Key playmaker Milos Dimitrijevic re-signs with Sydney FC [VIDEO]

Sydney FC has re-signed reigning A-League Player of the Year Milos Dimitrijevic on a new two-year deal that was confirmed last week.

The return of Dimitrijevic arguably makes Graham Arnold’s midfield the best in the country. Dimitrijevic is highly regarded by the club and fans, winning both the Sydney FC’s Players’ Player and Members’ Player of the Year for 2014-15.

The club and fans had long forgotten about Dimitrijevic, initially not re-signing when his contract expired in May. There were rumours of a big money offer from Brisbane Roar, but he entertained it only for a moment due to their ownership troubles and the fact they had no manager.

As the days wore on and June turned to July, most had given up hope on the 31-year-old remaining in a sky blue kit. It was clear that Dimitrijevic, like Nikola Petkovic, believed his future lay closer to home or potentially, retirement was on the horizon.

Clearly though, he used his long vacation to really think about his future. On the afternoon of the last Tuesday in July, Sydney FC announced the news that Dimitrijevic had committed to the club, re-signing for not one but two seasons.

“I thought long and hard during the off season about where I wanted to play my football and I am happy I have made the right decision,” Dimitrijevic said.

“I’m really happy to be re-signing for Sydney FC. Working with Arnie again and competing in Asia were huge drawcards for staying. I can’t wait to see all of my team mates again and get back to working at a club like Sydney FC.”

It was undoubtedly a huge about-face from the player. Part of Dimitrijevic’s reasons for re-signing was to build on the club’s success in 2014-15, and the lure of playing in the Asian Champions League in 2016.

When Dimitrijevic first arrived at Sydney FC in January 2014, he was an injury replacement player. He was unfit, having not played a game since negotiating his release from Serbian Super Liga outfit Crvena Zvezda, as a result of the club’s financial problems. He was unfit but his class on the ball was clear to see.

One of Graham Arnold’s first tasks when appointed as the manager of Sydney FC was to re-sign Dimitrijevic on a one year deal. His faith in the club’s recommendations to re-sign him were rewarded throughout the 2014-15 season.

Dimitrijevic was fully fit and a player who constantly worried the opposition with his passing, vision and intelligence on the ball. He made 28 appearances and was never substituted, highlighting his importance to Arnold’s plans and attacking sequences. The Serbian also scored two goals, including his wonderful, long range effort against Brisbane Roar in the early part of the season.

Dimitrijevic was able to demonstrate his intelligent passing regularly throughout the season, finishing with a passing accuracy of 86.1%, translating to 1374 successful passes from 1596 attempts.

Compare these statistics to the league’s other premier midfielders, Mark Milligan and Luke Brattan, and it is clear why Arnold holds Dimitrijevic in high regard. Milligan had a passing accuracy of 82.5% (792/960 passes), significantly lower than Dimitrijevic. Brattan had a passing accuracy of 82.7% (1320/1597 passes).

Dimitrijevic’s skill set within Arnold’s structure clearly makes him a playmaker, and arguably the best in the league, further signifying his importance to Sydney. The primary role is to create attacking opportunities and turn defence into attack. In this regard, Dimitrijevic further highlights his attacking intelligence.

When you break down the direction of his passes, two things become clear. The first is that many of Dimitrijevic’s passes go forward, while the second highlights Sydney’s gameplay throughout 2014-15.

Dimitrijevic passed forward 33% of the time and to the right 32.1%. The latter statistic highlights Arnold’s preference to attack using the flanks. He passed to the left only 21.2% and completed 76.1% of his long passes.

Milligan favoured passing forward by a long way, where 39% of his passes went, followed by a fairly even distribution to his left (24.7%) and right (24.3%), while completing 60% of his long passes. Brattan favoured passing forward also, where 36.2% of his passes went, followed by passing to his left (31.5%) and then his right (22.6%), while completing 64.2% of his long passes.

Defensively speaking, Brattan leads the way, but not by much. It is arguable that Dimitrijevic is the next best at defensive duties.

Further, Dimitrijevic is also the clear creator of scoring opportunities. He generated 53 chances and provided four assists. Milligan created 15 opportunities and one assist, while Brattan created 20 opportunities and zero assists. This further underlines Dimitrijevic’s importance in Sydney’s attack. Arnold will be happy that he will now not have to get one of the new players accustomed to the important role the Serbian plays.

But, most fans will argue that Brisbane’s Thomas Broich is the league’s best player. So how does Dimitrijevic stack up against him?

Clearly Dimitrjevic was the better player in 2014-15, but in Broich’s defence, he was out injured for a part of the season.

The use of Dimitrijevic, Milligan and Brattan shows the different ways in which a defensive-midfielder can be utilised, but it also demonstrates the Sydney man’s all-round ability.

Comparatively speaking, Dimitrijevic is easily the league’s best player as it stands and Arnold was ecstatic with his return to the Sky Blues.

“Milos is a quality player,” Arnold said.

“His displays last season earned him the acclaim of his peers and fans and I believe he was one of the form players of the competition.”

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Sky Blue faithful should expect Dimitrijevic to once again be a first XI regular throughout the season. His experience will be vital, especially during the Asian Champions League.

“To have Milos back strengthens our midfield immensely as we need a lot of quality and depth with a heavy program, a lot of players away for Olyroo duty and the Asian Champions League matches, plus A-League,” added Arnold.

Dimitrijevic will return to the club in mid-August.

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