8 | Mateo Kovacic - 2023/24

[Blu1]

This guy is incredible. Supports Rodri & allows foden space to do his thing.

 

[mdj0520]

I know Chelsea are in a weird place ATM, but why the fuck did they sanction this deal?!

 

[OntarioBlue]

This guy is pure gold.

 

[Deyna18]

Looks like he has played for us for 3 years

 

[Tricky_Trev]

The most impressive thing in my opinion is how he’s avoided the trap a lot of players fall into when they first join City of over-thinking the ball retention and allowing it to alter their game and make them play too risk-free, through fear of being bollocked for losing possession. Kovacic is playing so many line-breaking passes, is producing so many line-breaking short dribbles etc, he’s taking all the risks we need from him to open up an opponent, and he’s just backing his ability to execute it. He’s playing his natural game immediately. And I don’t think it’s easy to do that straight away for City or, more specifically, for Pep.

 

[Crooked_rain]

Proper player. I was delighted when I knew we were getting him because I rate him highly.

Just has that bit of quality about him that is great on the eye and everything he does has a purpose like his little bursts into space

How seamless he had slotted into Pep's game shows how intelligent and player he is and will only keep getting better.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Yes.

 

[borassic]

Love his little one touches round the corner. He’s class

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

One of those players who gets even better when you watch them live. Superb.

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

Absolutely incredible tonight. Love his little bursts through the lines. Him and Rodri together in the double pivot is a great combo.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

Very good. Clearly settled in well.

 

[Dazzle84]

He's everything you want in that middle third, a proper midfield player who wouldn't have been out of place in the rough and tumble of 90s football, with the added bonus he's wearing black boots.

An absolutely superb signing

 

[EL APACHE TEVEZ]

Absolutely superb

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

I know Chelsea are in a weird place ATM, but why the fuck did they sanction this deal?!

They’ve spent about half a billion replacing him!

 

[Complex Simplicity]

Top performance. Can carry the ball so well.

 

[mccity]

And to think, this is how he's playing before he's fully settled in

 

[TrentGrisham]

He's making me eat my words. Good performance.

 

[FatedBlue77]

As I said he’s a superb player in deeper midfield areas. Not as a high 8. Let him get his feet dirty alongside Rodri and leave the creative responsibility to the other 8.

 

[youngbob]

Reminds me more of Bernardo than Gundogan, strangely. Has this aggression and tenacity to his game that Gundogan didn't really have. Gundogan was more about elegance and class - Kovacic just as intelligent and technical but he's just... grittier. I like him. He's got a loooong way to go to match Gundo, though, but he's off to a good start.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

I knew he was quality at Chelsea but I think this team will take him to a level we haven’t seen from him yet.

Rodri has found a new best mate too, they helped each other out so many times tonight.