8 | Mateo Kovacic - 2023/24

[kaz7]

I wonder why he's starting big games for us.

You said he wouldnt start , not good enough apparantly ..

 

[applejuice]

I wonder why Pep started him. He was poor in the previous two games. He was incredibly lazy on Madrid's first goal. There's a reason he wasn't starting 'big' games for his previous clubs,

Pep started him because KDB pulled out for illness - reported by journalists in the stadium.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

Obviously a player with lots of experience who Pep seemed very happy to sign, but tbh I have been a little disappointed with his performances overall.

Not really having watched his performances for Chelsea I don't know what his " norm " is, but I was expecting more from him.

Probably comparing him with Gundogan which is setting a high bar and perhaps he is a player who will show more given longer in the squad. Maybe unfair but he seems to slow things down too much.

 

[Jonas.shaffer]

You said he wouldnt start , not good enough apparantly ..

I think he's a good player and well-liked by the squad, but I don't think he should be starting for the best team in the world. He was extremely lazy on two of Madrid's goals yesterday.

 

[dennishasdoneit]

I wonder why Pep started him. He was poor in the previous two games. He was incredibly lazy on Madrid's first goal. There's a reason he wasn't starting 'big' games for his previous clubs,

Rubbish.

 

[Jonas.shaffer]

Rubbish.

In the first goal, he's just ball-watching and doesn't come to help Grealish close down on Camavinga. One is more debatable, as Grealish looked to Haaland as to why he hasn't closed down, but the second was far more egregious. Gvardiol is already occupied with an attacker, and Valverde was basically alone with Kovacic jogging back. I suppose you could put some blame on Pep for not making changes, but that's the way I see it.

 

[dennishasdoneit]

Obviously a player with lots of experience who Pep seemed very happy to sign, but tbh I have been a little disappointed with his performances overall.

Not really having watched his performances for Chelsea I don't know what his " norm " is, but I was expecting more from him.

Probably comparing him with Gundogan which is setting a high bar and perhaps he is a player who will show more given longer in the squad. Maybe unfair but he seems to slow things down too much.

1st season under Pep. Not a first team regular.

Reminds me of a young John McGovern at Derby County in the 70s.

Only his team mates really appreciate his unspectacular efforts.

Indifferent form is a by product of being in and out of the team...

Comparisons to Gundog are interesting to me; heard it all before in our past players debut season....one in which the player played nearly every game.
On balance ,I like Kova,a tidy player,who in my opinion has done ..remarkably well to return from a back injury to contribute to our 2nd treble advance,having already helped us win 2 trophies already this season.

A very important,team player.

 

[kaz7]

I think he's a good player and well-liked by the squad, but I don't think he should be starting for the best team in the world. He was extremely lazy on two of Madrid's goals yesterday.

You set out your stall on him pre match , he could have scored a hatrick and you would find a negative , i am convinced you are a wum or glory hunter

 

[grim up north]

In the first goal, he's just ball-watching and doesn't come to help Grealish close down on Camavinga. One is more debatable, as Grealish looked to Haaland as to why he hasn't closed down, but the second was far more egregious. Gvardiol is already occupied with an attacker, and Valverde was basically alone with Kovacic jogging back. I suppose you could put some blame on Pep for not making changes, but that's the way I see it.

To many big words

 

[supercity88]

In the first goal, he's just ball-watching and doesn't come to help Grealish close down on Camavinga. One is more debatable, as Grealish looked to Haaland as to why he hasn't closed down, but the second was far more egregious. Gvardiol is already occupied with an attacker, and Valverde was basically alone with Kovacic jogging back. I suppose you could put some blame on Pep for not making changes, but that's the way I see it.

He definitely should have done better with their third goal, but Vinicius never meant that ball to go where it did and Gvardiol probably should have moved to anticipate and block a shot rather than try to get to the ball. Kovacic had let Valverde go, but the effort and energy expended in a game like this it's natural for the odd error like that to creep in. It was the same for both sides from world class players. The first I don't blame him for. Grealish shouldn't be allowing Camavinga to advance that easily, and Rodri was in a central position and could have stepped out to close the space as well but didn't. One of those things. Shit shot, massive deflection.

He was tidy on the ball, played between the lines well and is a very good squad addition who has room to improve. He's never going to replace Gundogan directly, but Gundo wasn't a player I ever expected to be as good in the final third when we signed him. He was a deep lying playmaker and it was only when injuries led to a more advanced role that Pep saw the potential in him.