevelj moved to the Premiership in the summer and the Aberdeen star admits he was happy to see his old mate move to Tannadice.
But he couldn’t quite believe what Sevelj said in October about him when the United midfielder compared Palaversa to former Manchester United player Paul Pogba.
Palaversa offered a response, saying: “Really, he said I was like Paul Pogba? No way. Okay, okay, that’s good. We were a really good team back then with a lot of great players my age. He was one of them.
“I told him I was coming to Aberdeen and we could meet for coffee or lunch. We were together at the academy of Hajduk Split and we were the same age group.
“We (Sevelj and I ) played together for six or seven years and he is a really good guy and player. I’m happy he is also here and doing good.”