8 | Mateo Kovacic - 2023/24

[Dax777]

Joint most tackles, best pass completion %, 2nd most touches.

He was tidy, kept the ball moving and allowed Rodri more freedom. We look so much better, especially defensively/control wise with a midfielder(or Stones)in there next to Rodri

Rodri/Kova, Rodri/Bernie and to a lesser extent, Rodri/Stones all work decently well as a base 2.

Wow-such polar opinions.

Got to admit I'm not a fan.
Bang average at best. But to some he's wonderful.

Sure. But how did he do today? That's the relevant question.

 

[blue ranger]

I thought our midfield was the best it has been for weeks and I was happy with the Kovavic performance. Solid I thought.

 

[Semper aggressus]

Thought he did ok today.

 

[OB1]

What does kovacic do??! Has no end product in the final 3rd, and defensively doesn’t seem to offer anything… can pass sideways yes and dribble occasionally well but we already have one passenger in the squad being grealish, can’t have 2. Enlighten me what am I missing I have never seen the hype in this guy.

Just go and watch a different sport.

 

[OB1]

Kovacic is a very good player. He’s one of those midfield players that helps knit things together. As some have already pointed out, he works well alongside Rodri as a double pivot; what he is not is the kind of attacking creative force that Gundogan was: he is different.

He played well today and is getting back to the form he showed at the start of the season.

 

[burning blue soul]

I'm really not sure what role he plays in the team. Seems to be a jack of all trades, but master of none.
I see him do stuff, but I don't see an impact.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

Rodri/Kova, Rodri/Bernie and to a lesser extent, Rodri/Stones all work decently well as a base 2.

Sure. But how did he do today? That's the relevant question.

Poor

 

[chris85mcfc]

I'm really not sure what role he plays in the team. Seems to be a jack of all trades, but master of none.
I see him do stuff, but I don't see an impact.

Plenty of people used to say that same about Gundogan, until he started adding a few goals to his game.

Kovacic just keeps the ball ticking over and always shows for the ball. He isn't overly pretty, but he's a foil for Rodri to take the ball and then give it him back.

He's basically what Pep was hoping Rico would be when playing in that position, and in fairness Rico did a decent job at times but just doesn't have the expertise for the role.

 

[waspish]

I'm really not sure what role he plays in the team. Seems to be a jack of all trades, but master of none.
I see him do stuff, but I don't see an impact.

Control and recycler of the ball

 

[Tevez City]

Rodri/Kova, Rodri/Bernie and to a lesser extent, Rodri/Stones all work decently well as a base 2.

Sure. But how did he do today? That's the relevant question.

He isn't creating any chances or posing any offensive threat.