Anas Sharbini

The conveyor belt of technically gifted, imaginative, creative midfielders coming out of Croatia seems to show no signs of slowing up. In recent months both Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic have announced themselves to the football world and it can only be a matter of time before another young midfielder from the Eastern European country makes a name for himself. Anas Sharbini burst on to the domestic Croatian scene last season. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder made just 17 appearances for NK Rijeka in his first two seasons at the club, in 2007/8 he played 28 games and scored 11 goals culminating in a call-up for the national squad to Euro 2008. Due to the depth of talent in Croatia 's midfield, Sharbini has yet to play for Slaven Bilic but his form in the early part of this season has yet again been impressive.  This technically two-footed player prefers to play as an attacking midfielder where he can influence events in the final third of the pitch. Sharbini's estimated market value is a fairly reasonable € 2,500K and with his contract due to expire in 2009/10 there could be a flock of clubs circling around this young talent if he continues to star this campaign. NK Rijeka struggled in the first three games of the season, picking up just one point from three games. But, Sharbini has been prominent in two of the three victories recorded in NK Rijeka's most recent matches. In the 3-1 win over Hadjuk Split, he scored a trademark goal, bursting through the midfield and finishing powerfully. (Sharbini was sent-off in this game for two bookable offences and his accumulation of yellow cards is probably his one main weakness.) In the most recent game playing for his club side, following his return from a one-game ban, Anas Sharbini scored what will probably end up as being one of the goals of the season in the Croatian league in the 3-1 win against Slaven Koprivnica . Continuing the fine tradition of Croatian talents such as Zvonimir Boban and Robert Prosinecki, Sharbini is an extraordinarily gifted creative player. Playing behind the strikers his technique and creativity come to the fore. And like many playmakers Sharbini is also a free-kick specialist . Like many current Croatian players, Anas Sharbini is a mix of nationalities. His father comes from Syria and as a result his second nationality is Syrian and he also speaks Arabic . Sharbini's mother is Croatian and he has publicly stated he will only play for Croatia after representing all the national youth sides. Anas' brother also plays for NK Rijeka, Ahmed is three years older and as a striker appeared to be destined for big things when he finished as top scorer for Rijeka two seasons in a row. Ahmed Sharbini tried his luck in the UAE and in Switzerland without much success and is now back at Rijeka benefitting from his brothers creative brilliance in the centre of midfield.