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Red Bull Salzburg's Oscar Gloukh is a target for Premier League clubs;
Israeli youngster has the talent but choosing Salzburg over Barcelona
could be key to his development; find out why with exclusive insight from
their head coach Gerhard Struber...

It was Oscar Gloukh’s performances at the European U19 Championships

in 2022 that alerted the world to his potential. Interest from Barcelona was
eschewed in favour of a move to Red Bull Salzburg but do not expect his
rise to be delayed for long.

In the autumn, his name was mentioned in reports linking him with
Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. Soon after, it was Aston Villa
said to be monitoring his progress. What is it that makes the 19-year-old
Israel international such an appealing target?
Gerhard Struber, his head coach at Salzburg, is the man to ask. Under the
Austrian, Gloukh has already scored in a Champions League win over
Benfica in the Estadio da Luz and netted an equalising goal against Inter in
the San Siro so far this season.
"Oscar is, from a technical standpoint, a different player," Struber tells Sky
Sports. "He brings a lot of football intelligence with him. He is a scorer but
also a hard worker. I think that mix makes him very interesting for the top
clubs in Europe's best leagues right now."

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Gloukh starred for his country as a No 10 in that U19 tournament in 2022,

scoring a superb goal against England in the final. But it is cutting in from
the left that he has found success with Salzburg. The team have even
focused their attacks down that flank.

Those goals against Benfica and Inter highlight just why Gloukh chose
Austria as his next step. The interest from Barcelona came late but the
player suggested his decision would have been the same regardless. "It
makes more sense for my development."

The example of Erling Haaland is a compelling one for young players.

Gloukh knows this. So do the club. "Salzburg can be a trampoline for many
big talents. You have the chance to play at a good level and at the same
time in the Champions League," says Struber.

"That is everything players want because you get to play against the best
teams in Europe so if you realise good performances it is clear that you
have an interesting phase for the next transfer. We are a very interesting
environment for young players."

Phúc

Gloukh had already showed his potential while at Maccabi Tel Aviv, scoring
against the Israeli champions Maccabi Haifa on his senior debut. But the
biggest clubs will have learned more from his experiences over the past 12
months playing abroad in Austria.

There are more difficult competitions in Europe but the expectations are
high at Salzburg. This is a club that has won the Austrian title for 10
consecutive seasons. Competing in Europe is part of the job but winning
domestically is non-negotiable.

"This is the challenge for the young boys. To jump out of the Champions
League and then go into a Bundesliga game with a completely different
psychological demand. They do not only have to win but win the right way,
playing an attractive style.

"The standards are very high here. The expectations are there from the
fans. For some young players this is a lot of pressure so we have to find
the balance to give the players the right tools and the right mental plan so
that they can handle that pressure."

Brian

The indications are that Gloukh can handle it. In what has become a more
awkward season than Salzburg are accustomed to, he has scored in each
of their last two narrow home wins to ensure that Struber's side went into
the winter break two points clear at the top.

If that ticks the mentality box, and the technical skills are not in doubt, the
move to Salzburg is also designed to prove his physicality. The Red Bull
model of Ralf Rangnick is built on high pressing. For the diminutive Gloukh,
5ft 7in, it is becoming another asset in his game.

"We are bringing him also into the typical style of play - very aggressive,
very proactive, working hard against the ball," explains Struber. "We give
the players a high level of support so they can develop in the right way
playing an interesting style of play."

It could persuade the Premier League of his potential. "Many clubs look to
us for best practice. From here, they jump to Germany, they jump to
England," adds Struber. Haaland joined Salzburg in January 2019 and left
in January 2020. Gloukh may be next.