First Name: Miloš
Surname: Kerkez
Squad Number: 6
Position: Defender
D.O.B.: 07.11.2003.
Town of Birth: Vrbas
Country of Birth: Serbia
Nationality: Hungarian
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https://x.com/TheAthleticFC/status/2082059045075128395
That’s why I didn’t post it back then; I already suspected something wasn’t right. I mean, seriously—what woman would agree to get married the day before training starts again? That couldn’t be right.
(It was a picture from his brother’s wedding in which he could be seen together with the bride.)
“I keep having to explain that I never got married this summer,” he laughs after taking a seat in a plush rooftop bar overlooking downtown Chicago. “I was going around the club and people started to congratulate me. Everyone gets this wrong. I’m like: ‘No, I’m not ready for this yet!’.”
“It was my brother Rade who got married,” he says. “In Serbia, it is normal for the younger brothers to take the bride to the church. That’s what I did and now everyone thinks I got married.”
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Non-paywall article on the Guardian:
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Defensive wise, solid today, yes he did allow those inswinging crosses but with 3 CB’'s defending them not an issue better than allowing him in behind for a lower cut back as happened forvtheir goal against Manure.
Really really needs to improve on the ball, so indecisive, sees a pass but doesn’t play it, just not good enough on the ball for our level at the moment.
Love his effort and attitude, but we need better quality from him.
I don’t know if I expected more from him from the start because of Iraola but I think he looked much better in the second half of the last season than in the three matches he played this season.
While I love his commitment, especially when defending one-on-ones, he’s too ponderous when attacking - and the quality of his crosses has also taken a hit. I really hope Iraola will make him work on that. Not everyone can be Robertson or Trent but if Iraola decides to play more often with a defensive right back, the focus will be on Kerkez to deliver better attacking performances from the opposite flank.
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I think I’m close to giving up on Kerkez. I’m reaching the point where I think when we come to replace Tsimi next summer we’d be best off looking for a new first-choice LB and relegate Kerkz to backup.
That needless, wild challenge last night could have easily resulted in a sending off, and he was lucky to only escape with a yellow. I’m just not convinced he’s the brightest bulb in the box.
Would give my eye teeth to bring in Lewis Hall to play ahead of him.
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For me he’s doing ok and I can not understand why we are inventing problems on the left when we have enough on the right.
I thought he did very well at the end of last season and has so far 2 good matches under his belt this season. Last night he held off a bit too much letting his man into the area then got into some moody stuff late on so not as good even so he operated in a defence that didn’t leak a goal.
Probably needs to do better when going forward. As things are I’m happy with him.
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He´s a bit daft and reckless at times but I think he´s passable for now.
He´s reasonably solid 1v1 and works hard to get back. Interesting to see how he does with Barcola.
He’s playing like an idiot. Charges out on his own, tries passes that have no chance of getting through, makes wild challenges out of the blue and with no reason. Add to that, that he is offering next to nothing offensively, and you have to ask if his days are already numbered as the clear starter.
He’s been a disappointment so far; Hopefully, Iraola gets something out of him because if he continues like this, we will be going after a new LB sooner rather than later.
Thought he was fine last night, Isak’s first goal all started with his intervention. I like how full blooded he is, doesn’t shy away from a challenge (nor should he), gets up and down the flank well. He’s fairly experienced & it’s easy to lose sight of the fact he’s still only 22 when fans talk about binning him off already.
But yes he has some areas to improve, clearly…
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He plays like a raccoon on crack.
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I fail to see what his strength is. Maybe only his pressing, otherwise everything looks average. He doesn’t give me any confidence against top-class wingers IMO. However, he’s still young — don’t know if he can improve, or if we have enough patience to wait.
I really don’t want to spend more money on LB. If Kerkez can’t make it, I just hope some youngsters can step up.
Alberto Moreno vibes
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Some shades of Moreno, aye. Moreno had a much better passing game and was quicker, but he was so nuts he regularly did stupid things and dived in constantly.
Kerkez does daft things sometimes but he is fairly solid 1v1 and not quite as zealous to kick and chase everything. A bit more solid and dependable.
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I suspect we’re gonna end up getting someone better and more dependable both offensively and defensively and Kerkez will act as his backup until eventually leaving
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Yeah could be right. He´d be okay as backup. He is young still so may significantly improve. Not sure of too many full backs who are that rash that grow out of it but maybe he can.
For the short term I think he´s fine. He´s not a consistent problem area for us.
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Defensively Kerkez is very good, he rarely gets beaten 1 v 1.
It is on the ball that he is disappointing, poor and late pass selection, poor crossing and on numerous occasions he turns inside on his right foot which he doesn’t/can’t use.
With Araujo as the RB, we need a LB that is more of a threat offensively, I still have hopes for him because I like his never say die attitude, but he nees to be better.
I said it once before both him and Frimpong need to stay behind and practice crossing until their feet bleed.
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I’m just not a fan, never will be I think. Just not my cup of tea at all. Didn’t need much time to conclude that a year ago. And I doubt whether he plays more tucked in or “unleashed” will make much (or enough) of a difference.
I’m fine to have him in the squad in the next couple of years since he does have age on his side (being a relatively young player at soon to be 23), certain physical qualities I like and he seems like someone who can stay fit, cope with the demand of many games and rhythm of games.
Like Carra said, he does everything too hectic and that’s just not a good sign. Not for a defender. Especially if your technical game can’t carry it and I don’t think he’s that good. I know it can happen that you win the biggest trophies with much worse players than Kerkez in your XI, but I’m just not convinced he’ll be the best answer long term as a starter in that position.
In that final Bournemouth season, he had a few eye catching/season highlight assists (was it against City at home and Spurs away, right?), but we need to see more consistency with that left foot delivery. And not only crossing, also in the more simpler things he struggles. Will be interesting to know what Barcola thinks after a few months when he compares Kerkez to Mendes. And their ceilings.
I was just mind boggled when we bought both Frimpong and Kerkez last summer (plus other moves). I thought the only way was maybe we had in plan to play with Kerkez more reserved almost like a Kyle Walker type with his aggression and recovery pace, while letting Frimpong play more higher on the right.
But both and both “bombing up and down”? No, not at all. This is not a FIFA game or something.
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I always thought Slot missed a trick not sitting Kerkez on the bench to watch Robertson. I feel he would have learnt so much particularly when it came to crossing. Robertson always had that little extra touch before his cross something Kerkez could do with learning.
Of course we have no idea of the relationship between Kerkez and Robertson off the pitch. What we seemed to see was a degradation between players in general on the pitch (communication and automations).
Anyway I think Kerkez improved over his 1st season and will probably improve this season as well. He’s enthusiastic but not in a silly/childish way like Frimpong. I’d say he’s not too different to Robertson.
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