Kolarov Named to Serbia World Cup Squad

It’s testament to his intensity, his professionalism and, let’s face it, sheer quality that even the most strident of Roma fans seldom mentioned Aleksandar Kolarov’s Lazio past. Kolarov, you may recall, punched the time clock for the sky blue side of Rome for three seasons before moving to Manchester City during the summer of 2010. After seven seasons and nearly 250 appearances (all comps), the Citizens decided they’d seen enough of Kolarov, putting his solid if not spectacular career temporarily on hold.

While Kolarov wasn’t the first, and certainly won’t be the last, viable asset deemed depleted by an English club, he was only 31-years-old (at the time) and was fresh off a season in which he logged over 30 appearances for City, nearly 90% of which were starts. Sure, Roma weren’t getting a spring chicken for their €5 million, but surely he had some life left in his legs, right?

Well, 47 appearances, 3 goals and 11 assists later, it’s safe to say we have our answer. Kolarov was an absolute revelation for Roma this season, providing the solid two-way play we haven’t seen in ages around the Eternal City.

While it remains to be seen if he can keep up that pace for the remaining two years on his Roma contract, in the here and now he’s arguably the best left back in the league, one who now officially has a busy summer on his hands.

There’s Kolarov, front and center with his 22 national teammates, primed and ready to take over Russia. Kolarov will be joined by former Roma forward Adem Ljajic and Lazio’s €100 million man, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Given how much he means to EDF’s side, you probably wouldn’t have been too bummed had Kolarov missed out on the World Cup, but it’s certainly an honor he deserves.