‘The Boy Has Got Skills’ – Man City’s Vladimir Weiss

After raising his profile last week in Man City’s 3-0 win over Arsenal in the Carling Cup, I have decided this week to look at the Blues’ young Slovakian winger Vladimir Weiss. Weiss has risen through the youth ranks at Eastlands since he was taken at a young age from Inter Bratislava and impressed during City’s FA Youth Cup victory in 2008. He scored in the second leg of the final against Chelsea, which they won 4-2 on aggregate, and he is seen as a real star for the future at the club.

Weiss has a lot to live up to, as both his father and grandfather, both also called Vladimir, have played for their country and his father is also now Slovakia Head Coach. There have already been comparisons to City great Georgi Kinkladze, and there are certainly promising signs from the youngster. He is an old fashioned winger and loves running at defences with the ball at his feet. He strikes fear in his opponents with brilliant dribbling skills, and unlike many wingers he also has an accurate cross.

It is no surprise he is held in high regard by City and manager Mark Hughes. Hughes said back in September:

We have high hopes for Vladi. He has worked exceptionally hard and deserved his chance at the end of last season. The more games he plays at a high level, the better he’ll get.

His debut for the first team came against Bolton in the last game of last season when he came on as a substitute for Stephen Ireland in a 1-0 home victory. This season he has yet to break into the first team and with so many big name stars in the team, it may be hard for the young Slovakian to get the break he needs at Eastlands. He has had however, no such problems at international level. His father gave him his debut for Slovakia against Iceland back in August and any cries of nepotism were quickly quietened when the young winger made a very impressive debut. His fleet-footedness, skill on the ball and the ability to take on full backs have made him a creative outlet in the Slovakian side and has subsequently become a mainstay in the team. His skill to create a crucial goal against Northern Ireland in the World Cup qualifier in Belfast demonstrates Weiss’s growing influence on the team:

He has had six starts so far for his country, more than he has had in his entire career at City, but this may soon start to change if he continues his excellent performances. He played the full 90 minutes against Barcelona in a friendly back in August, in October he came on in a Carling Cup tie against Scunthorpe to provide an assist to Carlos Tevez, and only last week he sealed a 3-0 victory over Arsenal with a terrific strike after coming off the bench.

Weiss certainly has the talent; the question will be whether it is realised at City. He does have excellent dribbling and crossing ability but his judgement and decision-making can leave a lot to be desired. Like many wingers he can be selfish with the ball, sometimes taking on too many players or shooting when it would be much better to pass. At 20 years of age, he has got plenty of time to learn and commenting back in March, Weiss says he will be patient at City:

There are so many great players at the club that it is difficult to break through, but I am willing to be patient and wait for my chance to come. I will speak to my dad about things in the summer, but I am only 19 and I want to see what happens at City. Maybe I can go on loan somewhere, but I am patient and there is no need to rush.

Since then, Hughes has opted not to put him out on loan and so we may just see a little bit more of the young winger in a City shirt in the months and years to come.