Partizan Sporting Director Ivica Kralj spoke to media representatives at today`s official winter preps kick-off date.
“First of all, I wish our club good results, success, trophies and European football next season. As for the sporting department, we are always busy but I don`t think there`ll be no much transfer activity this winter. We signed 11 players during summer transfer window and we can only look for minor number of new additions, I don`t expect many arrivals this time around.
We analyzed past six months and Igor Duljaj underlined playing positions he would expect us to sign new players for – defensive midfield and wing attacker”, said Ivica Kralj.
It was a rollercoaster of the season so far. At some point, Partizan was 6 points ahead of the nearest table rival only to enter final game before the winter break trailing two points behind the leaders. But, win in a Eternal derby game allowed Partizan to climb back to the top of the pile, one point ahead of the bitter rival.
“When you look back at it, we have to be pleased. It`s on us to get ready for more and to think about sporting matters only”.
There are rumours about departures, including Saldanha, Ilic and Markovic among others.
“As for Saldanha…I`m a sporting director and I`m interested in keeping this team intact. Therefore, Saldanha is not for sale. He is important player to us and club`s decision is to keep him here unless there`s a lucrative offer you simply have to look at. Currently, there`s no such offer on the table and this decision would be made by general director anyway.
As for the other players...I`d love to see them stay with us but there are talks going on. Our objectives are clear and that`s why we need to keep this team together. There is a possibility of someone departing but none of the players who arrived last summer”, said Kralj.
Ivica Kralj and his associates did a great job last summer but Partizan Sporting Director got suspended for six months soon after for his comments on refereeing.
“My suspension expires in February. We are scouting lots of players and the market is huge. There`s always pressure but market activites and new signing depend on our financial abilities. We were doing it step by step last summer but we need to be much quicker this time around”.
Some players like Pantic or Sanicanin didn`t get much playing time during the first part of the season.
“Although some players didn`t play as much as we would expect them to, they are quality players for sure, in competition as anyone else. We`ll see what going to happen during winter preps.
Also, there are young players around Serbia who can play for Partizan and we have lots of talent coming through Partizan youth scheme, 7 or 8 of them will join us for Cyprus preps. It`s a proof of good work done by our youth department”, said Kralj.
Partizan changed winter preps destination from Turkey to Cyprus.
“Some 45 days ago we had Turkey preps agreed but it turns out we are going to Cyprus. While there, it seems we`ll have less teams to play friendlies againsy but we arranged three of them, against Mladost Lucani, Nea Salamis and Ethnikos, hoping to arrange two more”, said Kralj.
