8 | Mateo Kovacic - 2023/24

[BLUEisville]

25 million + add ons was an outrageous bit of business for him. He’s going to fit this team like a glove

 

[I'm With Stupid]

Never gave the ball away. Always available for passes. Seemed to know where to be to help other players out. Great signing.

 

[hilts]

Tidy is the perfect description of his game. Not sure how much we will need him and rodri in a lot of games against brick wall defences. Maybe he will play instead of Rodri in some games.

 

[citytill1die84]

Very solid performance.

 

[simon23]

Solid but where does he fit in when KDB and Foden start?

 

[city warrior]

Solid but where does he fit in when KDB and Foden start?

For me Foden/KDB are offensive and creative enough that Rodri/Kovacic tandem would bring great retention, physicality and ability to push forward and gain 15-20m to balance our game.

 

[BLUEisville]

Solid but where does he fit in when KDB and Foden start?

Horses for courses I think. Given todays performance he’s probably on the bench or rotating with Rodri against the parked bus, lower level teams where we don’t need the retention.

But against teams that actually try to play us, I think the double pivot came back with Juanma - and he’ll be perfect in that role.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

He's a lovely player. I think he'll end up playing a lot deeper for us, as more of a 6 than an 8.

It wouldn't surprise me if Pep's plan for resting/covering Stones is to move Rodri into his role and play Kovacic as the 6. So Kovacic effectively rotates with both Rodri and Stones.

As above. Perfect sitting next to Rodri, but probably don't need both in most games.

Means we don't have to flog Rodri again, Kova will slot in beautifully.

 

[RayCTID]

A good performance will definitely prove a very useful signing over the course of the season.

 

[eastmanc]

His passing in tight spaces was excellent.