8 | Mateo Kovacic - 2025/26

[Kippax Street 1880]

He's come back looking like he has a lot to offer. I wonder if that surgery he had sorted a niggle that was effecting him a while and he might be about to have a real Indian Summer. Definitely keep for next season, his experience will be invaluable and he's a winner. That's worth more than the negligible fee we would receive for him.

 

[Dax777]

As I’ve said, I’ve no problem with him remaining and seeing out his contract. However, I’m just slightly concerned that Guardiola might become overly reliant on both Kovacic and Rodri next season.

Nah! Rodri would be first choice obviously. But Kova would be a backup. At this point, they are the new John and Ake. Can do a job but injury is always around the corner.

 

[Bill Walker]

I seriously doubt he goes anywhere next season, especially if pep stays. He loves him and he'll get plenty of game time regardless of signings especially with Bernardo going.

Seems Nico G is toast (unfortunately) and reminders should be out the door before kovacic (but won't be).

Why is Nico toast mate?

 

[Gabriel]

Nah! Rodri would be first choice obviously. But Kova would be a backup. At this point, they are the new John and Ake. Can do a job but injury is always around the corner.

Indeed. That is one reason why I would be wary of carrying both into the next season.

 

[supercity88]

Came on and injected some pace into our passing from midfield. He still has a bad habit of carrying the ball into crowded areas but overall that zip to his passing through the lines was what we needed.

 

[bondsman]

He was shite tonight. Wasn’t alone but I simply don’t think he’s more than a sub. Needs upgrading ideally. Couldn’t get near Scott.

 

[ninjamonkey]

That was his second start of the season. Should be no surprise to anyone that he wasn't up to speed with the best tempo setters in the league. He missed about the same amount of time as Rodri, were we as critical of his second start upon his return?

 

[City_Sean]

That was his second start of the season. Should be no surprise to anyone that he wasn't up to speed with the best tempo setters in the league. He missed about the same amount of time as Rodri, were we as critical of his second start upon his return?

He's 32 coming off the back of an injury hit season.

He's got to go. He's good in the middle third of the pitch but completely ineffective in the other two thirds.

 

[Mr HJ]

If ever there was an age 30+ Kovacic performance tonight was it. He played some wonderful through balls but sadly for every good pass he got caught on the ball by not feeling a player pressing him. Players like David Silva who even at age 30+ would sense where an opponent was and use body position to turn away and keep the ball - unfortunately as he ages Matteo is nowhere near that.

I really think he would be great in a different league, one that is a little slower. I like him but we cannot just have him replace Bernie. I would sell and say thanks mate.

 

[Ajm1985]

That was his second start of the season. Should be no surprise to anyone that he wasn't up to speed with the best tempo setters in the league. He missed about the same amount of time as Rodri, were we as critical of his second start upon his return?

More judge the idea to start him, particularly as Rodri aint fully match fit

 

[Trojan1962]

Not fully fit and should have been subbed at half time

 

[Blue Hefner]

If ever there was an age 30+ Kovacic performance tonight was it. He played some wonderful through balls but sadly for every good pass he got caught on the ball by not feeling a player pressing him. Players like David Silva who even at age 30+ would sense where an opponent was and use body position to turn away and keep the ball - unfortunately as he ages Matteo is nowhere near that.

I really think he would be great in a different league, one that is a little slower. I like him but we cannot just have him replace Bernie. I would sell and say thanks mate.

He’s got the Turkish league written all over him

 

[DTKOAG]

To be fair his performance was better than Rodri’s tonight

 

[Brewster's millions]

Might be a bit harsh given that he’s still coming back from a challenging injury and has basically missed a whole season.

But, being honest, him, Reijnders and Gonzalez aren’t good enough to play in the middle for an elite side. Certainly not regularly in the first XI. And yet we’ve got all three of them in the squad.

Kind of sums up where we are at the moment and highlights where we need to make a big improvement in the summer.

 

[Dax777]

Better than Rodri or Bernie today. Too bad he cant last the whole game. But, on performance, he should have been kept on and the other 2 pulled.

 

[denTTony]

He has some good touches but he is slow and gets caught too often in centre of the field, time for him to move on

 

[madloaf]

Should be the last game he plays for us. No slight, but he's not the answer to anything and never has been (except for who can chat with gvardiol)

 

[Gabriel]

When interviewed on the pitch after the Cup final, he mentioned that ‘we will really miss these guys (Silva and Stones) next season’ in a manner that did not make me think he was heading for the same exit door.

 

[Stelea]

Summed Kova up on Sunday 2nd half. He did a great bit of work in his own box, side stepping one Villa attacker, dribbling around another to just outside the box and then with a pass on into midfield he tried to take on another and lost the ball plunging us straight back into trouble when we should have been down the other end.

 

[kingn6]

I think we should keep him for another season. If Rodri, Nico and Bernie leaves we need someone who is experienced and he is great as a back up.